The Visit of the Magi

PRAYER PRACTICE

Lectio – Read today’s passage through once. Then spend some time praying and asking God to show you what you need to pay attention to in the text. Read it again. Now ask God to help you see what this text, and the part that has stood out, may mean for you. Don’t expect to get a clear word every time but always be ready to really hear from God through His Word.

DAILY READING

Matthew 2:1-12

REFLECTION

The Visit of the Magi

 by Pastor Jeff Morlock

This familiar passage reminds us that nobody owns Jesus (v. 1). No one can claim him as their exclusive possession, partly because Jesus owns that which he has created. But also because Jesus is for everyone. He was still an infant when this entourage of foreigners (wisemen) came to worship him. Later, as an adult, he would cross boundaries to reach out to Samaritans, Canaanites, all sorts of “outsiders” deemed unworthy of God’s attention. No one is worthy of God’s favor. Sin disqualifies us. But Jesus makes people qualified through faith in him alone. Is there person or group that you’ve been tempted to “write off” or have considered outside the circle of God’s concern?

Secondly, this text reminds us that Jesus is a person to be encountered (v. 2). The magi made the purpose of their journey clear: “We have seen His star in the East and have come to worship Him.” Many things will call for our attention in this new year, but nothing is more important than encountering Jesus in weekly and daily worship. Verses 3-8 warn that in this pursuit there will always be distractions, and enemies like King Herod, intent on deceit. What kinds of things threaten to distract you from loving and serving Jesus in this season? How might you plan to overcome them?

Thirdly, a genuine encounter with Jesus will change us. Gold, frankincense, and myrrh (v. 11) represent the best of what these magi had to offer as they “threw open their treasured chests” to present the Lord with gifts. True worship involves giving Jesus all that we are and have. Are you growing in generosity? The magi received supernatural guidance in the form of a dream. (v. 12) Is there anything that keeps you from acting on the “nudges” that the Holy Spirit gives as you seek his direction and leading?

Finally, the wise men returned home by “another way” (v. 12). No one can be in Jesus’ presence for long and stay the same. Encountering the infant Jesus necessitated a change of direction for the magi. That’s what repentance is… turning around to pursue a different way of thinking and acting. What do you need to turn away from today as a result of encountering Jesus? What do you need to turn toward?

REFLECTION

Lord, we are like travelers in a caravan of hope, seeking your light in a time of uncertainty. But we confess that we are also like King Herod, afraid of what
the light of your truth might expose in us. As we encounter Jesus, would you soften our hearts, engage our minds, open our hands, and heal our broken spirits. In His name. Amen.

THE MAGI

Please welcome Pastor Buff Delcamp to the Daily Bible Blast writing team. Merry Christmas.

Matthew 2:1-12

Every year, the mysterious Magi lumber into our manger scenes. In reality they weren’t there the night Christ was born. They may have arrived a year later. But here’s the rub. After hundreds and hundreds of miles in laborious travel, after months and years of searching, studying, contemplating, they made it. 

And their first reaction was “they were overjoyed” – they had JOY that was over the top. Other translations say “exceeding great joy” and another says “they could hardly contain themselves.” 

When they came in, they bowed down and they worshipped. True worship has this aspect of it. It’s not simply ascribing praise and adoration to God, it is being near to God so He is personally, overwhelmingly compelling. I see there a simple wonder in this great encounter. 

Wonder is that which takes over after everything has been explained. It’s something I think I’ve lost at times. Do we try to explain too much? Is there anything in life with God that simply leaves us amazed and speechless? I want to be more and more open to that. And it isn’t simply in worship gatherings, but also when we see the way our God works in our lives. 

The wonder that He can change a heart, that He can turn a life around 180°. The wonder of His ordering of time and circumstances to affect endings we can’t see from the beginning. The wonder of His mercy, His patience year after year. Don’t lose the capacity to see and then to be overjoyed at the wonder of our God with us – Emmanuel.

A New Resolution

Habakkuk 2:18 (NIV)
"Of what value is an idol, since a man has carved it? Or an image that teaches lies? For he who makes it trusts in his own creation; he makes idols that cannot speak.

As we end our series titled, In AWE, and wind down our celebrations of Jesus birth, it is more than fitting to conclude with a scripture about idol worship. God sent his son to free us from sin which as captured us and holds us in bondage. Lifeless, man-made objects cannot free anyone from anything. They can't speak to the heart and guide the spirit. They can't comfort a broken heart nor redeem a destroyed life. They only collect dust.

Have you identified the idols that have captured your heart? Do you recognize what it is that you worship without realizing what it is you are doing? Each new year, as I examine the past year, I realize that those new years resolutions I commit to often are about changing my behaviors. I came to the conclusion a few years ago that my eating habits were so much about poor choices as it was about my wants. Food had become my idol--my go to in order to feel good.

I longed for the comfort certain foods provided, no matter how temporary. I learned that the feeling I was seeking and stuffing down with sweets, was never satisfied. Each day I would repeat the same practice. Now, having identified this idol, I know it will never fill the gap. There is no value and no reprieve from the emptiness. Only Jesus can make the changes to my heart necessary for a peaceful life.

I know this sounds like a Sunday School answer, but just try it. Try to turn to the Jesus and talk to Him about that need which remains unfilled. Ask Him to sooth your hurt, and seek answers to all your questions about life. One way I do this is to write things out in a journal each morning. I'll open my Bible and just begin reading a passage or two.

