Welcome to healing the land with Kevin Mitschelen. brought to us by pure assembly.
Welcome to healing the land. This is Kevin Mitschelen. And I today have a treat. We normally have the show a lot of times different guests that come on today's the same thing. But I have my two sons with me. And it's not my three sons like the old 50 show, if you're old enough to remember that are old enough to see reruns, but that's my two sons, and Jacob and Jordan. Guys, thank you for being here with me today. Yeah, it's good being here. Yeah. And Jordan Reed. Yeah, if you if you'd see the setup, here, we we have two mics and three, three people. So they're gonna have to kind of jump in a little bit. But what we want to do is kind of break away from sometimes sometimes we you know, bring up kind of heavy topics, or in this, the show's called Healing the land. This week, we want to talk about what's coming up. And that's Christmas. And Christmas is, as one of the Christmas songs is the most wonderful time of the year. And that's not always the case for everybody. But I do enjoy it. I enjoy the lights when they come out. I enjoy the the singing the songs and the concerts that happen and, and so it's just it really is, in many cases, a great time, guys, since I have you here. What? Number one, let's just kind of get this out of the way because I asked every guest and I I've known you well enough, and I know the answer. But do you love the Lord? Yeah, of course. Absolutely. Yeah. I met you doing?
I think so. Kind of, you know, got my whole life.
Yeah. Yeah. And I've seen you, we've surrendered your life to the Lord. So and I love that. I love the honesty. And it's good, because you always different times go okay, well, yeah, I love the Lord. And I've surrendered to Him. And so and Jordans shaking his head, yes. So. So that's one of those things on the radio, they can't see you. Right. But as we go further, let's, let's share this because the one thing that I want to talk about this this week is Christmas. And a lot of times, you know, as believers in Christ, I tend to look at Easter as even much of a heavier weight there because of what was done. But we need to also remember that Jesus came as as a baby, which would be one of the most vulnerable things that you could possibly ever do, especially if you were the living God. And you're his son. And now you're coming to an earth that you're in time and space and you're you're involved in the the fact that you are flesh to now you can get cut you can you can have a have some serious issues that can happen with your body. Nonetheless, Jesus comes so let me ask you this just kind of as a sort of just kind of a fun thing. You guys, can you remember, I challenge you before we get on the air? Can you remember anything from your your past of maybe it's a school play or anything like that, that that you that you recall from Christmas Past? Can you share that with us?
Yeah, a couple different Christmases just come to mind. The first is a couple years or several years ago, we used to have a Christmas with our extended family on my mom's side, right? And, you know, just all the cousins are calm and like a lot of gifts would be given and just like I don't know, there's something about when all your extended family just comes together and you have Christmas and yeah, that's definitely one that other times. Another time is just on your side. I'm just doing the same thing and yeah, just every single time like that extended family comes together either either side, you know, it just seems to always be super memorable and like, loving.
The family is like, what comes to your to your mind automatically sounds like Yeah, yeah. That makes sense. Gifts are kind of fun, too.
Yeah, can't forget about that.
Yeah, yeah. How about you, Jordan? Yeah.
Um, yeah, I think in addition to like, some of the family stuff that we did because we did a lot of that Yeah. There were a lot of Christmases that we you know, just stayed at home and one Christmas you know, we were really wanting we're really pulling for a we and as we
have That's right. Yeah, the game system right away. Yeah. So yeah,
because we had like an off the couch. game system which is like a off brand. We
have eight Way, way off brand. Yeah,
I was like, oh man getting a Wii is like 100. So we eventually we got it. I was like, oh, from Santa. Wow.
