We are almost to a New Year. It is exciting to be looking forward to 2024. Before we leave this Christmas Season, I have a new thought for each of us to consider. My text is Matthew 2:1-6 You are familiar with the story. It is the story of the birth of Jesus. The Magi came from the east and stopped in Jerusalem to visit King Herod. They asked the King where the King of the Jews was born. Most kings, as you know, don’t like to share their throne with anyone. King Herod was no exception. The text says the King is troubled, agitated, and worried. Not only is the good king troubled, but so is all Jerusalem. You can read the whole story yourself in a matter of a few minutes.
King Herod called together all the chief priests and the teachers of the law. Surprisingly, our King Herod had a little Vacation Bible School, for he asks specifically where the Messiah is born. He learned that term somewhere! Interesting! Don’t lose me here. I want you to keep focused on the story. So, King Herod asked his chief priests and the teachers of the law, “Where will the Messiah 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 shepherd my people Israel.’[b]”
You can see that these priests and the teachers of the law were educated. I am sure they had Bible 101 classes because they quote exactly what Micah wrote 700 years before Jesus was born.
Everyone can figure out that Bethlehem was a nothing town. I can almost see King Herod holding his nose. Not only him but all of the chief priests and teachers of the law. It wasn’t worth it to them to go check it out. We are talking 5 miles to the West Bank, just to see if this 700-year-old prophecy would be accurate. To be clear, none of them made this trip.
Remember this is written word. A lot of us read scripture every day! I want to say again that these men studied Scripture. These educated men memorized the Word. They were paid to know their stuff. It concerns me that we could be the same way.
Come with me to John 5:39-40.
You study the Scriptures diligently because you think that in them you have eternal life. These are the very Scriptures that testify about me, yet you refuse to come to me to have life.
You see the priests and the teachers of the law didn’t move forward. They stayed with the written word but didn’t move forward into the Living Word. Maybe in VBS they won brownie points for memorizing scripture, but they never had a relationship with God. They could memorize a 700-year-old prophecy about our Messiah but didn’t know God personally. They were on the wrong road.
I pray that your reading of the scripture brings you to the Living Christ. I know I can’t do anything without the Savior leading me, caring for me, and walking everyday with me. Thank you, Jesus.
Pastor Wanda