Debbie's Perspective

Just my thoughts of the day.

Easter Series: The Colt

Yesterday in my On the Road to Jerusalem post, I talked about how Jesus very clearly told His disciples that He was going to die, be buried, and be raised from the dead. Even so, in the very next verses in Mark 10:37, James and John were asking Jesus, “When you sit on your glorious throne, we want to sit in places of honor next to you, one on your right and the other on your left.”

Mark 10:38 says, “But Jesus said to them, ‘You don’t know what you are asking! Are you able to drink from the bitter cup of suffering I am about to drink? Are you able to be baptized with the baptism of suffering I must be baptized with?'” I think I might take a moment and say, hmmm, bitter cup of suffering? But they eagerly say, “Oh yes, we are able” in verse 39. Are they? They seem to be more interested in honor than suffering.

They had no clue what they were agreeing to. I wonder what they thought He was talking about? Further proof that they were looking for an earthly kingdom.

Most churchgoers celebrated Palm Sunday yesterday. This represents the day Jesus rode into Jerusalem on the colt of a donkey to a large crowd of people spreading their garments and cutting branches from the trees to lay before Him. Why was this day significant, and why was He riding the colt of a donkey?

Scripture tells us the answer in Matthew 21:4-5, “This took place to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet, saying, ‘Say to the daughter of Zion, Behold, your King is coming to you, humble, and mounted on a donkey, and on a colt, the foal of a beast of burden.’” This was a fulfillment of a prophecy given long ago by the prophet Zechariah about the coming Messiah.

You can see how the disciples were probably thinking that Jesus had it all wrong. He wasn’t going there to die. Here He was riding into Jerusalem to crowds praising Him. They had to be thinking, Yes! Now we are getting somewhere. The people are ready to follow Him and get this new kingdom going. They weren’t wrong. He was the coming King, but so much more than that, and not of the kind of kingdom they were hoping for.

Thank you, Lord, for knowing what we needed even when we didn’t. Let Your Kingdom come, let Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.

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The Journey

A fictional depiction of the Christmas story from Mary’s perspective.

The journey was hard. It was rocky and steep in places. Poor Joseph had to stop for me so many times. Traveling so close to the baby’s time coming was not at all what we would have chosen. Joseph reminded me often that even though Caesar Augustus called for this census, it was really all in God’s hands. This baby was prophesied to be born in Bethlehem, so he will.

I was afraid sometimes, but I thought of how sure the angel was when he told me all that would happen, so I held on to those promises and knew it would all work out the way it should.

Bethlehem was so crowded. There were people everywhere from all over the region. For the first few nights, we slept out in the fields close to the village. There were encampments all around us. Joseph made friends with a man who owned a cave where he sheltered his animals. He was so kind to give Joseph some straw for me to sleep on so the ground wouldn’t be so hard. The day the pains started, I knew I couldn’t give birth in the midst of all these people. Joseph went to the Inn to try to get us a room. He begged the man, but there was no room for us there. We had almost given up any hope of having privacy when his friend with the cave offered it to us. I knew God would provide; I just didn’t know how.

We settled into the warm space. It wasn’t ideal, but it was better than the field. The pains were coming closer together, so I knew it wouldn’t be long. I was so grateful I spent those months with Elizabeth so I would know what to expect when my time came. I wished she could have been with me then.

When it was time, it almost seemed like a dream. The baby came so fast and so easy, nothing like I had heard from other mothers. Before I knew it, he was in my arms. I took out the swaddling cloths I had prepared and wrapped him snugly in them. He was the sweetest thing I’d ever seen. “I’m a mother now,” was all I kept saying to myself. Even though I knew this child was very different, he was still mine. The love that flooded my heart was overwhelming. My mother told me I would feel this way, but until I did, I couldn’t imagine it was so life-changing.

Joseph was so tender. He took this child in his arms, and the look of pure joy on his face made me cry. He thought I was in pain, but I told him I was so thankful for him through it all. I understood why God had chosen him to be Jesus’ father here on earth. Jesus, that’s the name the angel told us to give him. A name that everyone in Israel will know. They didn’t know it yet, but their Savior had been born.