God will speak, every time I seek. The Magi were looking for more than lifeless idols to fill the open spaces in their lives, and they found Jesus. You can too!



Habakkuk 2:18-20

The Work of the Light

It is interesting to read about the Magi, aka - the three kings, or three wise men. However you know them, they are only mentioned briefly in scripture, and are memorable characters in the story of the birth of Christ anyway.

Arise, shine, for your light has come,

    and the glory of the Lord rises upon you.

These three men were drawn by the light. There is safety in the light, a clear path is opened before us when we walk into the light. So much of what we deal with is cloaked in darkness; like a bug to a light-bulb in the evening, we are drawn in to feel the warmth of the light and we sense the security offered. If you ever stumbled about in the dark, you know how comforting it is when someone shines a light. Fear of falling passes and you can walk forward with confidence.

See, darkness covers the earth

    and thick darkness is over the peoples,

but the Lord rises upon you

    and his glory appears over you.

Jesus was born in a stable, a cave-like dwelling, and He lit up the room. The moment of His birth changed everything. Light replaced darkness. The cold and dreary setting of a dank stable was immediately transformed by His light.

Nations will come to your light,

    and kings to the brightness of your dawn.

The Magi are touched by the sight of Jesus and they bow down and worship, offering precious gifts to the baby. A good lesson for each of us as we experience all that the LIGHT accomplishes in our lives.

Isaiah 60:1-5

Are you a Wise Man or are you Herod?

Matthew 2:1-12

It's hard to read this passage without humming the familiar carol "we three kings of Orient are" isn't it? But let's take a look at what happens here, and see with fresh eyes God's truth:
1.  The wise men are curious (v. 2)
2.  Herod is threatened by this upstart king (v. 3)
3.  The wise men find Jesus, and they are overjoyed (v. 10 - 11)
4.  The wise men thwart Herod's plan to kill Jesus and eliminate his threat to Herod's power (v. 12)

So what's the rest of the story?  We don't hear from the wise men the rest of the scripture. Were their lives changed? We have to trust God on that one, and to remember, that we don't know the rest of our own story either. But we do know that God came to earth as a baby, and that when you meet him, you are changed forever.

Hold on a minute.... what about Herod and the Jewish power structure?  They, too, knew that a great star had appeared in the heavens, signaling the Lord's birth. They knew the scriptures that foretold where the savior would be born (v. 6). But they didn't go. They didn't seek out Jesus. They didn't worship him. They had a choice, and they chose to ignore the Christ.

We, too, have that choice. It's a new year, time for new beginnings. Have you made the choice to follow Jesus? You can do it right now - ask him into your life, and he will gladly meet you.

Most of us reading this have already invited Jesus into our life. But now is a good time to worship him anew - to thank him for what he has already done for you and what he will do. Give him the glory!  Amen.

King Forever, Ceasing Never

December 31                                                                    

Scripture Reading
Read Matthew 2:1-12 and reflect on the passage.

"When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him." The birth of Christ shows us that the Gospel is not hopeful news for everyone. The version of Jesus we often consider at Christmas is so disconnected from the Jesus we remember on Good Friday. But the same claim to King that hung over Jesus' head on the cross was pronounced over his cradle. King Jesus brings hope to all who embrace the rule and reign of God, but is a threat to all rulers (and hearts!) set on their own power and control.

The Magi, however, find Christ and worship Him, disobeying Herod and trusting in the work that God was doing instead. Jesus' claim to rule and reign puts Him at odds with authority over and over again. For us today, the ruler we are concerned with doesn't sit on a throne in a castle, but in our hearts. We struggle, like Herod, to embrace the hope that is available in Christ. Are we willing to give up authority and control in our lives? There is great hope for us and this new year because God continues to be at work.

Here are some other ways you can reflect on this week’s focus of “King Forever, Ceasing Never”.

Question
Are there parts of your life where you need to abandon the pursuit of control and receive hope?
How can others encourage you to follow the King?
As we look to a new year, what would God have you pray for our neighbors, our city, this country, or world?

Prayer

Dear God, I ask for Your hope to fill my home. Use me, my family, and my church to bring hope to others in 2018.

                                                                                                Aaron Thompson and David White

Guided and Targeted by a Star

December 18                                                                     

Scripture Reading
Read Matthew 2:1-12 and reflect on the passage.

Mother called to me, “you’ve been out there too long, come inside now!” I was a star gazer by age 10, interested in the constellations of stars, and especially radiant Venus. Then and now, I am awed by its brilliance. 

The Star stood in the heavens, almost as brilliant as the sun, its sharp rays beaming steadfastly in the silent night. It had been foretold that it would move and point the way. Now, a great stillness came, and the Star was fixed. He who had been born was with all people, in every place on earth at this hour, and His spiritual presence would never again depart. The Star was seen all over the known world.  It was visible to the Wise Men from afar.

Bethlehem's Star signified birth and kingship. Relative to the Jewish nation, it rose in the East. It appeared at an exact time and endured over time. According to Matthew, the Star guided the Magi as they traveled south from Jerusalem, and came to a stop over Bethlehem.  How amazing and miraculous is this?

QuestionsDo we stand in awe and gratitude of Emmanuel with us?
Is our heart’s compass pointing us toward the radiant Star?

Prayer

Dear Jesus, thank you for all the guides You have sent to us: angels, Your Word, people, and even the "Bright Morning Star," Jesus Himself.

                                                                                                                                    Diane Ward