Yeah, that's, I remember that. That was like a big step up for us. And I remember that when we got the the other one, the sort of the letdown on that other one was pretty rough. But yeah, okay, good. Well, I wanted to kind of just break that a little bit. And I want to then get into the actual story of of Christmas. And a lot of times we kind of one of the most memorable times that I had growing up was, we actually didn't have hardly any work at all, which was not the norm for my dad's business. But I'm typically 111 year, we just didn't have much. And so that meant no Christmas gifts. That meant not even a Christmas tree, nothing. And we had to move into a home that we didn't expect to move into. We were nothing, we had nothing. But we had a great deal of treasure, because we had family that had stuck around and was was just loving each other. And I remember my mom reading Luke chapter two, with my dad, right next to her as she was reading she, she could read very well. And so I'm going to ask Jacob, if you could start in Luke chapter two, I think it's verse a. But before we get there, just going to kind of build this up. And if you do go to Luke chapter two, what we do is we'll see that Mary and Joseph have made the trip to Bethlehem, they have to go there for a census. Most of us know that story. I think they know it. Well. I can't imagine the hardships in that it'd be very, very difficult kind of journey, especially, especially with Mary being pregnant. That would be excruciating, it seems to me. But then, and also from Joseph's perspective, because here he is, he's he's, he's in a protective mode. And now his future is his, his Mary is in a very vulnerable state. And so then they don't know exactly where to go, not a good, there's no, there's no expedia.com or anything like that, where they, you know, get go to get a hotel room, they just once they arrive, then they have to be able to find someplace to go. But they do find a place. It's not the greatest, this is not the Ritz This is not someplace where you'd want to go. But they, it's a beautiful story nonetheless, because of the fact that Jesus Christ is in a stable within where he is, is going to where he is born. And so we pick it up at that point where he's born. And then it says that Mary actually put them in a manger, which is a feeding trough, and for the animals, and then there's there there was no room for them otherwise in any other place. And so, for those who are downtrodden, many times you can look at that and go, Ah, I can identify with Jesus right there. So, Jacob, if you could take us from verse eight, and start there, we're gonna talk about a group of people that I really, really love as well. So go ahead. Yeah,
um, and there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over the flocks at night, an angel of the Lord appeared to them and the glory of the Lord's shown around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, Do not be afraid. I bring you good news will cause great joy for all the people today and the town of David as Savior has been born to you. He is the Messiah, the Lord, this will be assigned to you, you will find a baby wrapped in clothes and lying in a manger. Suddenly, a great company of the heavenly hosts appeared with the angel, praising God and saying glory to God and the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favorite rest. When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherd said to one another. Let's go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about. So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph and the baby who would who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what they had just been told about this child, and all who had heard it were amazed at what the shepherds attach to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned to glorifying and praising God for all the things that they have heard and seen, which would just as they had been told, on the eighth day, when it was time to circumcise a child, he was named Jesus. The name the angels had given him before he was conceived right.
Awesome. Thank you. There's a lot in that chat and that those few verses what comes to mind guys, when you when you hear when, as you're reading that Jacob and Jordan, what what comes to mind about what you just read?
Yeah, the first thing that comes to mind is just like, there's so much power in that statement. I just can't imagine a whole host of angels in are just coming down and seeing you. I mean, to even have any words in that situation would just be impossible, you know? Yeah, certainly certainly a divine birth. Not seen very often, right? Yeah.
Yeah. In the fact that God, I'd love that you guys just made that comment because Jordan to this is a divine birth, this is something that that is heralded and literally, the the heavens open up and it becomes revealed as to and the angels have messages and so there's a clear distinct message of what the of what the angels are saying to these people. Which who are. Who are they?
Basically, nobody,
basically nobody's right. Yeah, yeah. There we, you know, they're identified as shepherds. Right. And, and but because they're shepherds, I believe I've read in different accounts where they couldn't even go to trial and be witnesses, because their word was not considered to be trustworthy. Yeah, ponder for a second. You know, this is not a good marketing campaign for God. Yeah, yeah. Yeah, if you're going to have a concert, if you're gonna do all these different things, you go the important people, you know, if you want to make make, get something out there, you want to talk to the so called, quote, unquote, people of influence. You don't go to the lowest of the low. And that's who they go to. You stop and think about that. Right. And so you mentioned that a divine appointment, Jordan, and so they, they go after the the angels leave, and then they go to see Mary and Joseph, what happens then, after that? Yeah, now that I kind of caught you off guard, but when when you have that what what takes place? And because it did, I love the fact that, you know, I can lead you here a little bit that the shepherds then they, they don't just keep it quiet. And there has to be a great imagine a passion there, then the happens. Says it's separate return, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which they just been told. And it just makes it very clear that they keep it quiet. Yeah. The one thing that comes to my mind about this, too, is the fact that they they're not just keeping it quiet, but they are the people that because they're not considered to be necessary, trustworthy. They would have to go outside of their normal selves. Yeah. Right. Have you guys ever felt like that? We Okay, she's just be quiet. Yeah, yeah, absolutely. You know, human, right, if you don't, yeah. But something is, obviously they see it. And they're also the Holy Spirit's working to they're there, they're now in a position where they're there, tell him to go tell it on the mountain, they're gonna go. So we're gonna pick up this next, this last 14 minutes went by really fast we're gonna do is we're gonna kind of continue the theme of the fact that God is reaching out to people who you wouldn't normally expect them to reach to. And we're going to hit the next chapter here. Next part of chapter two, and we're going to go see and talk about Simeon. And we're also going to talk about Anna as well, because they're very important part of the Christmas story. A lot of times we don't get that far. We don't reach there and talk about these two people. And so if you could be with us for the next minute or so we'll have a pure assembly commercial, and then we'll come back. Thanks.