The night was dark, and we laid Jesus in the manger filled with fresh hay. Joseph told me to rest and sleep, and he’d keep watch. I don’t know how long I had been asleep when I was awakened by several men outside the cave. Joseph stepped in front of the manger and me and asked the men what they wanted.

At first, we could hardly understand what they were saying. They were talking excitedly all at once. Finally, Joseph got them to calm down and explain one at a time why they were there. The story they finally told was almost unbelievable, but I knew it was true as soon as they said it.

They had seen one angel at first, and just that one angel had lit up the field as though it was daytime. He had told them that he came with good news that would bring great joy to all people. And then he told them that the Savior, the Messiah, had been born in Bethlehem. They were to look for a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths lying in a manger.

I sat there, taking in every word they spoke. The angel, the glory that shown as bright as the sun, then the angel army that burst into the sky. Warrior angels so fierce one would make a man fall as dead on his face, but they were singing with great joy proclaiming this good news. The very army of heaven was singing about my baby. I would think about their story throughout the years, especially during those first hard years as we ran from Herod into Egypt. This was one more proof that my child didn’t just belong to me but to all mankind.

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30 Days in the Christmas Story: Day 30

To be honest, I wasn’t sure that I would be able to spend 30 days in the Christmas story. I kept trying to change the name when I first knew that I was going to start this, but the Holy Spirit kept prompting me to stick with the original title He gave me. I had to trust that He would lead me through it all. And here we are on day 30 with one small section of scripture to discuss.

“When Herod died, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt. ‘Get up!’ the angel said. ‘Take the child and his mother back to the land of Israel because those who were trying to kill the child are dead.’ So, Joseph got up and returned to the land of Israel with Jesus and His mother. But when he learned that the new ruler of Judea was Herod’s son Archelaus, he was afraid to go there. Then, after being warned in a dream, he left for the region of Galilee. So, the family went and lived in a town called Nazareth. This fulfilled what the prophets had said: ‘He will be called a Nazarene.’” Matthew 2:19-23 (NLT)

So, Herod dies, and the angel tells Joseph to head back home to Israel. It’s possible that Joseph thought to move to Jerusalem, which you’d think would be a good place for the Messiah to grow up and be educated. The temple, the religious leaders, and the priests were there. Once Joseph entered Israel, he heard of the new ruler and probably how cruel and wicked he was, like his father.

If you remember, Nazareth is the same village God sent the angel Gabriel to Mary in Luke 1:26. I can imagine Joseph and Mary excited that they are able to come back to Israel, their home. They could have made their plans to go to Jerusalem, get Jesus in with one of the top Rabbis, and build their life there, waiting for Jesus to rule and reign one day. But once they get closer, they hear about Herod’s son. Suddenly, their plans could be taking Jesus right back into danger. God is not going to let them go too long without direction. I’m sure they were praying and asking for His help all along. Joseph has a dream warning him that his fears are well-founded. Did God tell Joseph in his dream to go to Nazareth, or did He just say not to go to Jerusalem, and then Joseph and Mary decided to go back to their hometown where family and friends would surely help them build a good life until Jesus’ time came? Whether God specifically told them to go or directed their hearts, their settling in Nazareth was God’s plan all along.

The village of Nazareth wasn’t just another little village. Charles Spurgeon says, “There is always some city or village or another whose inhabitants seem to be the butt of every joke and the object of scorn. The people of such places are thought to be low, uncultured, and not very smart. That is the kind of place Nazareth was.” Why would God the Father have Jesus grow up in this despised town? Was it just the beginning of the fulfillment of these words?

“He was despised and rejected—a man of sorrows, acquainted with deepest grief.” Isaiah 53:3

 “When Jesus’ parents had fulfilled all the requirements of the law of the Lord, they returned home to Nazareth in Galilee. There the child grew up healthy and strong. He was filled with wisdom, and God’s favor was on Him.” Luke 2:39-40 (NLT)

We’ve come to the end of our exploration but are far from the end of all that could be examined and learned from this amazing Christmas story. I hope that, like myself, you’ve seen something new and grown in a deeper understanding of the message of Christ’s birth.

