The Nineteenth Day of Advent, 2016

Thursday, December 15, 2016

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 “Where is He who has been born King of the Jews. . . .”  And when Herod the king heard it, he was troubled. . . .  Matthew 2:1a, 3a

I guess nothing has really changed! A lot of time has passed since that wonderful birth, but people still hear this news in at least two different ways.

Some hear or see something – even a long way off – and do anything they can to get to wherever they think Jesus is. They go to church looking for Him; they travel to Jerusalem to “walk today where Jesus walked;” they go to great effort to find out if what they think they saw or what they believe they heard is real! If it is true that there really is a King that could change the course of their own personal history, they will do anything to find Him. They know He is there – somewhere, and they don’t stop until they find him, just as God promised: Those who diligently seek me will find me (Proverbs 8:17).

But there are still those who are threatened by a King who will change things! If they’re the master of their fate, they don’t want some new King to come in and rule, even if that King is the Promised Messiah. They’ll try to find some way to keep Him from taking over! Lordship is pretty absolute!

Father, I do know this One whom Isaiah said would be called Wonderful Counselor, and I’m grateful. But I want to know Him better! I want to be a seeker who never stops seeing to know you and your Son! Thank you for the promise that if that is really the desire of my heart, you’ll grant it. Amen

And Then It Was Christmas: A Journey Toward Christmas
prepared for Homosassa United Methodist Church, 2006,
by Patience Nave, Christian Education Coordinator.