Thank you for joining today as we seek God’s wisdom together. Let us begin with prayer.
“Lord Jesus, I ask that you search our hearts and see if there be anything wicked in them. We ask that your Holy Spirit show us what you are saying to us today. I ask that the words on this page would jump out to us as you speak to our hearts and minds truth and life. In Jesus name, Amen.”
atthew 2:1-12
“Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem, saying, 2“Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we saw His star in the east and have come to worship Him.” 3When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. 4And gathering together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Messiah was to be born. 5They said to him, “In Bethlehem of Judea; for this is what has been written by the prophet: 6‘AND YOU, BETHLEHEM, LAND OF JUDAH, ARE BY NO MEANS LEAST AMONG THE LEADERS OF JUDAH; FOR FROM YOU WILL COME FORTH A RULER WHO WILL SHEPHERD MY PEOPLE ISRAEL.’” 7 Then Herod secretly called for the magi and determined from them the exact time the star appeared. 8And he sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search carefully for the Child; and when you have found Him, report to me, so that I too may come and worship Him.” 9After hearing the king, they went on their way; and behold, the star, which they had seen in the east, went on ahead of them until it came to a stop over the place where the Child was to be found. 10When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. 11And after they came into the house, they saw the Child with His mother Mary; and they fell down and worshiped Him. Then they opened their treasures and presented to Him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. 12And after being warned by God in a dream not to return to Herod, the magi left for their own country by another way.”
What the Word is Saying
The account of Jesus’ birth is much like any other story in the bible in that it shows the loving sovereignty of a personal God intricately involved in bringing His will to pass. Right down to the birthplace of Jesus was foretold long before it occurred. Bethlehem as Mic. 5:2 and 2 Sam 5:2 tell us here is the place of His birth. What should jump out to you is that although He was born in Bethlehem in a manger He was not from there. Most of the Jewish population knew this fact, it was a sign foretold and they were on the lookout for it. So, one could imagine that those members of the local population who were descendants of David (another promise about the Messiah being of the line of David) were on close watch for male sons. Instead, what they were not looking for; a baby from Nazareth but born in Bethlehem because of a census occurring is what they received.
Furthermore, the Child was not even born into lodging for out-of-town settlers, rather He was born in a manger for there was no room at the Inn (Luke 2:7). The poorest of circumstances and not the conditions you would expect for a King to be born into. However, just as Samuel was told to anoint the smallest and youngest member of Jesse’s house in David. God works differently than we would expect Him to. Nevertheless, there were some who were looking for the King and were keen enough to recognize His star in the sky.
The Magi from the east somehow knew that the Star in the sky was leading them to Jesus (The King of the Jews). Perhaps because it was daytime, and the sky was no longer visible in the sky they stopped in Jerusalem to inquire as to where the child was. Maybe assuming that the Jewish people would have recognized Him as who He is and brought Him to the Capitol city to rule. Nevertheless, they are told by King Herod where the prophecy said He would be born was and they went on their way after nightfall following the star once again to where He lay. What stands out prominently here is: that neither Herod’s men nor presumably the religious leaders rush out to Bethlehem to search for the child. I mean it was 5 miles from Jerusalem and a two-hour walk. For Herod who was a brutal King willing to put to death anyone who would endanger his throne, including His own wife and two sons. For those who had been waiting for Him to be born it would seem that they would be running the route to get there as soon as possible.
I guess Herod decided to wait until word arrived that the child had been found to eliminate the need to have all male children put to death. However, for the Jewish leaders I can only assume they went looking for Him where they thought He would appear. The citizens of Bethlehem’s male born children or perhaps they had become hardened to false alarms and were waiting for confirmation from the Jewish leaders in the town who no doubt was watching for His birth. Nevertheless, the Magi found Him in the manger.
The fact that people outside of those who knew what to be looking for should be eyebrow raising to us. They knew the scriptures, had memorized the prophesies, and presumably were aware of the times. Nevertheless, as the people would later do on Palm Sunday; they would miss the time of their visitation. This should serve as a warning to us who now wait for the return of our savior. The circumstances of His return may not be what we expect it to be. Especially today with the name it, claim it, blessings of God that is preached from many a pulpit it could be very easy to miss the signs of His return. Additionally, many Christians live with no fear of consequences or urgency for the lost because they assume the “Rapture” will rescue them before the tribulation begins. Perhaps just as damning they suppose their gifts with no sacrifice for them to make to those out there preaching the gospel will fulfill their obligation to the mission Jesus left for us. Sober thoughts indeed.
If you have not received Christ Jesus as your Lord and Savior, I implore you to do so now. All He asks for is for you to accept the free gift He gave you. Therefore, humble yourself and acknowledge that Jesus is Lord of all. He alone is all powerful and you submit to His authority. Next you must believe He did what He did. That is; die on a cross and rise again from the dead. These are both actions of faith. Faith is the substance of things hoped for with evidence not seen. Meaning you believe even though you don’t have physical evidence to prove it. I know you made it to this page for a reason and the Holy Spirit is working on your heart. The Father has drawn you and He alone can reveal to you the truth of what I am saying. I know that He is now, and you need to take a step of faith and pray these words with me.
Right where you are; say these words out loud: “Jesus I confess that you are Lord of all, I yield my will to your will for you are greater than me. I believe you came to this world and lived a sinless life; I believe you suffered and died on cross for my sins, I believe they put your lifeless body in a tomb, and three days later you rose from the dead. I confess to you that I am a sinner and ask you to forgive me. I also ask that you send me your Holy Spirit to give me power to live a sanctified life and to lead me into all truth. In Jesus name, Amen.”
If you prayed that prayer, I urge you to contact us here so that we might come beside you and hold you up in prayer as you begin your journey with Jesus. I assure you that we have all been where you are. We may have committed different sins, but we are just as guilty, nonetheless. We all needed forgiveness and someone else supported us as we began our Journey with Him.
Perhaps you have been convicted of your lukewarmness and the Holy Spirit is telling you it's time to get back in the battle. I pray that you would do so now. He never left you and is just a prayer of repentance away. He longs to reveal Himself to you. To show you the love He has for you and to give you the gift of love for the lost. It is never too late here on earth to make the change. Jesus said, “in that day many would call Him Lord, Lord and He would tell them depart from me I never knew you.” I believe the wording should read “depart from me because you never knew Me.” Because Jesus knows the heart of every man. But few are those that know the heart of God.
Thank you for joining me today as we searched the scriptures for What the Word is Saying. I pray that God will send His Holy Spirit into our lives anew and fill us again with His love and His purpose for us. So that we can fulfill the mission He left us in bringing the Good News of Jesus Christ to the world.
“Scripture quotations taken from the NASB (New American Standard Bible) Copyright 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved.” lockman.org
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