Scripture Scribbles: January 8, 2023

the Gospel

Matthew 2:1-12

When Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea,
in the days of King Herod, 
behold, magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem, saying, 
“Where is the newborn king of the Jews?
We saw his star at its rising
and have come to do him homage.”
When King Herod heard this,
he was greatly troubled, 
and all Jerusalem with him.
Assembling all the chief priests and the scribes of the people, 
He inquired of them where the Christ was to be born.
They said to him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, 
for thus it has been written through the prophet:
And you, Bethlehem, land of Judah,
are by no means least among the rulers of Judah;
since from you shall come a ruler,
who is to shepherd my people Israel.”
Then Herod called the magi secretly 
and ascertained from them the time of the star’s appearance.
He sent them to Bethlehem and said, 
“Go and search diligently for the child.
When you have found him, bring me word, 
that I too may go and do him homage.”
After their audience with the king they set out.
And behold, the star that they had seen at its rising preceded them, 
until it came and stopped over the place where the child was.
They were overjoyed at seeing the star, 
and on entering the house
they saw the child with Mary his mother.
They prostrated themselves and did him homage.
Then they opened their treasures 
and offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, 
they departed for their country by another way.

the devotion

Herod was “greatly troubled” at the news of the newborn king of the Jews.  In fact, “all Jerusalem with him” was greatly troubled at this news brought by the magi from the East.

Insecurity can be a powerful thing.  It can drive us to think things, say things, and do things that inevitably bring about the worst in us.  Fear can be just as powerful, if not more.  The evil one uses these weak points to steer us away from what is good, true, and beautiful, from the men and women our Father has created us to be.

It was insecurity and fear that filled Herod in this moment and drove him to pursue seeking out Jesus (through the use of the magi) in order to kill him.   

I am mindful here of my own fears and insecurities.  Do I allow these to take hold of different areas of my life?  Do I try even harder to control everything and everyone around me in hopes of suppressing these taunting thoughts and make myself “feel good inside?”  Do my actions reflect love and trust in Jesus or unnecessary distress and hopeless grasping?

Let us look to the magi, the wise men… Kings themselves, they “prostrated themselves” and worshipped the child Jesus.  They entered into the poor household and gave honor and praise to a baby!  A tiny baby!  Their trust in God opened their eyes to the miracle and joy before them – God incarnate!  Unlike Herod trapped in fear and insecurity, their words and actions were born from a place of love and trust in God.  “They opened their treasures and offered him gifts…”  This is the type of fruit we can expect in our lives when we remain rooted in Christ, steadfast in our love and trust in Him.  

Lord, keep us close to you this day and every day.  I offer you my fears and uncertainties and humbly ask that you would replace them with a deeper faith and confidence in You.  I love you Jesus.  Amen.

Today’s devotion was written by Kaitlin Gilday