Tag: Christmas

Week 11 | Section 14, 15

Too many people in this world are consumed by the need for power. King Herod, being one of them, pursued Jesus – the infant born “King of the Jews” and sought his destruction trying to defend his perception of power. However, God’s plan of salvation was not to be stopped, and Herod’s unrighteous acts simply added to the list of prophesies that would be fulfilled by Jesus.

Rather than trying to justify our value or argue for seats of power, we should follow the lead of those magi who were among the first to worship him in humility and awe.

Scripture:
Matthew 2:1-12¹ | Section 14

1 Now² when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of King Herod, behold, wise men³¯⁴ from the east came to Jerusalem, saying, 2 “Where is he who is born King of the Jews? For we saw his star in the east,⁵ and have come to worship him.” 3 When King Herod heard it, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. 4 Gathering together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he asked them where the Christ would be born. 5 They said to him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for this is written through the prophet, 6 ‘You Bethlehem, land of Judah, are in no way least among the princes of Judah: for out of you shall come a governor, who shall shepherd my people, Israel.’ ” 7 Then Herod secretly called the wise men, and learned from them exactly what time the star appeared. 8 He sent them to Bethlehem, and said, “Go and search diligently for the young child. When you have found him, bring me word, so that I also may come and worship him.” 9 They, having heard the king, went their way; and behold, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, until it came and stood over where the young child was. 10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceedingly great joy. 11 They came into the house⁶ and saw the young child with Mary, his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Opening their treasures, they offered to him gifts: gold, frankincense, and myrrh.⁷ 12 Being warned in a dream⁸ not to return to Herod, they went back to their own country another way.

Matthew 2:13-18 |Section 15

13 Now when they had departed, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream,⁹ saying, “Arise and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and stay there until I tell you, for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him.” 14 He arose and took the young child and his mother by night, and departed into Egypt,¹⁰ 15 and was there until the death of Herod; that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying, “Out of Egypt I called my son.”16 Then Herod, when he saw that he was mocked by the wise men, was exceedingly angry, and sent out, and killed all the male children who were in Bethlehem and in all the surrounding countryside, from two years old and under, according to the exact time which he had learned from the wise men.¹¹ 17 Then that which was spoken by Jeremiah the prophet was fulfilled, saying,18 “A voice was heard in Ramah, lamentation, weeping and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children; she wouldn’t be comforted,because they are no more.”¹²

Group Dialog:

1. The writings of the prophets had circulated and prepared even the magi to come worship the new king. How did God work to prepare your heart to worship the Lord even before you believed?
2. Talk about these paradigms: power and authority; worship and self-aggrandizement; control and stewardship.
3. What can we learn from today’s lesson about the providence and power of God and the will of human beings?
4. What would you be inclined to bring Jesus if he were to appear again in our lifetime? What do you offer Him each day?

Learning Objectives:

prophesy (ordained and foreknown), providence; discernment, decision, God’s will, divine intervention,  humility, seasons of service, servant-leadership,