The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

Matthew 2:13-18, “Now when they had departed, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream, saying, ‘Arise and take the Child and His mother, and flee to Egypt, and remain there until I tell you; for Herod is going to search for the Child to destroy Him.’

14 And he arose and took the Child and His mother by night, and departed for Egypt;

15 and was there until the death of Herod, that what was spoken by the Lord through the prophet might be fulfilled, saying, ‘Out of Egypt did I call My Son.’

16 Then when Herod saw that he had been tricked by the magi, he became very enraged, and sent and slew all the male children who were in Bethlehem and in all its environs, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had ascertained from the magi.

17 Then that which was spoken through Jeremiah the prophet was fulfilled, saying,

18 ‘A voice was heard in Ramah, Weeping and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children; And she refused to be comforted, because they were no more.’”

It makes me so mad when I’m in the middle of a good dream and wake up before it is finished! Ever had an experience like that? I’m sure you have. The word “dream” appears in 88 verses of the Bible. It includes

Abimelech (Gen 20:3), Jacob (Gen 28:12), Laban (Gen 31:24), Joseph (Gen 37:5), Pharaoh (Gen 41:1),

Gideon (Jdg 7:13), Solomon (1Kg 3:5), False prophets (Jer 23:25), Nebuchadnezzar (Dan 2:3), Daniel (Dan 7:1), Joseph, Mary’s husband (Mat 1:20), the Magi (Mat 1:12), and Pilate’s wife (Mat 27:19).

Not all of those dreams were good, but the point is that the LORD sometimes speaks to people in dreams. When He spoke to Joseph, telling him to take Mary and Jesus to Egypt for safety, Joseph had every reason to believe Him because of what He had said and done in the past. Why is it not like that with us? We have seen the LORD’s Hand working in and for our lives before; but, when He speaks to us again, we shudder and fumble and argue within ourselves as to whether we should obey. Shame on us! Joseph didn’t do that. And he had a lot more at stake than we because the care of the Christchild was his responsibility.

The message of the LORD was clear: get out of town (Bethlehem)! God to Egypt, and stay there until I tell you otherwise, because Herod will search for the Child to destroy Him. Satan has always put it into the hearts of men to destroy the work of the LORD. Christianity has historically been under attack. Missionaries have been killed by those they sought to bring to faith in Christ. Pastors have been attacked in the satanic effort to defame and destroy the message of salvation. True and godly people in all walks of life are constantly bullied because of their faith. Sometimes, the message of the LORD is to run.

In the meantime, Herod gave orders to slay all male children two years old and under, who were in Bethlehem and the surrounding territory. How many were senselessly slaughtered under Herod’s furious directive is not told us; yet his satanic intention was clear: destroy the Messiah, lest he live to reach the Cross, wherein salvation is readied for all mankind.

In all of this evil carnage that raged agains the young Child Jesus, an Old Testament prophecy was fulfilled. Jeremiah had said, “A voice was heard in Ramah (a city north of Jerusalem)…Rachel weeping for her children; and she refused to be comforted, because they were no more.” The fulfillment of the prophecy is of greater concern that even the lives of those young Jewish children. It demonstrates that the LORD’s will supersedes the will of all others! Herod dies, and there is yet another dream that will come to Joseph.

Let your life always be lived by faith in the LORD! Nothing can discourage those who are focused on Him! He is our All-in-All!

We lovingly think and pray for you as we rejoice in the LORD’s blessings,

Nana & Dado III

(Rose Marie & Gene)

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.

Springdale, Arkansas 72764

United States of America

“We never know that God is all we need

until He becomes all that we have.”

Dear Grands,

Matthew 2:9-12, “And having heard the king, they went their way; and lo, the star, which they had seen in the east, went on before them, until it came and stood over where the Child was.

10 And when they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy.

11 And they came into the house and saw the Child with Mary His mother; and they fell down and worshiped Him; and opening their treasures they presented to Him gifts of gold and frankincense and myrrh.

12 And having been warned by God in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed for their own country by another way.”

King Herod thought he had successfully deceived the magi, when he told them to find Jesus and return and reveal to him the Child’s whereabouts. Being wise, they may have detected the deceit in Herod’s mind. In any event, upon leaving they saw again the star which had guided them thus far, and determined to follow it. After all, the star had led them this far, why would they not continue to follow it?

Commentators over the years have launched multiple ideas as to what the star exactly was. Some say it was a meteor; some venture so far afield as to deny its very existence. But why should it be thought that the God who created the very Earth on which man lives could not design and use a genuine star for such a momentous occasion? Sometimes we believe the LORD for a miracle and then humanize it when it comes.

It is noteworthy that God will always guide those who are seeking to find the Savior.

