“After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, ‘Where is the one who has been born King of the Jews? We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him.'” Matthew 2:1-2
The Magi knew the King was born. The saw his birth announcement clearly scrawled across the sky. But, how was is so obvious to them, and not so crystal clear to the rest of the world?
They were watching for it.
They were paying attention to what was happening around them. They knew the layout of the night sky and they knew when the new star appeared. They were watching for it.
Monday Reflection: Are we like the Magi? Are we aware of our surroundings, not only physical but our spiritual surroundings as well?
Tuesday Reflection: Are we prepared, when God moves to change the landscape of our lives, to move, in search of drawer nearer to Him?
Wednesday Devotional: Merry Christmas!
Read Matthew 2:3-11 When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him. When he had called together all the people’s chief priests and teachers of the law, he asked them where the Messiah was to be born. “In Bethlehem in Judea,” they replied, “for this is what the prophet has written:
“‘But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for out of you will come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel.’”
Then Herod called the Magi secretly and found out from them the exact time the star had appeared. He sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search carefully for the child. As soon as you find him, report to me, so that I too may go and worship him.”
After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen when it rose went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.
The Magi’s visit created quite a stir among the citizens of Jerusalem. A stir so significant, it reached even the ears of the King.
Wednesday Reflection: Has following the Lord even been difficult? Has He called you to a foreign land, or at the very least, a place, an occupation, or to a population foreign to you? Has your obedience in following your calling created a negative stir among people you revere?
Thursday Devotional: The Magi only wanted to find their King. They patiently answered the King’s questions and then quietly continued along their way. They were not deterred nor distracted from their quest: worship their King.
Thursday Reflection: When was the last time you worshipped your King unhindered by another’s possible perceptions?
Friday Devotional: Read Matthew 2: 12 And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route.
Yet someone even higher up was giving instruction and they were listening, and listening intently.
They were not to go back to Herod. They were to go home via another route. And that’s exactly what they did.
They obeyed their God. And in doing so, they disobeyed a King.
Friday Reflection: When was the last time you disobeyed someone in authority, because your God was giving you other orders?
When was a time you chose another over God? How did that turn out?
Prayer: Lord, May my heart be fertile soil. May I always be looking for you and Your will for my life. May I pay attention to what is happening around me, not only physically, but also spiritually, so I’m not distracted when You have wisdom to impart to me. May I choose You over important people in my life, whenever there exists a conflict. Please strengthen my faith and my resolve as I walk with You.
Lord, please help me truly focus on who You are, and how humble am I. Please allow me to carry these realizations unto my personal worship. May I focus only on You and not concern myself with any other who might note my actions.
Thank you Lord, Jesus for coming to this earth, so that I might be saved. Not just a soul-satisfying eternal salvation, but a saving of my life today. May my words, my actions, and my life be honoring to You. Amen.
Thank you for reading! Please return by Monday, December 30 for the next post.