The Magi weren't just 3 smart guys riding camels... there is MUCH more to this part of the story.

As Paul Harvey used to say... this is the "REST of the story..."

These particular shepherds were not an afterthought on God's part. They were EXACTLY the right witnesses to the Incarnation.

Looking at the humanity of Mary's story...

There are two parts to a chess match - the "Long Game" and the "End Game". The Long Game is the majority of the match, and its purpose is to set up the player's End Game. God's Long Game is the entirety of the Old Testament. His End Game is found in the Gospels. The incarnation is His opening gambit to His End Game.

Mark ends his Gospel in a rather curious fashion. I discuss the possibilities that arise with it.

From the Sanhedrin and the charge of blasphemy to Pilate and the charge of treason, still Jesus did not retaliate.

Convicted of treason with Pilate demanding that the religious leaders accept their participitation in this event, Pilate consented to their demand to crucify Jesus, and sentence was passed.

The trial, sentencing, and execution of Jesus reveals the absolute criminality of what happened to Jesus.

What does the woman's gift tell us about her? What do Jesus' words at the last supper tell us about Him? What does Judas' actions tell us about him?

this prophetic word from Jesus to His disciples applied to them THEN... but also to us NOW.

In His last week in Jerusalem, Jesus begins by facing off with each faction of the religious leadership of Israel... Chief Priests, Teachers of the Law, Pharisees, Sadducees, and Herodians. He does not hold back in revealing their hypocrisy.

.