Daily Bread 2011 - Matthew 2
Daily Bread Together 2011 – Matthew 2
Verse of the Day – Matthew 2:10-11 “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 worshipped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.”
What Does This Mean? Matthew is the only gospel that mentions the journey of the Magi (aka “Wise Men”), who came in response to the star (they were astrologers from Persia). Back in the 6th century B.C., Daniel played this role (Rab-Mag, Chief of the Magi) and became a leader in both the Babylonian and Persian empires, after his success in interpreting dreams for the Persian Kings. Later in his life, Daniel made many prophecies relating to the rise and fall of earthly powers and eventually the apocalypse.
As these Magi followed the star, they found the baby Jesus and gave him gifts befitting a King. “Magi” is plural, meaning there was more than one of them, but the tradition of “three wise men” comes from the three gifts given to the baby Jesus. There are various interpretations given to the gold, frankincense, and myrrh; but the bottom line is they were all ordinary offerings and gifts given to a king.
And whereas these foreign astrologers were overjoyed to discover the King, they were looking for, King Herod, is threatened by the prospect of this coming “King of the Jews”. He had scribes from the Jewish council that knew enough to tell him the Messiah was prophesied in Micah to come out of Bethlehem, whose name means “house of bread”. After fearing his own kingship is in jeopardy, rather than worshipping this new born King, Herod tries to con the wise men into finding Jesus for him so he can “worship him” as well. Meanwhile after being warned in a dream, the wise men avoid Herod, who viciously kills all the boys two years old and younger in Bethlehem, and return to their own country.
What Does This Mean For Us? We see right away Jesus would be no ordinary king. Some would come to worship him as the King of Kings, and others would see him as a threat to their own dominions of power and try to get rid of him.
As we make our search for Jesus, we too will be led to discover His Kingship. And like those in Jesus’ day, we have a choice to make. We can either worship Him as King, or offer Him gifts befitting of a King. Or, we can be like Herod and see him as a threat to our own control and power. As we worship Jesus as King and offer our gifts to Him, we can participate in God’s kingdom coming here on earth looking forward to the day when the King of Kings will return in power to set up an everlasting Kingdom.
Jesus, you were born as a royal King, in the line of David, but also born of God. May we be led by the Holy Spirit like the wise men to discover your Kingship in our lives and offer the gifts we have in worship of You. Amen.
Verse of the Day – Matthew 2:10-11 “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 worshipped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.”
What Does This Mean? Matthew is the only gospel that mentions the journey of the Magi (aka “Wise Men”), who came in response to the star (they were astrologers from Persia). Back in the 6th century B.C., Daniel played this role (Rab-Mag, Chief of the Magi) and became a leader in both the Babylonian and Persian empires, after his success in interpreting dreams for the Persian Kings. Later in his life, Daniel made many prophecies relating to the rise and fall of earthly powers and eventually the apocalypse.
As these Magi followed the star, they found the baby Jesus and gave him gifts befitting a King. “Magi” is plural, meaning there was more than one of them, but the tradition of “three wise men” comes from the three gifts given to the baby Jesus. There are various interpretations given to the gold, frankincense, and myrrh; but the bottom line is they were all ordinary offerings and gifts given to a king.
And whereas these foreign astrologers were overjoyed to discover the King, they were looking for, King Herod, is threatened by the prospect of this coming “King of the Jews”. He had scribes from the Jewish council that knew enough to tell him the Messiah was prophesied in Micah to come out of Bethlehem, whose name means “house of bread”. After fearing his own kingship is in jeopardy, rather than worshipping this new born King, Herod tries to con the wise men into finding Jesus for him so he can “worship him” as well. Meanwhile after being warned in a dream, the wise men avoid Herod, who viciously kills all the boys two years old and younger in Bethlehem, and return to their own country.
What Does This Mean For Us? We see right away Jesus would be no ordinary king. Some would come to worship him as the King of Kings, and others would see him as a threat to their own dominions of power and try to get rid of him.
As we make our search for Jesus, we too will be led to discover His Kingship. And like those in Jesus’ day, we have a choice to make. We can either worship Him as King, or offer Him gifts befitting of a King. Or, we can be like Herod and see him as a threat to our own control and power. As we worship Jesus as King and offer our gifts to Him, we can participate in God’s kingdom coming here on earth looking forward to the day when the King of Kings will return in power to set up an everlasting Kingdom.
Jesus, you were born as a royal King, in the line of David, but also born of God. May we be led by the Holy Spirit like the wise men to discover your Kingship in our lives and offer the gifts we have in worship of You. Amen.
Comments
Post a Comment