December 25, 2023

THE MAGI – THE KING MAKERS

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE

Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the reign of King Herod. About that time some wise men from eastern lands arrived in Jerusalem, asking, “Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We saw his star as it rose, and we have come to worship him.” King Herod was deeply disturbed when he heard this, as was everyone in Jerusalem. He called a meeting of the leading priests and teachers of religious law and asked, “Where is the Messiah supposed to be born?” “In Bethlehem in Judea,” they said, “for this is what the prophet wrote: ‘And you, O Bethlehem in the land of Judah, are not least among the ruling cities of Judah, for a ruler will come from you who will be the shepherd for my people Israel.’” Then Herod called for a private meeting with the wise men, and he learned from them the time when the star first appeared. Then he told them, “Go to Bethlehem and search carefully for the child. And when you find him, come back and tell me so that I can go and worship him, too!” After this interview the wise men went their way. And the star they had seen in the east guided them to Bethlehem. It went ahead of them and stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they were filled with joy! They entered the house and saw the child with his mother, Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasure chests and gave him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. When it was time to leave, they returned to their own country by another route, for God had warned them in a dream not to return to Herod.

Matthew 2:1-12 NLT

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TODAY’S THOUGHT

The story of the wise men is always a beautiful part of the Christmas story. For years people have assumed there were three, but the truth is there was probably an entire group of wise men known as Magi. They were not kings, but they were king makers. They studied science, religions, and astronomy and believed the movement of stars signals events on the earth. Most scholars believe they came from Babylon some 1000 miles from Jerusalem. In the Old Testament book of Daniel, we learn in chapter five that Daniel, a Jewish captive taken to Babylon, had become the chief of the Magi. This happened six hundred years before Jesus was born.

It is likely that Daniel added the prophecies of the Jews to the study of the Magi. God was preparing them for a task they did not understand. They would be the ones who would recognize the baby Jesus as a king and present Him with expensive gifts.

The gifts of the Magi represent His kingship (gold), lordship (frankincense), and death (myrrh). But they also served as a practical resource to provide funds for the young family to travel to Egypt to escape the wrath of Herod.

Today we need to pause and remember that God is always working. He is our Provider and can bring people from a thousand miles away to provide His resources. He oversees the timing of our lives. He knows what we need, when we need it.

Life may look chaotic and confusing, but God is working. Let’s look for the work of God this Christmas.

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TODAY’S PRAYER

Father God, I believe that You are working today in my world. Just as You worked two thousand years ago at the birth of Jesus. I ask You to help me see what You are doing. Help me to be a part of Your plan in my world.

“Scroll down to share what you feel God is saying based on today’s reading.”