Kings

 

After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.”

When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him. When he had called together all the people’s chief priests and teachers of the law, he asked them where the Messiah was to be born. “In Bethlehem in Judea,” they replied, “for this is what the prophet has written:

 “‘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.” Matthew 2:1-12

 

 

I remember my mom saying she never wanted her kids to be too smart or too stupid, just average, average fits in better.  Or something like that.  I laugh at it now and wish maybe I could have been just a bit smarter.  Like those Kings who liked to look at stars, a great philosopher, or our founding fathers. There is a strange thing that happens when we study, we can get smart and gain wisdom, in that wisdom our faith grows, our knowledge grows, our relationship with God deepens.  But, also in learning, there is a twist, a lie, if we aren’t careful.  The evil one, wants to control that wisdom.  Remember the lie in the garden?  When he whispered to Eve that God forbid the fruit because she would be like God and know things. And Eve ate.  The desire to know things is strong in us, it’s part of the miraculous creation He made us to be, to seek deeper understanding of the world and those around us.  But when the evil one whispers, “there’s more if you turn from God,” some are tempted to listen.  

 

Our world is inundated with the message, “you don’t need God, Jesus is a crutch, weak people are Christians.” Our schools teach history and science with no mention of God, a creator, or the Bible. And yet, God used a bunch of pagan astrologers to find the Savior.  How strange.  How very God.  Two worlds collide. At the very core of creation is the message and proof of Jesus.  I love it when God uses the unexpected, the unwanted, the outcast. These men who studied the stars knew something was different and it intrigued them.  When was the last time you looked up at the sky and it intrigued you? This year, 2020, in the days leading up to Christmas the planets Jupiter and Saturn appear to be in a dance as they are set to align as one planet on Dec 21. The planets will be about 400 million miles apart but will look as if they are right on top of each other. This happening was last visible in 1226. Some believe this explains the bright star the Kings followed.  Incredible?  Or God?  Astronomers say this is a once in a lifetime experience as it will not be visible again until 2080.  For some young children they make see it again, but for adults it is now or never.  

 

Now or never, now there’s a statement.  Are we so caught up in our own version of the truth that we can’t see Him?  There isn’t much time left.  Life is moving, the days are passing, and we must choose which side of knowledge we are on.  

 

The Kings knew something was amiss, strange, and they acted.  They followed.  As learned men they would have known the history of the Jewish people and the promise of a Messiah, but these men did not serve or worship God. They were seeking an answer to this strange heavenly star and searching to find the Messiah at the request of King Herod who wanted Him killed.  In their seeking the answer to this wonderment in the night sky they found the child, The KING OF KINGS, Savior of the World. They fell at His feet and worshipped Him and presented Him with gifts of Gold, Frankincense, and Myrrh. I often think how strange this is.  I don’t believe they set out to worship Him, I believe it was a desire for knowledge that led them a great way. But God chose to use them.  They did not tell King Herod they had found the Child. And returned home by another route. 

 

Isn’t it just like God to place himself in the midst of our journey, while we are still ignoring Him?  While we are refusing to see our need for Him, we shut our eyes to the truth and then He catches us completely off guard by placing the brightest star in front of us and we can do nothing but stare and follow.  He will stop at nothing.  He will seek after and reveal himself to all. He is the creator of knowledge and wisdom. 

 

As you look to the sky this advent season, remember those Kings who so long ago followed the star to find the Savior.  Seek Him and you will find Him.  Don’t let the lie of the evil one lull you into a false sense of security in your own knowledge and understanding.  We all need the Savior.  

Shepherds

 

Advent, Shepherds

- December 22, 2020

 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord. Luke 2:10-11

 

 

If you had an important message and wanted to disperse it to the ones who would be most affected, what method would you use? Today you might use an email, Facebook, or other social media outlet. Perhaps you would include several emojis to get the point across that this is a really big deal. A lifechanging event. What if you had the ability to not only grab the attention of your audience, but do it in such a way that it struck absolute terror in their hearts?  

 

Picture a group of tired, humble, faithful men on a hillside resting near a flock of sheep.  These men were a bit low in the social order of their day.  The priests had chosen and discarded sheep after sheep, looking for that perfect lamb to offer in sacrifice. Now it was their responsibility to keep the flock safe during the long night.

 

And then the messengers arrive.  The only lights had been the fires and the heavenly bodies above, including a particularly bright star that had caught their attention but did not disturb them too much.  Suddenly the sky above them shone with a glorious light. First one messenger- a supernatural being emerged from the beautiful, terrifying light. The Angel quickly eased their fears and proclaimed a stupefying announcement. “Don't be afraid! this news is fantastic! It's a world changer for all the people! That Messiah you’ve been waiting for has been born tonight in the city of David!” I paraphrase just a little. 

 

These common, simple, hardworking men were not welcome at the temple for worship because their work required ceremonial rituals after the unclean manure and dead animals. They were good enough to care for the sacrificial animals but paradoxically their work excluded them from acceptance to worship. As soon as the messenger angel proclaimed the news and gave them the confirming information where to find this Messiah baby and how to recognize him, the rest of the heavenly choir showed up and showed out. This was the moment heaven and earth had waited for. There praise was in fine form. Never had there been so much to celebrate. The darling of heaven had just put on human form and the Kingdom clock started its countdown.

 

Those shepherds are easy to identify with. We are unworthy of a love like that. The one who comes to us exactly like we are says, “this message is for you. Right where you are. My love is unfailing and everlasting.” The invitation is the same. Come and see Jesus. No one is unclean or beyond his forgiveness and grace. The ‘temple’ is not required because it's all about the relationship.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                

 

Lord,

Help us to see your message.  Thank you that in the midst of our filthy, messy lives you chose to show us the love of a Savior.  We pray that our focus is on you this advent season and that we seek to know you more. Amen