Time had indeed lapsed from the point of the Child’s birth to the coming of the magi. When the shepherds came to the manger in Bethlehem they found a ??????, brephos, a newborn child. When the magi came to Him, they found a ???????, paidion, a young child in a house (?????, oikia), not in a manger (?????, phatne).

The magi did homage to the Boy by humbly prostrating themselves before Him in worship.

It was customary in those days to bring gifts to distinguished persons; thus, they brought to Him gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. Gold is the metal of kings. There was no gift so precious as gold. Frankincense was a gum, derived from incisions in the bark of a tree. It gave forth a sweet and pleasant odor, when burned, and often used in worship. Myrrh, too, was from a thorny tree, but gave forth a bitter and most unpleasant odor. It was used for embalming the dead and preserved the body from decay. These three gifts were exceedingly valuable and had meaningful significance to the life and death of the Savior.

All of this raises the question of whether we bring Him the best of what we have. That He is our King, our Savior, our LORD, demands that we yield ourselves and our most prized possessions to Him for whatever disposal He desires. There is no greater gift we could offer than our love and devotion. Giving yourself to Him for whatever use He desires is paramount. Forsaking all, we follow Him. He lovingly cares and preserves our lives as they glorify Him. As it was with His Son, Jesus, so it should always be with us.

Lovingly and prayerfully yours,

Nana & Dado III

(Rose Marie & Gene)

P. S. Rose Marie is now back in rehab at the Jamestown facility in Rogers, Arkansas. She is progressing

nicely and gaining strength daily. We are so grateful for your prayers! May the LORD bless you

exceedingly!

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.

Springdale, Arkansas 72764

United States of America

“We never know that God is all we need

until He becomes all that we have.”

Dear Grands,

Matthew 2:1-8, “Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem, saying,

2 ‘Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we saw His star in the east, and have come to worship Him.’

3 And when Herod the king heard it, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him.

4 And gathering together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he began to inquire of them where the Christ was to be born.

5 And they said to him, ‘In Bethlehem of Judea, for so it has been written by the prophet,

6 “And you, Bethlehem, land of Judah, Are by no means least among the leaders of Judah; For out of you shall come forth a Ruler, Who will shepherd My people Israel.”

7 Then Herod secretly called the magi, and ascertained from them the time the star appeared.

8 And he sent them to Bethlehem, and said, ‘Go and make careful search for the Child; and when you have found Him, report to me, that I too may come and worship Him.’”

The birth of children always cause a stir among people. And while the birth of Jesus was hardly ordinary, it followed the course of arousing people, even the magi from the east. Precisely who these magi were is not certain. Arabia, Babylon, Persia (modern Iran) are all possible contenders. They were foremost astroligers, who watched the skies for signs of miraculous events. How many there were is not known; however, it is likely that their number was considerable. The number three simply derives from the three gifts they later give to the Christ-child. Many years earlier, Daniel had been carried captive into Babylon, and it is possible that the magi’s interest was piqued by his revelation of the prophecy of the coming Messiah.

In any event, the magi caused fear in Herod when they asked the whereabouts of the King of the Jews. “We in the east, have seen His star” is the better translation. If the star were in the east, and they followed it, they would have been journeying toward China.

Herod the Great clearly had no spiritual concern with respect to the birth of Jesus. He was a cruel and vicious person, whose crimes against others –even his own family– were numerous. But, where were the magi to go for information, but to the highest official in the land? Herod deferred to the “chief priests and scribes” for an answer. They were the lawyers, the record keepers, who were responsible to know such things. Their search turned up the prophecy of Micah (5:2) that focused on Bethlehem of Judea as the place of Jesus’ whereabouts.

Herod, in his characteristic manner of deception, then pretended a harmless interest in the whereabouts of Jesus, saying, “Go and make careful search for the Child; and when you have found Him, report to me, that I too may come and worship Him.”

What is often neglected in the study of Christ’s birth is the connection is has to us. Everything that Jesus ultimatly did –His life, His death, His resurrection– derives from His miraculous conception. Decadent men today seek to undermine and refute the Savior by denying these historical, biblical truths. Rather than following the magis’ earnest seeking, they elect to follow Herod in his deception and denial of Holy Truth. Who are you following? Are you witnessing of Him through your lifestyle? your speech? There’s an old addage that “silence is golden”; but we must admit that sometimes “silence is yellow.” Be bold! Let others know that you know Him and that you are continuing to seek out and live out His plan for your life.

Lovingly and prayerfully yours,

Nana & Dado III

(Rose Marie & Gene)

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.

Springdale, Arkansas 72764

United States of America

“We never know that God is all we need

until He becomes all that we have.”

Dear Grands,

Luke 2:36-40, “And there was a prophetess, Anna the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was advanced in years, having lived with a husband seven years after her marriage,

37 and then as a widow to the age of eighty-four. And she never left the temple, serving night and day with fastings and prayers.

38 And at that very moment she came up and began giving thanks to God, and continued to speak of Him to all those who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem.

