Skip to main content

Lent Day 31


Scripture Reading

Matthew 2:1-6, Micah 5:2


The prophet Micah prophesied the coming of the Messiah, from Bethlehem out of the land of Judah, seven centuries prior to Jesus' birth. Again scripture is fulfilled and Jesus' Davidic background is brought to our attention. The Jews, although blind to the servant king that the Messiah would be, were very well versed with the prophet Micah's words which said that the Messiah would be born in Bethlehem from the lineage of David. King Herod, appointed by the Roman government to rule Judea, Galilee, and other territories, was distraught over this question the magi from the east asked, "Where is the one who has been born King of the Jews?" To the reigning king, this must have been quite alarming. He asked the chief priests and teachers of the law what they knew about this king. The fulfillment of Micah's words shook Herod. He was a man known for his ruthlessness and vengeance. It is known that he murdered his wife, sons, and other family members. Out of his fear and anger he sought out this child the Magi claimed to be king and wanted him dead. 


You can imagine how Herod must have felt. He was the king and all of a sudden your subjects, wise men from another place and the religious leaders are claiming that a new king is born. He was threatened and afraid that his rule as King of Judah would be ending. He most likely believed that this king would try to overthrow him and leave him with nothing. He did not know that this king was not a king of military might or government power. He was not seeking war or tyranny. He was a servant. One whose very voice sparked peace and hope. Jesus was not the king Herod was expecting. The Jews also did not expect a Messiah that would come into the world in such a lowly manner. They wanted to see Herod overthrown. They wanted a savior that would restore Israel with military might and glory. 


As we know, Jesus was not at all what the world expected. But yet, God had a plan that exceeded the expectations of Jews and Gentiles. The Jews must have been disappointed that this messiah would wash the feet of others, eat meals with prostitutes and not even have a place to lay his head. How could a man like this save anybody? Herod and the people of Israel are not any different than we are today. We find it hard to believe that being a servant is the key to true peace and joy. It is our nature to want to choose the mighty warrior to save us, rather than the meek servant. The Israelites were focused on their earthly lives, the tangible. Wouldn't you say we struggle with this as well? However, Jesus came to restore what was far more important, our eternal lives. God knew exactly the kind of king that the Israelites needed. He knew that a political leader, military power, or a new government was only temporary. His plan for his people was to care for them eternally. The Jews questioned God's plan. Do you question God's plan for your life? Ever wonder why things are not working out at all the way you want or the way you have prayed for them to? Do you know that God has a plan? Often we, like the Jews, only see the present, but God has our entire life in mind. Yes, for us, he has a plan that far exceeds our expectations. All we have to do is trust.


Prayer: Father, help me to trust you with my life. Thank you for the plan you have for me. I know that it might not be what I imagine, but your will is what I want for my life. Give me the patience to wait and see how you will work your plan out in my life and give me peace for the answers I may never know while here on earth. Amen.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Grieving With Hope

This past week has brought a sense of heaviness in my heart. My oldest child graduated from high school. She has achieved all that I could have possibly dreamed she would up to this point in life. To say I'm proud is an understatement. Completion of high school also means that life in our family is shifting. It won't quite be the same because she will experience a new season of life that will bring fresh experiences and countless life lessons. As I've talked to Cyd the last few days we both agree we feel a sense of sadness while simultaneously finding our hearts filled with hope for what is to come for our graduate.  Truthfully, the heaviness I feel is linked to other factors. For starters, this week marks 11 years since my Dad died from pancreatic cancer. I'm not a big death anniversary kind of person, but reaching a milestone with a child makes you miss a parent even more. The interesting thing about grief is that for most people, not a day goes by that you don't ...
Post a Comment
Read more

Lent Day 43

Scripture Reading Matthew 26:14-25 Have you ever betrayed someone? Betrayal...even the word evokes horrible images. Betrayal can take the form of unfaithfulness to a spouse or love one, lying or telling partial truth. It can take many different forms. Have you ever spoken cruelly about someone behind their back or have you chosen to not stand up for someone who is the punch line of an ugly joke? Have you ever broken a promise to a friend or family member? I am guilty of all these things. We are quick to cast stones at Judas. Obviously, with good reason, he betrayed Christ into the hands of those who would crucify him. Judas was a part of God's plan for the world's redemption. I have to ask myself, in what ways am I like Judas? What in my life, in words, in heart and in actions, is betraying my devotion and love for God? What am I willing to "sell" my relationship with God in exchange for something else? There is always something that competes for our loyalty to Christ...
Post a Comment
Read more

Lent Day 32

Scripture Reading Matthew 13:31-32 Jesus loved to use parables to teach people the truth of the kingdom of God. When Jesus taught using parables he was taking an example from the everyday life of his followers and using it to explain something about heaven or what it means to be a Christ follower.  In this very short parable, which is followed by an even shorter one, Jesus compares the Kingdom of heaven to a mustard seed. As Jesus says in the parable, the mustard seed was the smallest seed used by farmers during that time. The amazing thing about it was that it would grow and become quite large. The comparison that Jesus is making is that the kingdom of God or the kingdom of heaven starts out small but grows into something very large.  Think about it this way, the kingdom of heaven began with God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit, but through God's plan of redemption through Jesus' death on the cross it has grown to include millions of people throughout the cent...
Post a Comment
Read more