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While we're back to healing the land, Kevin Mitschelen and I also have Jacob Mitschelen. And I have Jordan Mitschelen with me and we're all family. I'm the dad and we have my son's here as well. Unfortunately my wife is another part of the state so she couldn't be here today but we want to talk about Christmas and the Christmas story and the birth of Jesus Christ. And what I'm going to actually do is I'm going to step back a little bit on the first part of this the, the program tonight, I did a lot of talking. And in the break, I'm like, You know what? No, I don't need to do a lot of the talking. And in fact, I then had, I was talking to Jacob and Jordan said, I think I think you guys need to do the majority of the speaking this next half. So, guys, I'm gonna let you go ahead and do that. And what we're gonna do is just kind of kind of start it up by saying, the next the next part of the chapter of chapter two, where we left off with involved, Simeon and also involved and so, guys, go ahead. And if you want to read through that, that'd be good. Maybe a good place to start. And then you guys are starting a conversation. So we got to get back on so that we can take this so that makes sense. You guys, you guys teach. Okay, you guys go ahead and tell us about about Simeon Anna. Okay, so go ahead.
Yeah. Jordan, do you want to read it? So is that from 22 to 22 to 40? In chapter two, yep. So when the time came for the purification rites required by the law of Moses, Joseph and Mary took Him to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord, as it is written in the law of the Lord. every firstborn male is to be consecrated to the Lord, and offer a sacrifice in keeping with what is said in the law of the Lord, a pair of doves, or two young pigeons. Now there is a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was who was righteous and devout, here is waiting for the consolation of Israel and the Holy Spirit was on him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit, that he would not die before he had seen the Lord's Messiah, moved by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts, when the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him. With the custom of the law required, Simeon took him in his arms and praised God saying, Sovereign Lord, as you were promised, you may now dismissed Your servant and peace, from my eyes have seen your salvation, which you are prepared in the sight of all nations, a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of your people, Israel. The child's father and mother marveled at what was said about him, then Simeon blessed them and said to marry his mother, this child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that we will be spoken against, so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul to there was, is that?
Is it keep going, keep going. Yeah, absolutely.
There is also a prophet Anna, the daughter of Penuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was very old, she had lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, and then was a widow until she was 84. She never left the temple, but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying, coming up to them at that very moment, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who are looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem. When Joseph and Mary had done everything required by the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. And the child grew and became strong. He was filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was on him. Yeah, so one of the things that just really stood out to me about Semyon was just like, the amount of hope that he had, you know, going into into Jesus's birth, you know, I mean, the guy was pretty old, but I just think that he's also a very good representation of the Israelites and how they must have been feeling when this Savior Jesus Christ, you know, is born in they got to experience the thing that they've been waiting for for centuries. Yeah, you know? Yeah, I'm sure I'm sure he like directly sums up their whole like emotion and after the all this, like praying and fasting, and here comes Jesus, you know, the Savior. And you know, now he's, he's basically seen it all, you know, and you're ready to die
after he's ready to die. Yeah, I mean, that agreed, you know, spot a spot there. Yeah, I'm good. Now. During the it looks like you're about to say something. Are you thinking?
Oh, I was just pondering some things. Okay. Um, but just like the fact of you know, like, what he was hoping for what he was waiting for. I kind of wanted to point out verse, verse 30, and 31 Okay, which says For my eyes have seen your salvation which you've prepared in the sight of all nations. So he was. So the main things that he was hoping for the years of waiting for was salvation, which is the Messiah. And it's also for all nations. So although like, oh, yeah, Simeon was was a guy of all that was like, Yeah, Jesus is here, because God promised me that I would see him. It's for this hope is for everyone. It's for all nations.
Amen. That's a very good point. Thank you for bringing that up in the heat that he does bring that out. And he brings out some you, Jacob, you look like you're about ready to say somebody find that? Yeah, no. Oh, yeah. Go ahead. Go ahead. Um,
I don't know. Like,
this is how we normally talk at home. So.
Yeah, just in comparing him to Pharisees of that time, you know, just they, you know, weren't expecting this kind of savior. And they didn't want it to be for all nations. You know, they want to keep it within the
very good. Yeah, yeah. Absolutely. Really good. Go ahead.
But yeah, like, Simeon seems to be more in tune with God's Spirit. And what he's actually saying, you know, that reminds me of like, when Jesus said, like, well, if, if you really love the father, then then you'd accept me, you know, listen to
me. Yeah. Yeah, to go along with that. And then he really can see more of what the spirits telling him because he says the child is destined the cause of the failing and rising of many of Israel to be a sign that will be spoken against, so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul to he's, yeah, this is very specific. He's getting revelation from God here, and all this. So you're hitting it right on all nations. This is something that what has been looked like been promised as a messiah. This this is a different narrative than what what? This expected. Yeah. And, yeah,
I think another thing to note, is that this was after a period of where God didn't really speak a whole lot for like, 100 years. Yeah. Yeah. And to have, you know, all have like, you know, to profits come up and and talk about it's all this stuff starting to happen again. Yeah. Exciting.
