Now after Jesus was
born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from
the East came to Jerusalem, saying, “Where is He who has been born King of
the Jews? For we have seen His star in the East and have come to worship Him.”
(Matthew 2:1-2 NKJ)
born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from
the East came to Jerusalem, saying, “Where is He who has been born King of
the Jews? For we have seen His star in the East and have come to worship Him.”
(Matthew 2:1-2 NKJ)
On Friday in
Alabama, the annual Tax-Free Weekend starts. Parents and grandparents will
scramble to the marketplace in order to get good deals on all sorts of products
for their children. As the old preachers use to say, “People will move
heaven and earth to get what they want.”
Alabama, the annual Tax-Free Weekend starts. Parents and grandparents will
scramble to the marketplace in order to get good deals on all sorts of products
for their children. As the old preachers use to say, “People will move
heaven and earth to get what they want.”
Something about
Matthew’s narrative peaks my interest. It isn’t just a child’s story for family
celebrations in December. It isn’t merely an annual story for the church
calendar. It relates the time and place that our God descended into our world.
Matthew’s narrative peaks my interest. It isn’t just a child’s story for family
celebrations in December. It isn’t merely an annual story for the church
calendar. It relates the time and place that our God descended into our world.
This story relates
how some men recognized the importance of the person and the event. Those men
considered the new king’s birth important enough to travel long distances under
harsh conditions in order to find the newborn and worship him. Matthew calls them
wise men.
how some men recognized the importance of the person and the event. Those men
considered the new king’s birth important enough to travel long distances under
harsh conditions in order to find the newborn and worship him. Matthew calls them
wise men.
We pastors ask: what
would happen in the marketplace if men and women, boys and girls would search
for that same king today? We ask: what are people searching for? And where are
the wise men and women today? Searching for God is always a wise endeavor.
would happen in the marketplace if men and women, boys and girls would search
for that same king today? We ask: what are people searching for? And where are
the wise men and women today? Searching for God is always a wise endeavor.
Many bargain
religions and philosophies permeate our 21st century world. Yet, nothing
compares to the glorious riches of knowing Christ, the Savior. What does it
benefit me to gain the world’s riches, if I lose my eternal soul?
religions and philosophies permeate our 21st century world. Yet, nothing
compares to the glorious riches of knowing Christ, the Savior. What does it
benefit me to gain the world’s riches, if I lose my eternal soul?
For me that is the
issue. What I search for in this life determines my eternity. Jesus Christ
isn’t merely a good deal in a tax-free weekend of religious choices. I
certainly want to be wise in my search.
issue. What I search for in this life determines my eternity. Jesus Christ
isn’t merely a good deal in a tax-free weekend of religious choices. I
certainly want to be wise in my search.
Dear Father, thank
you for sending Jesus Christ. Empower us with an intense desire to know the One
who is Emmanuel. This I pray in the name of our Savior and Lord. AMEN
you for sending Jesus Christ. Empower us with an intense desire to know the One
who is Emmanuel. This I pray in the name of our Savior and Lord. AMEN
Search for more of
God today,
God today,