A Morning Cup of Tea: The Lineage of Jesus

Good morning and happy Veterans Day to you. My gratitude and deep respect, not only for the service members themselves, but also the families who have celebrated or postponed birthdays, holidays and other happy occasions, who don't get to kiss their loved ones hello or goodbye every day, for those who had to sit or stand as they received news that a son or husband gave their all to this country.  I am the daughter of a retired Army serviceman, the  great something daughter of one who served in the Federal military during the war between the states, the wife of a husband who gave ten years to his country and would gladly have given more. While he never went to war, he was willing to do so. May God bless all our service men and women and their families.
  Now, why do I mention our veterans in a post reserved usually for the life and legacy of Jesus?  While Jesus was not in the military for his country, he was at war. He gave his life so that we may live. Our military give their time and sometimes lives for our freedoms; Jesus gave his life for our very souls.  And because of the freedom of choice which comes not from our government but from our heavenly Father, we have the choice to accept that most precious gift, or to set it aside and say, no thank you in word or deed.
  Today, in verses 21 to the end of chapter three in Luke, the beloved physician Luke tells of the beginning of Jesus' ministry as an adult. He was about 30 years of age, and had been baptized by John the baptizer. Verse 22 is a wonderful testament:
  22. And the Holy Ghost descended in a bodily shape like a dove upon him, and a voice came from heaven,  which said: Thou art my  beloved Son; in thee I am well pleased.
  The bible does not say whether there were witnesses to Jesus' baptism. But can you imagine the awe one would have being a witness to this? Wow.
  The rest of the chapter goes into the genealogy of Jesus, from Joseph's family line. One would expect the lineage to go back as far as David, but Luke traces the family all the way back to Adam. This is very impressive because no one living can do that anymore. although we know that if we could go back that far, we would all find Adam and Eve in our family history. Truth be told, I skimmed through the genealogy and will have to go back and re read it to fully appreciate it. I hope you take the time to read the chapter. Have a wonderful day.

A Morning Cup of Tea: John Teaches Baptism

Good morning! I've been MIA for a few days because of illness.  Still not one hundred percent yet but I'm able to sit up for longer periods of time. But I'm not here to whine about being sick, hee hee.
 Today we begin chapter three of the book of Luke. Jesus' cousin John was living in the wilderness and preaching baptism of repentence for the remission of sins (v3).
  Many came forth to be baptised by John, and they would ask him how they should live. His answer was if you have two coats, give one to someone who has none. If you have food, share with someone who has none. To publicans (tax collectors) who came to be baptised he told them, only collect what is appointed to you (tax collectors at the time had a reputation of gathering more than they should, and fattening their own wallets). To soldiers, he said do no violence to anyone;  don't falsely accuse people..  Be content with what you have.  In other words, treat others with kindness. Don't take what isn't yours. Don't be violent, don't bear false witness, and don't covet. Good advice for any person, and it comes from the scriptures.
 Not everyone was happy with John's teachings, however.  After baptizing Jesus he was imprisoned because Herod was angry with him. John had told him he was wrong for marrying his brother Philip's wife, among other things.