39 And when they had performed everything according to the Law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own city of Nazareth.

40 And the Child continued to grow and become strong, increasing in wisdom; and the grace of God was upon Him.”

There are indeed difficulties that come with old age. Thoughts don’t always come as quickly, and bodies tire more easily. Still, such disadvantages are compensated by the knowledge of what to do in tyring circumstances and the uplifting memories of joyful things of the past. Anna is mentioned only once in the Scriptures, but she serves well as a model for both men and women in the days that followed her.

She had been married for seven years, and then lived as a widow for 84 years. Allowing that she was married at age 13 (not an unusual marriagable age for a girl in biblical times), she would have been 104 at the time she saw the Christ-Child. Yet, with the years of age upon her, she had not ceased to be active in the service of the LORD. It’s vital for all of us to remain active in the things of the LORD. We cannot do all of the things we once did, but we can pray and love and laugh and witness to the praise of His glory! We have knowledge and wisdom that younger people often lack.

The problems of youth today are staggering! Of course, we had problems in our younger days. There have always been crimes and evil deeds in the minds and hearts of young people. But the advancement of media and electronics seem to have exacerbated the opportunities for crime. Youth today have slipped the reigns of purity, as each generation has increasingly lacked the parental training needed for a clean, productive and fruitful life.

Where are the Annas today? Where are those who live constructively and pray earnestly for children, and grandchildren? They are sorely needed for the rescue of youth from the slippery slopes of life. Where are the mothers and fathers –yes, and grand-parents—who pave the way with spiritual values from their own lives? Such is left for those of us who faithfully await the Coming of our LORD Jesus Christ!

Anna laid out the pattern for Joseph and Mary when she continued to praise the LORD and witness to those around her. Jesus’ parents continued to serve the LORD in the proper rearing of the Child. And He, in turn, grew physically strong and increased in spiritual wisdom, as the grace of the LORD infused His young life.

Isn’t that what all parents should want for their children? “As the twig is bent, so is the tree inclined.” Come on, you Annas! It’s not too late. But time is swiftly running out.

Lovingly and prayerfully yours,

Nana & Dado III

(Rose Marie & Gene)

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.

Springdale, Arkansas 72764

United States of America

“We never know that God is all we need

until He becomes all that we have.”

Dear Grands,

Luke 2:25-39, “And behold, there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon; and this man was righteous and devout, looking for the consolation of Israel; and the Holy Spirit was upon him.

26 And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ.

27 And he came in the Spirit into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to carry out for Him the custom of the Law,

28 then he took Him into his arms, and blessed God, and said,

29 ‘Now Lord, Thou dost let Thy bond-servant depart In peace, according to Thy word;

30 For my eyes have seen Thy salvation,

31 Which Thou hast prepared in the presence of all peoples,

32 A light of revelation to the Gentiles, And the glory of Thy people Israel.’

33 And His father and mother were amazed at the things which were being said about Him.

34 And Simeon blessed them, and said to Mary His mother, ‘Behold, this Child is appointed for the fall and rise of many in Israel, and for a sign to be opposed–

35 and a sword will pierce even your own soul– to the end that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed.’”

Most of us have looked into the face of a newly born child and wondered what he would become, what would be the characteristics he would reveal –characteristics of his parents, his grandparents. With Simeon,

it was far more. The LORD had revealed to him that he would not die until he had seen the LORD’s Christ.

I knew a man, a preacher, who was so infirmed that he could not stand as he preached. He sat on a stool in the face of his congregation as he declared the Word of the LORD whom he served. I heard him say that he had been assured of the LORD that he would live to see his children’s children. He cited Psalm 128:6, “Indeed, may you see your children’s children…” And he did live to see them.

Simon stood, as it were, on the precipice of history, as he announced the presence of the Savior that the Father had prepared for all people. The Child was destined to be the light of the Gentiles and the glory of Israel. Yet, His ministry would be met with defiance, just as it continues to be in our own day. He is the rock over which many fall. Still, He is also the rock on which many will rise. He is the Light that has come to show salvation to all mankind.

Yet, in the midst of His invaluable ministry, His own life will suffer and the heart of His mother will be pierced. What anguish troubles a mother’s heart can only be known by mothers. As one writer says, “In such a world as this there can be no victory without conflict, no achieivement without strenuous effort, no joy without pain, no perfection except through suffering.” Yet, He prevailed to the very end. And so must we! For those who followed closely with Him, “…rejoiced that they had been considered worthy to suffer shame (dishonor, ridicule) for His name” (Acts 5:41). And so must we! For “…the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall (one day) be revealed in us” (Rom. 8:18).

Prayerfully and lovingly yours,

Nana & Dado III

(Rose Marie & Gene)

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.

Springdale, Arkansas 72764

United States of America

“We never know that God is all we need

until He becomes all that we have.”