Today's Readings: New Testament -
Matthew 2:1-12
1 Timothy 2
Old Testament -
Proverbs 3
Ezra 4-5
Click on Text Links to Read Online
Focus Verses: Matthew 2:3-6
3 When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him. 4 When he had called together all the people's chief priests and teachers of the law, he asked them where the Christ was to be born. 5 "In Bethlehem in Judea," they replied, "for this is what the prophet has written: 6 "'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 be the shepherd of my people Israel.'"
Insight:
When the wise men came from the east looking for the "one who had been born king of the Jews," Herod had his advisers search the scriptures for clues to the birthplace of the Christ. They pointed him to the words, "in Bethlehem in Judea," from the prophet Micah. The words of Micah’s prophecy also seem especially appropriate to the story of the visiting magi as they describe Christ’s greatness “reaching to the ends of the earth, and he will be their peace."
The Wise Men were seekers of the Christ. The priority they gave to finding Jesus, the way God led them in dreams, the worship they offered, and the gifts they presented all suggest to me that they were people who knew and believed God's covenant promise to Abraham: "all peoples on earth will be blessed through you" (Gen. 12:3).
Response & Action:
I believe the scriptures are reliable, that Jesus is the Christ, and that the peace he brings is for all people. I will search the scriptures in order to be wise. I will seek Christ in order to find peace. I will trust God to keep his promises and to lead me.
O God, show me your ways. Thank you for the scriptures. Guide me in your truth and teach me. Give me the wisdom to seek you above all else. Help me to love, worship, and follow Christ wherever he leads. Amen.
Spiritual Formation Verses: 2 Peter 1:19-21
19 And we have the word of the prophets made more certain, and you will do well to pay attention to it, as to a light shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts. 20 Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet's own interpretation. 21 For prophecy never had its origin in the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.
Resources:
The Incomparable Christ
by John R. W. Stott
