Spoken Word no. 212

“Christ rejected, the birth of Jesus”

Brian Kocourek, Pastor

December 19th, 2010

 

The Spoken word is the original Seed pp. 101 Christ's bride did the same: mixed her denominational seed and put Christ, her espoused Husband, away. And you dry-washed bunch of Pentecostals; what's the matter with you? Revelations the 3rd chapter and the 20th verse, we find in prophecy, Jesus Christ outside of His own church in this Laodicean Age, knocking on the door trying to get back, the most pathetic picture in the Bible.

 

Another pathetic scene we see is concerning the birth of Jesus because he too in that hour when He came into the world, was put out and could find no respectable place to be taken into? Therefore this evening I would like to take a look at the physical birth of the Eldest born brother in a vast family of brothers, namely the birth of Jesus the Christ.

 

Now, let’s turn to the book of Luke to further examine the scene as it was for the birth of Jesus Christ. Luke 1:5 There was in the days of Herod, the king of Judaea, a certain priest named Zacharias, of the course of Abia: and his wife was of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elisabeth. 6  And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord, blameless. 7  And they had no child, because that Elisabeth was barren, and they both were now well stricken in years. 8  And it came to pass, that while he executed the priest's office before God in the order of his course, 9  According to the custom of the priest's office, his lot was to burn incense when he went into the temple of the Lord. 10  And the whole multitude of the people were praying without at the time of incense. 11  And there appeared unto him an angel of the Lord standing on the right side of the altar of incense. 12  And when Zacharias saw him, he was troubled, and fear fell upon him. 13  But the angel said unto him, Fear not, Zacharias: for thy prayer is heard; and thy wife Elisabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John. 14  And thou shalt have joy and gladness; and many shall rejoice at his birth. 15  For he shall be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink; and he shall be filled with the Holy Ghost, even from his mother's womb. 16  And many of the children of Israel shall he turn to the Lord their God. 17  And he shall go before him in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just; to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.  18  And Zacharias said unto the angel, Whereby shall I know this? for I am an old man, and my wife well stricken in years.

 

Now, listen, Zacharias was considered righteous by God along with his Wife, and we already saw how they lived a blameless life before men and God, yet we find in his questioning to the Lord a sort of an attitude in the way he spoke to the angel Gabriel. Because although the word “whereby” which was translated from the Greek word, “kata” means “in what manner”? Yet it must not have been the words themselves that he used but in the way that he used them, for in the use of these words, Gabriel took note and said in reply, 19  And the angel answering said unto him, I am Gabriel, that stand in the presence of God; and am sent to speak unto thee, and to shew thee these glad tidings. 20  And, behold, thou shalt be dumb, and not able to speak, until the day that these things shall be performed, because thou believest not my words, which shall be fulfilled in their season.

 

Now, this was not the Lord Himself but a Messenger from the Lord, Gabriel. So his decision to shut Zacharias mouth was not based on discernment of his heart, but on what he said, period. Perhaps being it was the way he said it, it shows he might of needed an attitude adjustment. Let’s read it again what and how he said what he said. 18  And Zacharias said unto the angel, Whereby shall I know this? for I am an old man, and my wife well stricken in years. Now, in our Greek and Hebrew Dictionary it says of this word, “kata” that in composition it frequently denotes opposition, distribution, or intensity.

 

The NIV translation says: Zechariah asked the angel, “how can I be sure of this? I’m an old man and my wife is well along in years.”

 

The Message translation says: 18 Zachariah said to the angel, “do you expect me to believe this? I’m and old man and my wife is an old woman.”

 

So perhaps Zacharias just popped off at Gabriel, not in so much a denial of what he was told, but perhaps in a way that was disrespectful of what he was told. The words may have been quite sharp or perhaps had some intensity to them as the Greek word suggests, because although brother Zacharias was a righteous man, yet it seems here that perhaps he was a bit mouthy or perhaps a bit too aggressive with the angel Gabriel, and in speaking the way that he did it got him into some hot water. In other words, the angel Gabriel did not like hearing what he heard from Zacharias, so in essence he tells him here that he is going to shut his mouth for him.  20  And, behold, thou shalt be dumb, and not able to speak, until the day that these things shall be performed, because thou believest not my words, which shall be fulfilled in their season.

 

21  And the people waited for Zacharias, and marvelled that he tarried so long in the temple. 22  And when he came out, he could not speak unto them: and they perceived that he had seen a vision in the temple: for he beckoned unto them, and remained speechless. 23  And it came to pass, that, as soon as the days of his ministration were accomplished, he departed to his own house. 24  And after those days his wife Elisabeth conceived, and hid herself five months, saying, 25  Thus hath the Lord dealt with me in the days wherein he looked on me, to take away my reproach among men. 26  And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth, 27  To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin's name was Mary. 28  And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favored, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women.  29  And when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be.