The overall truth is that the Word of God is living and offers new and amazing insights every time we take the time to read it and dig deeper for what He wants to show us. I encourage you to continue to explore God’s Word for yourself.

Merry Christmas!

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30 Days in the Christmas Story: Day 29

The story we talked about yesterday is not usually a part of the sweet Christmas pageants we like to watch. The jealousy and hatred of a cruel king leaving devastation in his wake as he tries to remove the threat of the newborn King he fears seems in sharp contrast to the angels singing joyfully in the field while shepherds watch with awe. The worship around the manger and the majesty and treasure of the wise men are all the things we look to and remember as we celebrate the birth of Jesus.

The truth of the other part of the story is the whole reason Jesus had to come, why we needed God with us, and why it’s such a joyous celebration. Sin and death had its grip on all men. It came into the earth, taking men captive from the moment Adam made his choice to disobey God’s command.

“When Adam sinned, sin entered the world. Adam’s sin brought death, so death spread to everyone, for everyone sinned. Yes, Adam’s one sin brings condemnation for everyone, but Christ’s one act of righteousness brings a right relationship with God and new life for everyone.” Romans 5:12 and 18 (NLT)

In our first couple of days, we read in Isaiah 9 that the people who walk in darkness would see a great light. Jesus was and is that light.

“For a child is born to us, a son is given to us. The government will rest on His shoulders. And He will be called: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” Isaiah 9:6 (NLT)

And this is why we don’t dwell on the brutal action of Herod because no matter what he may have tried to do in his evil schemes, he could never change the plans and purposes of God. Evil will never prevail. While Herod lived, Joseph and Mary with Jesus would be kept protected as they waited in Egypt.

Today’s truth is that darkness is in the world, but the light of Jesus shines brighter and stronger.

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30 Days in the Christmas Story: Day 28

“After the wise men were gone, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream. ‘Get up! Flee to Egypt with the child and his mother,’ the angel said. ‘Stay there until I tell you to return, because Herod is going to search for the child to kill him.’ That night Joseph left for Egypt with the child and Mary, his mother, and they stayed there until Herod’s death. This fulfilled what the Lord had spoken through the prophet: ‘I called my Son out of Egypt.’” Matthew 2:13-15 (NLT)

Once again, we see Joseph given instructions on what to do, and once again, we see his quick obedience. It’s easy to see Joseph as a background character because there isn’t much written about him except for the first two chapters of Matthew and Luke. Mary needed only to believe, and she conceived by the Holy Spirit, but Joseph needed to believe and obey. He needed to do what God told him to do and not rely on his own wisdom and understanding.

If we take a hard look at the instructions to Joseph to take Mary and the babe to Egypt, he could have had a lot of questions. Egypt was known for its paganism, and it certainly didn’t have a great track record for God’s people. It wouldn’t be easy to go to Egypt and settle his family there. But Joseph had trusted the Lord this far, and He had always come through, even to the point of bringing them the resources they would need to allow them to travel and settle in this foreign land without financial hardship. Of course, the threat of a jealous king who was intent on coming to kill the child would have been quite enough to spur someone to jump into action. Joseph left that very night. He didn’t take a few days to get things in order.

The next few verses tell us that Herod was furious when he realized the wise men did not return to him but went another way. In his rage, he sent soldiers to kill all the male children in Bethlehem who were two years old and under. He based this on when the wise men said the star had first appeared.

“Herod’s brutal action fulfilled what God had spoken through the prophet Jeremiah: ‘A cry was heard in Ramah—weeping and great mourning. Rachel weeps for her children, refusing to be comforted, for they are dead.’” Matthew 2:17-18 (NLT)

This is the part of the story that has always broken my heart. I can’t imagine living in the small town of Bethlehem, and one day soldiers burst through my door, take my child and kill him. There would be no explanation, and even if there was, how could you ever comprehend the cruelty and evil of it all? And Herod didn’t just take the lives of those two and under in Bethlehem but villages surrounding it as well. Herod had two of his own sons killed, so why would he even blink at the slaughter of these innocents? His jealousy, hatred, and ruthlessness had no bounds.

