The Advent season is a time of anticipation, waiting, and preparation. During the month of December, Time With God will break from its regular format to explore selected passages and characters connected with the coming of Jesus, Emmanuel, God with Us.
GETTING STARTED
I was so focused on what was going on in my life, that I didn’t see it. The light had come on and it glowed on my dashboard, small and red and ominous. But the worries of my work and a difficult conversation with a friend blinded me to the signal warning me that something was wrong. It was only the loud, unnatural clack of the engine that awoke me to the fact that I had run my car completely out of oil.
- What indicator lights do you try to pay attention to on a daily basis? What, if anything, prevents you from seeing them?
READ THE WORD: MATTHEW 2:1-12 (ESV)
2:1 Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem, 2 saying, “Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.” 3 When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him; 4 and assembling all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. 5 They told him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for so it is written by the prophet:
6 “‘And you, O Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,
are by no means least among the rulers of Judah;
for from you shall come a ruler
who will shepherd my people Israel.’”
7 Then Herod summoned the wise men secretly and ascertained from them what time the star had appeared. 8 And he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, “Go and search diligently for the child, and when you have found him, bring me word, that I too may come and worship him.” 9 After listening to the king, they went on their way. And behold, the star that they had seen when it rose went before them until it came to rest over the place where the child was. 10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. 11 And going into the house they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh. 12 And being warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed to their own country by another way.
English Standard Version, copyright 2001 by Crossway Bibles. Used by permission. All rights reserved
DIGGING DEEPER
- How many times is the word “star” used in this passage? What is the role of the star, and who noticed it first?
- What were Herod’s actions and emotions after learning about the star? What clues from this passage tell you why Herod reacted this way? What was his concern?
- What were the wise men’s actions and emotions about seeing the star and meeting Jesus? What was their concern?
- Do you rejoice that there is one who came to be king in and over your life?
RESPOND TO GOD
The wise men followed a star. They had eyes to see God’s indicator light, a herald of a new thing happening in their midst. They rejoiced and gave their riches to the new child king, welcoming him to be their Lord. Herod’s eyes, however, were so fixed on staying in control of his power that he hadn’t even noticed the great star of hope and warning hanging in the sky. He was blind to the light, and he stayed in great darkness. Do you have eyes to see?
- Spend some time confessing to God those things that compete for your attention and challenge God’s leadership in your life. Is there anything that you are not willing to give over to God?
- Thank God for the light of his Word and ask him to give you eyes to see.
