Matthew 2:1-12
Reflect
Reflecting on this passage of Scripture, what comes to mind? Perhaps childhood plays with children dressed up as wisemen in bathrobes and paper crowns? What do you think came to mind for the Jewish community when this caravan of wisemen and their servants from the East arrived in Jerusalem? They, too, would have their familiar references from years of captivity. Very likely, these men were from Persia, where astrology and divination – outlawed pagan practices in the Hebrew faith – were an intrinsic part of the culture. They would have thought of the prophet Daniel, and possibly their own distant relatives who were carried off to a foreign land and forced to assimilate. The arrival of Magi in Jerusalem would not have been a welcomed event. Yet God in His grace includes these pagan astrologers in His story of salvation.
It is interesting to note that while the star, a revelation in creation, brings the Magi to Jerusalem, it is knowledge of Scripture that provides the necessary revelation on the location, ultimately leading the Magi to Christ. Theologian Frederick Dale Bruner states “Creation’s revelation can bring human beings only halfway; scriptural revelation has the power to bring us home – to Christ. God in his goodness is the author of both revelations and uses both.” This Christmas season, is the Word of God providing fresh revelation and bringing you home to Jesus?
Pastor Melissa
Pray
- Pray through the prayer section in our program.
- Pray for Karen Alksne, our Congregational Life Ministry Associate.
- Pray for our Congregational Life Pastor, Mike Bartusek and his family.
- Pray for all our small group leaders.