Signs and Power - Dr Joel Lai

𝗚𝗼𝗱 𝗶𝘀 𝗾𝘂𝗶𝗲𝘁𝗹𝘆 𝗺𝗮𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗿𝗼𝗼𝗺 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗝𝗲𝘀𝘂𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗯𝗲 𝗸𝗻𝗼𝘄𝗻, 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘄𝗲 𝗺𝗮𝘆 𝘁𝗿𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗳𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗼𝘄 𝗛𝗶𝗺 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗻 𝗮𝗺𝗶𝗱𝘀𝘁 𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗼𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗴𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗳.

Matthew 2 gives an account of Jesus’ birth through a miraculous star, pointing to a divine and prophetic sign for heaven. King Herod was deeply troubled and want the infant to be killed. Through prompting of an angel, Joseph obey and bring Mary and infant Jesus to flee.

Joseph’s obedience in every act is making room for his life for the presence and purpose of God to work through him. By obeying, he is making space for Jesus to grow, to be protected, to fulfill his calling to the earth. Obedience create space for the kingdom of God to take room even it is costly and require sacrifice. It require to surrender control and trust God with he outcome that is not yet revealed. It may be harder in that moment but become a doorway for God’s purpose to be fulfilled.

For Jesus, he grew up in Nazareth, a place known for its insignificant, a humble house and a carpenter father that the world would overlooked. Jesus who is also God’s son by nature, is faithful to His wilderness. Jesus trusted and rescued people by standing in a place of scapegoat. God protected and preserved Jesus for His people so that His promise can run its full course.

God make room for His son so that through Him, there will be room for many sons and daughters to come to His kingdom. It is the power of God to create room for salvation for hardened heart, impossible situation, broken stories for His son to be known, loved and trusted.