THE WISE MEN OR THE KING
by Jerry Watts
Scripture: Matthew 2:1-2, Matthew 2:4-6, Matthew 2:8-12, Matthew 2, Matthew 2
The Wise Men or the King
Jerry Watts
Matthew 2:1-12
With this being the first Sunday of December, I have felt led to point us to the birth of Christ, knowing, this commemoration was upon us and that then we will have a new calendar year to forge.
I am asking us to think selfishly and look backward for a few moments. As you consider these past 12 months, what is it that you have learned which makes you more like Christ? What traits do you display today that 12 months ago you didn't? What part of scripture has taken on new meaning to teach you something which you never knew before?
Candidly, considering these questions can be a painful experience. God's desire for each of us is to learn and grow every day, let alone, every year. Yet, we seem to miss His best for us.
The Story of the Wise Men which we have read intrigues me. This is one story which I can say takes on new meaning for me almost year.
Most of the stories in the Bible show contrasts. Think about it; Daniel and Nebuchadnezzar, Rich Man and Lazarus, Older and Younger brothers, and here the Wise Men and King.
While we all like to ''think'' we identify with the good and right of the wise men, I have a fear that too often our attitudes, qualities and characteristics are more like Herod.
Let's compare the two and initially survey NOT where we WANT to be, but where we ARE and then consider where we ARE and where we are committing to GO and BE.
Characteristics of the Wise Men - The ''wise men'' (or ''magi'' as is used by some translators) are men who, quite likely came over from Persia. No one knows exactly where they came from, but Persia is probably the most probable because of the similarities in belief systems. These men were obviously astrologers or more simply stated, ''Star Men'', they studied the stars. Based on their study of the stars, they acted. I see at least 3 characteristics to which we can compare ourselves.
Tremendously Curious - Why do I say, ''tremendously curi ...
Jerry Watts
Matthew 2:1-12
With this being the first Sunday of December, I have felt led to point us to the birth of Christ, knowing, this commemoration was upon us and that then we will have a new calendar year to forge.
I am asking us to think selfishly and look backward for a few moments. As you consider these past 12 months, what is it that you have learned which makes you more like Christ? What traits do you display today that 12 months ago you didn't? What part of scripture has taken on new meaning to teach you something which you never knew before?
Candidly, considering these questions can be a painful experience. God's desire for each of us is to learn and grow every day, let alone, every year. Yet, we seem to miss His best for us.
The Story of the Wise Men which we have read intrigues me. This is one story which I can say takes on new meaning for me almost year.
Most of the stories in the Bible show contrasts. Think about it; Daniel and Nebuchadnezzar, Rich Man and Lazarus, Older and Younger brothers, and here the Wise Men and King.
While we all like to ''think'' we identify with the good and right of the wise men, I have a fear that too often our attitudes, qualities and characteristics are more like Herod.
Let's compare the two and initially survey NOT where we WANT to be, but where we ARE and then consider where we ARE and where we are committing to GO and BE.
Characteristics of the Wise Men - The ''wise men'' (or ''magi'' as is used by some translators) are men who, quite likely came over from Persia. No one knows exactly where they came from, but Persia is probably the most probable because of the similarities in belief systems. These men were obviously astrologers or more simply stated, ''Star Men'', they studied the stars. Based on their study of the stars, they acted. I see at least 3 characteristics to which we can compare ourselves.
Tremendously Curious - Why do I say, ''tremendously curi ...
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