 

Now, to this point we do not see anything here that shows Mary behaved any differently from Zachariah when at the first sight of the presence of the angel Gabriel.   30  And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favor with God. 31  And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS. 32  He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: 33  And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end. 34  Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man?

 

Now, notice Mary’s question. She said How shall this be, seeing I know not a man? Now, the word “Howwas translated from the Greek word posmeans, “in what manner” from a manner of curiosity, of wanting to know. So although they both said basically how can this be? Yet the way he said it was with intensity and from an almost sarcastic manner whereas, hers was a question showing surprise and wanting to understand basically the question “Why Me?”. Yet when the angel answers her question, her reply is not like Zachariah’s sarcastic manner, but rather she shows excitements as to say “well, then I’m, ready, so bring it on”, as we will soon see. 35  And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God. 36  And, behold, thy cousin Elisabeth, she hath also conceived a son in her old age: and this is the sixth month with her, who was called barren. 37  For with God nothing shall be impossible. 38  And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her.

 

Notice the few words Mary says in the presence of the angel Gabriel. Words of respect and obedience.

 

39  And Mary arose in those days, and went into the hill country with haste, into a city of Juda; 40  And entered into the house of Zacharias, and saluted Elisabeth. 41  And it came to pass, that, when Elisabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb; and Elisabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost: 42  And she spake out with a loud voice, and said, Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb. 43  And whence is this to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? 44  For, lo, as soon as the voice of thy salutation sounded in mine ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy. 45  And blessed is she that believed: for there shall be a performance of those things which were told her from the Lord.   In other words, those things the Lord has spoken shall come to pass.

 

Now, remember Mary’s few words in the presence of the angel Gabriel? Now, compare them in the presence of her cousin Elisabeth. She doesn’t just listen to Elisabeth quietly, but in response to what Elisabeth has said, she is rejoices and with many words she praises the Lord. Now, here is the thing I want you to see. Mary had a great deal of respect and reverence in the presence of the angel and her response showed that, while her response to what Elisabeth had to say is very open and full of rejoicing, and less subdued.

 

46  And Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord, 47  And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour. 48  For he hath regarded the low estate of his handmaiden: for, behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed. 49  For he that is mighty hath done to me great things; and holy is his name. 50  And his mercy is on them that fear him from generation to generation. 51  He hath shewed strength with his arm; he hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts. 52  He hath put down the mighty from their seats, and exalted them of low degree. 53  He hath filled the hungry with good things; and the rich he hath sent empty away. 54  He hath helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy; 55  As he spake to our fathers, to Abraham, and to his seed for ever.

 

56  And Mary abode with elisabeth about three months, and returned to her own house. 57  Now Elisabeth's full time came that she should be delivered; and she brought forth a son. 58  And her neighbours and her cousins heard how the Lord had shewed great mercy upon her; and they rejoiced with her. 59  And it came to pass, that on the eighth day they came to circumcise the child; and they called him Zacharias, after the name of his father. 60  And his mother answered and said, Not so; but he shall be called John. 61  And they said unto her, There is none of thy kindred that is called by this name. 62  And they made signs to his father, how he would have him called. 63  And he asked for a writing table, and wrote, saying, His name is John. And they marvelled all. 64  And his mouth was opened immediately, and his tongue loosed, and he spake, and praised God. 65  And fear came on all that dwelt round about them: and all these sayings were noised abroad throughout all the hill country of Judaea.  66  And all they that heard them laid them up in their hearts, saying, What manner of child shall this be! And the hand of the Lord was with him. 67  And his father Zacharias was filled with the Holy Ghost, and prophesied, saying, 68  Blessed be the Lord God of Israel; for he hath visited and redeemed his people, 69  And hath raised up an horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David; 70  As he spake by the mouth of his holy prophets, which have been since the world began: 71  That we should be saved from our enemies, and from the hand of all that hate us; 72  To perform the mercy promised to our fathers, and to remember his holy covenant; 73  The oath which he sware to our father Abraham, 74  That he would grant unto us, that we being delivered out of the hand of our enemies might serve him without fear, 75  In holiness and righteousness before him, all the days of our life. 76  And thou, child, shalt be called the prophet of the Highest: for thou shalt go before the face of the Lord to prepare his ways; 77  To give knowledge of salvation unto his people by the remission of their sins, 78  Through the tender mercy of our God; whereby the dayspring from on high hath visited us, 79  To give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace. 80  And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, and was in the deserts till the day of his shewing unto Israel.

