Summary
The magi were not the only ones who came in obedience to Bethlehem. They were not the only ones to believe that the long promised Messiah, the new King, had been born.
Mary and Joseph, they came in obedience to Bethlehem, they obeyed the angel and came as Jesus’ mother and father to Bethlehem.
The shepherds up in the hills also came down into Bethlehem in obedience. The angels told them to leave their flocks in the fields and go search for the Christ child. So, they did, and like the magi, they found him.
Yet, not everyone believed, or followed in obedience.
The true wise men of the story are the Chief Priests and scribes of whom King Herod inquires concerning the prophecies of where the Messiah was to be born. They are wise, for they know. They tell him, “In Bethlehem of Judea; for so it has been written by the prophet: ‘And you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for from you shall come a ruler who is to shepherd my people Israel.’”
You see, the Chief Priests, the scribes, and the royal household all knew what had been promised by God, they knew who had been promised, yet they did not believe.
Why? They were the religious leaders, why didn’t they believe?
They were comfortable. They were content. They didn’t need…they didn’t want a Messiah. When you are in charge, when you have all the power, you don’t want change, you don’t think you need deliverance. You don’t certainly don’t want God interfering with what you’ve got going.
The magi, foreigners from the East, came right to them, told them the Good News, and instead of reacting with joy, instead of giving thanks, instead of being obedient and going to pay homage, they reacted in fear. Matthew writes, “When King Herod heard this, he was frightened, and all Jerusalem with him.”
They did not see their own need. They did not understand what they lacked. They could not believe, for they had shut their eyes to their sins, in favor of earthly power. So, they could not go in obedience, for they would not believe. They could only tremble in fear, and react with earthly motives, and with earthly power.
How do we react to the news of Jesus’ birth?
Do we go in obedience and awe to pay homage, to worship, to give what we have to the Christ child? Do we seek Jesus out so that we may bask in the joy of his presence? Do we say, “Thank you Lord!”? Do we let the news of his birth open our lives to the new possibilities that await us, when we believe in, and follow the King?
We have great examples in Matthew’s story of two different ways we can react to Jesus’ presence in the world. How will you react to his love, his salvation, his life, death and resurrection?
In disbelief? In fear? In faith? In obedience? In awe? In love?
Each day, you have a choice in how you will react to Jesus. Today, let us react in joy, in awe, in thanksgiving, in faith and with love!
Bible References
- Isaiah 52:7 - 10
- Matthew 2:1 - 9
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