Today’s truth is this, the world Jesus was born into was and still is in desperate need of a Savior.

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30 Days in the Christmas Story: Day 27

Herod was not happy to hear that there was a newborn king of the Jews. It would seem that a baby would not be a threat to him, but if wealthy, wise men from the East are already seeking this king out, then others would too. Herod did not share power with anyone.

Herod met with the religious leaders and teachers and found out where the child was born based on prophecy. Now he needs to find out when the wise men saw the star. He has a private meeting with them and tells them to go to Bethlehem and find the child, then come back and tell him so he can go worship the child, too.

“After this interview, the wise men went their way. And the star they had seen in the east guided them to Bethlehem. It went ahead of them and stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they were filled with joy! They entered the house and saw the child with his mother, Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped Him. Then they opened their treasure chests and gave Him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.” Matthew 2:9-11 (NLT)

In all the Christmas pageants, nativity scenes, and songs, the wise men show up and worship next to the shepherds as Jesus lay in the manger. But commentaries say that Jesus was probably anywhere from 6 to 18 months old when they arrived. They believe the star may have appeared on the night of Jesus’ birth, and it would have taken the wise men several months to travel to see Him. It’s interesting that the star they had originally seen in the East was now guiding them to Bethlehem and to the specific place where the child was. In The Passion Translation commentary on verse 2:10, it says, “The Greek is hard to translate since it contains so many redundant words for joy in this one verse. It is literally, ‘They rejoiced with a great joy exceedingly.’ They were ecstatic. This was no mere star to them.

It is also believed that there were several wise men and not just three, as we usually see depicted. It is probably because there were three gifts. Many have noted that the three gifts had special significance. The gold represented royalty, frankincense represented divinity, and myrrh represented His death, but most believe that while we can attribute these to Jesus now, the wise men were probably unaware of these things and were only bringing the lavish gifts to honor a king which was the custom, especially in the East. More than lavish gifts, they gave Him their worship. The picture of wealthy, learned men with gifts around them, bowing to worship this small child as king, is an amazing picture to imagine.

When the wise men departed, they were warned in a dream not to return to Herod, so they went home another way. I wonder if they already suspected that Herod had other motives for wanting their information. Whether or not they did, they were obedient to the warning and not complicit in Herod’s plans.

Today’s truth is a quote from Charles Spurgeon: We see a wonderful pattern: “Those who look for Jesus will see Him: those who truly see Him will worship Him: those who worship Him will consecrate their substance to Him.”

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30 Days in the Christmas Story: Day 26

Joseph and Mary probably thought they would be unknown as they entered the temple. They were a poor young couple just coming to the temple to complete the purification according to the law of Moses. Now Simeon has come and held their son, speaking amazing things over him, and before they can go on their way, another comes in, Anna, a prophetess. She was widowed after only seven years of marriage and has lived in the temple fasting and praying night and day, from then until now, at age 84.

“She came along just as Simeon was talking with Mary and Joseph, and she began praising God. She talked about the child to everyone who had been waiting expectantly for God to rescue Jerusalem.” Luke 2:38 (NLT)

So far, we’ve seen that from the time of Jesus’ birth, those who encountered Him ended up praising God and telling everyone they knew about Him, but let’s move back into Matthew and see if everyone feels the same way.

Matthew begins chapter two, letting us know that Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea during the reign of King Herod. He was known for many good things but was also known for being very paranoid and cruel. In fits of rage and jealous paranoia, he was reported to have killed close associates and family members. Caesar Augustus was known to say that it was safer to be Herod’s pig than it was to be Herod’s son.

Wise men from the East arrived in Jerusalem asking about a newborn king. This was not going to go over very well.

“Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We saw His star as it rose, and we have come to worship Him.” King Herod was deeply disturbed when he heard this, as was everyone in Jerusalem, which really means just the leaders. We know that Simeon and Anna were thrilled, and there were others who were waiting expectantly for their Messiah. Herod called a meeting of the leading priests and teachers of the religious law and asked, “Where is the Messiah supposed to be born?” Matthew 2:2-4 (NLT)

Wealthy, wise men have traveled far from the East to come and worship this baby, who is a king from birth. That in itself is incredible. He is already ruling and reigning before he has ever done one thing, which is evidenced by those who immediately recognize his kingship and worship him and those who recognize it and are deeply disturbed by it.  

The leading priests and teachers of religious law should have been as joyful as the shepherds seeking their Messiah. They knew exactly where He was supposed to be born. They can quote Micah 5:2. They knew He would be born in Bethlehem and that He would be ‘a Ruler who will shepherd My people Israel.’ So why aren’t they ecstatic, why are they deeply disturbed? They were supposed to be leading the people of Israel spiritually. Instead, hearing this meant a threat to their power as it did Herod’s. This is probably why they didn’t get a visit from the angels proclaiming the birth.

Today’s truth is this, to those who recognize their need for a Savior, Jesus is life. To those who seek their own power and authority and reject Him, He is a threat. The same treatment Jesus received as He walked this earth is the same that believers can expect. Paul states in 2 Corinthians 2:16 (NLT) – “To those who are perishing, we are a dreadful smell of death and doom. But to those who are being saved, we are a life-giving perfume.” When we seek to save our reputation over seeking Him, we are no better than the religious leaders in Jesus’ day.

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30 Days in the Christmas Story: Day 25

Through all the scriptures we’ve read about Mary so far, she hasn’t been fearful, doubtful, amazed, or astonished. What we’ve seen is that she’s been contemplative. She’s examined and mulled over all that she’s seen and heard. Why? I think it’s because this isn’t a one-time experience for her. She is in this for the long haul. The pregnancy and birth are only the beginning of this long journey she is on. Now, the baby has been born, the shepherds have come and gone, and it’s time to get on with life.

“And when eight days were completed so that it was time for His circumcision, He was also named Jesus, the name given by the angel before He was conceived in the womb.” Luke 2:21 (NASB2020)

Joseph and Mary are parents, and their job is to make sure all that needs to happen happens. The first event that needed to happen was to get the baby circumcised and named. Both of these things were an act of obedience. One was a command from Leviticus 12:3, and by following this command, they showed their devotion to God and enabled Jesus to fulfill the law. The second event, naming Jesus the name given to them by the angel, was not only obedience to what they were told to do, but like it was with Zechariah, a show of their belief in all that they had been told.

“And when the days of their purification according to the Law of Moses were completed, they brought Him up to Jerusalem to present Him to the Lord (as it is written in the Law of the Lord: ‘Every firstborn male that opens the womb shall be called holy to the Lord’), and to offer a sacrifice according to what has been stated in the Law of the Lord: ‘A pair of turtledoves or two young doves.’” Luke 2:22-24 (NASB2020)

Again, all that needed to be done to fulfill the law was done. While they were there in the temple, a man named Simeon, a righteous and devout man who had been told by the Holy Spirit that he would not die until he had seen the Messiah, was led by the Holy Spirit into the temple as Mary and Joseph brought Jesus in. He took Jesus into his arms and blessed God, and prophesied over Him.  This is where we read that Joseph and Mary were amazed at the things that were being said about Jesus.

“Jesus’ parents were amazed at what was being said about him. Then Simeon blessed them, and he said to Mary, the baby’s mother, ‘This child is destined to cause many in Israel to fall, and many others to rise. He has been sent as a sign from God, but many will oppose Him. As a result, the deepest thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your very soul.’” Luke 2:33-35 (NLT)

Other translations say they marveled at what they heard. They’ve already had angel visits, and they’ve heard from the shepherds all that they had seen, so why marvel or be amazed at what Simeon was telling them? I believe the difference in this is that they realized they were not alone. God had set in the heart of another an understanding of who their Son was and would become. This was another piece in the puzzle that would be His life.