 

So we have seen the preparation for the coming of the son of God and all the excitement in the camp concerning the birth of his cousin John. But notice that when John came forth there were many people in joyous expectation, and with excitement, and Elisabeth was not without much companionship in her time of delivery. But let’s look now at the lonely pregnancy of Mary and the atmosphere that surrounded her in her time of preparation for the coming of her son Jesus, the Son of God. I want you to see how different things were for this young girl.

 

To do so lets turn in our Bibles first to Matthew 1:18 to get a little back ground for our story.

 

Matthew 1:18  Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost. 19  Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a publick example, was minded to put her away privily. 20  But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.  21  And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.  22  Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, 23  Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.  24  Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife: 25  And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name JESUS.

 

Can you imagine the social pressure on Mary? She was pregnant, and in there custom being pregnant without a husband, she was looked down upon by almost everyone who saw her and let’s face it, how do you hide that condition?

 

She was engaged to Joseph, and when she started to show, he saw her condition, and so did everyone else, and that put pressure on him as well. Either he had pre marital union with her, or else she was a little slut who got herself pregnant, so he had his reputation being bombarded all day long as well as her own. And try explaining to someone that the bay you are carrying didn’t come from physical union. I can imagine the first few times she told people what had happened the expression on their face must have caused he a lot of inner pain. Just like it causes you when you told people about what you believe in this hour, that God has sent a prophet in this hour to deliver a Bride for a rapture.

 

Why the people think your nuts, and so they thought she was nuts as well, until she begin to show, and when she did then they thought for certain she had been trying to cover up fornication.

 

From his sermon Expectation 61-0205M P:50 brother Branham spoke of the atmosphere that Mary had to carry little Jesus in.I can see Simeon setting back there. And all at once now little Mary comes into the building. I can see all the other women keeping a distance. I guess you born again people know what I mean. She was standing there. The women keep their distance, say, "See that woman there... she's had that baby out of holy wedlock. Her and Joseph was just married a couple months ago and she was already to be mother before it was born. She was to be mother before she was wed, rather. See? That's an illegitimate child. Look at her packing that illegitimate child in the temple of God. Keep away from her." (That's the way real believers... ) But Mary, holding that little Baby in her arms... Maybe it was in swaddling cloth with... off the yoke of an ox's yoke in the stable. Maybe it was, but in her heart she knew Whose Son that was. That's the way with every believer. You know the doctor might say, "Oh, don't believe that fanaticism." Your mother might say it, your husband might say it, your wife might say it, but you know when something's been born in your heart. God's revealed it to you. You're expecting something to happen. Don't go down to that church. You don't need to go into there.” It's all right. You'll come just the same if something's in there. See? "Oh, they're a bunch of holy rollers." That don't make any difference what you call them. It might be... their swaddling... might be pretty common, but anyhow I know what's wrapped in it. I know what's wrapped in Pentecostal swaddling. Yes, sir. I know we got everything in it, but yet there's... the Holy Spirit's wrapped in that, too. It's exactly. Packing it in her arms like this... She didn't care what the rest of them... They all kept their distance. Whenever you get the Holy Ghost, you're marked. Everybody, they mark you. They know. They know it. Say, "Ah, she's one of them people speaks in tongues; she goes to that Pentecostal group. Stay away from her. Don't invite her over to the card party." Don't worry, if she's got the Holy Ghost she wouldn't go anyhow.

 

Way of a true prophet 62-0513M P:121 You start looking at me, well, you just have plenty. And you could about looking at the Lord Jesus, you can find plenty. Look at Him just a minute. I'm going to put each one of you a minister. Now, we're going to forget He ever was on earth. Here's a boy that's proven the whole nation over, that He's a bastard-born child; His mother had Him before her and His father was ever married; it's proven. Now, they're not going to the Word, "A virgin shall conceive"; they're just going to what they hear. Uh-huh. See?” A illegitimate child: didn't they tell Him He was born in sin and try to teach them? See?

 

So Joseph continued with his engagement with Mary and between the two of them they share her shame,  the shame of being so far along in pregnancy yet not being married. And so we pick up the story and thus the atmosphere further in  Luke 2:1  And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed. 2  (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.) 3  And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city. 4  And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:) 5  To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.  6  And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. 7  And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.

 

Now, I don’t know if there was no rooms available or not, because it was obvious they were not yet married and yet she was very pregnant. So perhaps this is why there were no rooms. You see how evil it is to make judgments based on what you see and hear alone.

