Day 23: The Faith of the Magi
Scripture to meditate on: Matthew 2:1-12 The Star and the Journey
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.’”
Then Herod called the Magi secretly and found out from them the exact time the star had appeared. He sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search carefully for the child. As soon as you find him, report to me, so that I too may go and worship him.”
After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen when it rose went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route.
Devotional:
Life to me is an array of “Stars of Bethlehem” leading me to the manger and U-turns taking me back to Herod. I’m blessed to have found or been found by God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit and that they are my primary Guiding Light. That has not always been the case. I was on the fast track to Herod for many years before the Saving Light of Christ Jesus was revealed to me.
I’m fortunate to have many “Stars of Bethlehem” in my life including pastors at Fairfax Church, my spiritual mentor, my sponsor, my wife, and many members of my family. I meet with many of them regularly, not so much family unfortunately, to make sure that that the Guiding Light of the Spirit burns brightly in my life and isn’t darkened by the attraction of Herod’s Court.
Truly in this world it is easy to miss the Light for the Dark, the Good for the Evil, and the Love for the Hate but if I keep my eye on the Star of Bethlehem, guiding me to my Savior, Jesus Christ, I can be sure to make it to the manger and know that I don’t have to find solace in the court of King Herod.
May you too have this Guiding Light in your life!
Questions to ponder:
- What does this passage say about God?
- What does this passage say about me or my relationships?
- What should I do in light of this passage?