Today’s truth is that the everyday things of life that we need to do keep us on the path that can lead to amazing things. So many times, we stress and strive, worried we’ll miss something big we think should happen, but if we’ll stay obedient to the things we know are right, God will bring the big things to us.

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30 Days in the Christmas Story: Day 24

The shepherds saw and heard the angel’s declaration, they sought out the babe in the manger, and what they saw and heard drove them into the streets to share this incredible experience.

“The shepherds returned to their flock, ecstatic over what had happened. They praised God and glorified Him for all they had heard and seen for themselves, just like the angel had said.” Luke 2:20 (TPT)

To these shepherds, the Messiah was no longer a story they had heard about all their lives. They experienced the truth for themselves and saw that it was real, just as they had been told. This experience with the babe Jesus and the confirmation of all they had been told caused them to praise and glorify God.

“If the cradle of Christ had such an effect upon them, as to make them rise from the stable and the manger to heaven, how much more powerful ought the death and resurrection of Christ to be in raising us to God?” (Calvin)

“But Mary treasured all these things in her heart and often pondered what they meant.” Luke 2:19 (TPT)

Once again, we see Mary responding in a different way than others around her. All these details aren’t passing her by, she is treasuring it all in her heart and thinking of it often. All that Gabriel told her about this child, everything she heard from Elizabeth and Zechariah, now the shepherds’ story and worship are all being pondered by this young mother as she considers the deeper meaning of it all. Mary had a habit of documenting all she was experiencing around this special child Jesus, whether she wrote it down or not, she was keeping track of it all.

Today’s truth is that we must experience Jesus for ourselves. He can’t be just a story we’ve heard about or some academic theology we adhere to. As we draw close to Christmas day, when people all over the world celebrate the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ, let us open our hearts to the truth of God with us and experience for ourselves His presence in our lives.

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30 Days in the Christmas Story: Day 23

We left off with the shepherds in the field watching their flock at night. All at once, an angel appears as well as the glory of God shining all around them. The angel comes with incredible news; the Messiah has just been born in Bethlehem.

“Then all at once in the night sky, a vast number of glorious angels appeared, the very armies of heaven! And they all praised God, singing:

‘Glory to God in the highest realms of heaven! For there is peace and good hope given to the sons of men.’ Luke 2:13-14 (TPT)

I think one angel with the glory of God would be pretty amazing, but the very armies of heaven, audible and visible…whoa! This news, this life-giving, grace-filled news, needed a whole choir of praise and glory to herald it in. The armies of heaven couldn’t contain themselves because they knew what this would mean for all people everywhere at all times.

“When the choir of angels disappeared and returned to heaven, the shepherds said to one another, ‘Let’s go! Let’s hurry and find this Word (in Greek, it’s the word Rhema) who is born in Bethlehem and see for ourselves what the Lord has revealed to us.’ So they hurried off and found their way to Mary and Joseph. And there was the baby, lying in a feeding trough.” Luke 2:15-16 (TPT)

They heard the message, and they went. The invitation is still given to us today. The Word is not still lying in a manger for us to run and see, but the life-giving, grace-filled news that Jesus came to us, Immanuel, God with us, is still held out. We have the same choice the shepherds had on that night long ago; sit and marvel at the wonder of it all but do nothing, or go, hurry, and run to seek out this Savior sent to set us free.

“Upon seeing this miraculous sign, the shepherds recounted what had just happened. Everyone who heard the shepherds’ story was astonished by what they were told.” Luke 2:17-18 (TPT)

Once we find Christ, the Messiah, then it’s up to us to once again do what the shepherds did and share our story. Everyone they shared this story with were astonished. I know not all believed, there had to be those who said, “Crazy shepherds, what are they going on about? Angels, a baby in a feeding trough, who can believe that wild story?” But there had to be others who listened and believed that night, and their lives would never be the same. I’m in the camp of believers, it’s not some sweet story I’ve heard all my life. I heard, I examined, and now I’m sharing this wonderful story with others.

Today’s truth is this; when you hear the message of peace and hope meant for all people everywhere at all times, you have a choice to hear and walk away or believe, receive, and go tell your story.

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