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.

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