That would be experienced, especially if you're a profit, right. And then I'll yeah, 400 years, that our country is the United States of America seems like it's been around forever. Right. But compared to that to 400 years, no, we haven't been around very long at all right and about forgotten to be silent. In that time, it'd be quite a stretch. Yeah, yeah. So we have Anna then that's also mentioned in here too. And so as we're just talking, that's one of the there's another figure that a lot of times when we get to the Christmas story, we just don't talk that much about Simeon or Anna, talk a lot about the shepherds. I love the shepherds. Okay. I'm glad that we started out with with the shepherds. But again, when you go to the to the marketing aspect of of Simeon, he's not necessarily in the higher ranks, that we know of. You have been there, you've been very well known in Anna, in the culture that day, Hannah would not have been someone that she had her heart would be very close, it's very evident, her heart is very close to God. But when it comes to sort of the rank of culture, and it would not have been on the high higher list, she would have been known, she would have known people that would not have been, oh, and you know, that kind of thing. But God reveals Danna, who, who Jesus is to some talk about looks like yeah, you really jump in get. So
yeah, and just know a thing that I I want to point out is just see here verse, verse 3037. When it first introduces her, and then there's a widow, until she was 84, she never left the temple but worshiped day and night. Fasting and pray, you know, just like the promises that He fulfills within us whenever we like, fast and pray in the amount that he does in that, you know, I think a lot of people don't realize like the power that's in fasting and praying for something to happen. And and it does that, you know, and it happens in our lifetime. Like, how cool is that?
You know? So every good sermon, right? They teach you how many times we need to do the so called good sermon school. They say you need to have an application point in there somewhere in your sermon because so people can connect right? Am I correct on that? Right? Yeah. All right. So. So we take a look at these two figures and very important figures in the Bible. What's I think, Jacob, you definitely touched on this what? What's the application for us today? When we take a look, because we see God's marketing, so to speak, and who he's talking to, but then the application for those who might be listening to today, what this what the world with the shepherds, Simeon and Anna, what's the our application point? And with with what's being proclaimed here in Luke chapter two?
Yeah, I think it's that we need to be watching in waiting. And not even just waiting, but waiting actively. You know,
I love that. That's good. Yeah.
We aren't just waiting to sit by the sidelines. But we are actively in. We're in the game. We're praying, we are fasting, and we are on mission to hear from God. And we want God to move nowadays. Now. Luckily, for us, Jesus has already came, right. He's already paid the price. It's already died and wrote in the grave. But now, if we want God to move in a nation in our schools, wherever we're at, we need to be actively praying, fasting and wanting God in praying for desperately, you know, for him to do that.
Yeah, but some thoughts, Jordan, I can see you.
I think, I think the major takeaways is that, like Christmas is, is about so much more than like what our culture says it's about. We watched a special from Sesame Street last night, did you about Christmas? Like from the 70s. And even then they're saying like, well, Christmas is about giving men about like loving one another. And it's really that's really not the main focus. Christmas is about this eternal hope that's for everyone and like the and you know, by speaking to these to the shepherds, here's awesome indicating it's for everyone, even the the the lowly and the people who don't have as much of a say yes, and it's to all the nations. And so like Christmas is about remembering that and when we have an idea of who Jesus is, we can remember that hope, just like Simeon did.
Yeah, man, what a great thank you for for India that way, Jordan, because that, that really describes our the viewpoint from those who believe in Jesus Christ, on how we're to step into Christmas, and that it is a very important part of the of Jesus coming, obviously, coming as a baby, he doesn't stay baby Jesus, the rest of his life, according to a movie, and then and then but he goes and becomes an adult. And he gives us hope to the sacrifice that was on the cross and then rising up again. And so there's a divinity, there's a miracle that takes place for everyone that's involved. So unfortunately, we're gonna have to ended up there. But thanks, guys, you're on college break. And so thanks for taking some time of your vacation to come and be on the show. Appreciate it. Yeah. Well, well, thank you for listening to healing the land and we hope you have a Merry Christmas. And just enjoy your time this season. Thanks. Take care.
Second Chronicles 714. If my people who are called by my name, humble themselves, and pray and seek my face, and turn from their wicked way, then I will hear from heaven and forgive their sin and heal their land.
Healing the land is brought to you by pure assembly. Pure assembly is a nonprofit with a mission to heal the wounds of a divided and injured nation through prayer, unity, repentance, and edification. For more ways to get involved and to be a part of their ministry. You can reach them at www dot pure assembly.com That's p u r e assembly.com. Or look for pure assembly on Facebook.