Did not Jesus tell us “judge not according to appearance but judge righteous judgment”?

 

So we find at the time of the Second coming, he is on the outside knocking trying to gain entrance is actually the Omega of the Alpha. In other words, when he came on earth the first time, there was no room open to him, and when he came to earth this time, there also was no room for him, and he is locked out again, “the rejected Word” made flesh again, rejected as it was back 2,000 years ago.

 

When we have times when we feel all but deserted by our long time friends because of things that we believe and that God is doing in our lives, yet because those things are not part of their lives, they can not see what we’re going through and they think in their own minds things that are not pleasant toward you. But don’t you worry, you are just walking in the footsteps of your eldest brother.

 

You know God doesn’t deal with groups any longer, he deals with individuals. And when God deals with you don’t expect others to understand unless they have been through something similar themselves. Because  the way of the new birth and born again ones is very strange to the average person. Jesus said to Nicodemus, John 3:7  Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.  8  The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.

 

So too is everyone who follows the Lord from their heart and soul, not so much their church, but their heart and soul.

 

Isaiah 53:1  Who hath believed our report? and to whom is the arm of the LORD revealed?  2  For he shall grow up before him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground: he hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him. 3  He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not.  4  Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. 5  But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.  6  All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.  7  He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth. 8  He was taken from prison and from judgment: and who shall declare his generation? for he was cut off out of the land of the living: for the transgression of my people was he stricken.  9  And he made his grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death; because he had done no violence, neither was any deceit in his mouth.  10  Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in his hand.  11  He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities.12  Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he hath poured out his soul unto death: and he was numbered with the transgressors; and he bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.

 

And the same thing it is prophesied to be in this day. Remember, every seed must bring forth after the nature of the original seed, and so must we come as Christ Jesus came.  

 

Now, Luke 17:20  speaks of this hour when the Kingdom of God is to come into full view.

Luke 17:20 And when he was demanded of the Pharisees, when the kingdom of God should come, he answered them and said, The kingdom of God cometh not with observation: 21  Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you. 22  And he said unto the disciples, The days will come, when ye shall desire to see one of the days of the Son of man, and ye shall not see it.23  And they shall say to you, See here; or, see there: go not after them, nor follow them.24  For as the lightning, that lighteneth out of the one part under heaven, shineth unto the other part under heaven; so shall also the Son of man be in his day.25  But first must he suffer many things, and be rejected of this generation.

 

This day this scripture 65-0219 P:7 Now, tonight I want to call your attention to a portion of God's Word found in the 4th chapter of St. Luke the 4th chapter and the 16th verse it will begin, Jesus speaking. This day is this Word fulfilled in your ears. Now, we want to draw from that a conclusion of how dynamic is the Word of God. Now, we all can figure out the mechanics, but it takes the dynamics to make it work. We can figure out what the mechanics of a machine (automobile), but then it takes the dynamics to make the wheels go to operating and moving. Now, Jesus had returned to Nazareth where He was brought up. On down in the Scriptures here we find that they said, "We heard you did such and such over in Capernaum; now let us see you do it here in your own country." Jesus said, "A prophet is not without honor except in his own country." And of course, that's where you're brought up at and where people know you. And there He had a bad name to begin with by Him being born without an earthly father. They called Him a illegitimate child, that Mary was actually pregnant before she married officially, Joseph. But that isn't so; we know it isn't so.

 

Is your life worthy 63-0630E P:55 Israel didn't believe that that bunch of people, that mad Man by the Name of Jesus of Nazareth, born, they thought, an illegitimate birth... And the people believed it, because they said that wasn't His... "Why, his father is Joseph, and Mary was to have this baby before he was even born. Why, it's illegitimate. And what is he, just a mad man. He's one of them funny sort of a guys. Don't go to hear him." What did they do? They were sending their souls to hell. Jesus said, “Let them alone. If the blind leads the blind, don't they both fall in the ditch?” That's right. They didn't know it. They wouldn't believe it. They could not. They could not see how that a simple people with a simple Message to be rejected, could cause a great nation to fall to ruins. Now, listen! They could not understand that a simple, ordinary, common bunch of people... You know, the Bible said that the common people heard Jesus gladly.

 

So have a blessed Christmas everyone, and remember, this was not a time of merriment and celebration, but rather the birth of Jesus Christ was a time of great difficulty for Mary and Joseph because of the revelation they had within them that Christ was being formed in their flesh, literally. As the Apostle Paul said, in Galatians 4: 19  My little children, of whom I travail in birth again until Christ be formed in you, and travail is not fun, it’s hard labor.

 

Let’s bow our heads and hearts in prayer.