Month: December 2015

Then Herod secretly summoned the wise men and asked them the exact time the star appeared. He sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search carefully for the child. When you find Him report back to me so that I too can go and worship Him.” Matthew 2:7-8 HCSB

I have been in full-time ministry for almost 40 years now and have served several local churches, the denomination (Missouri Baptist Convention), and LifeWay Christian Resources. I have seen many people select a church based on size, the programs offered, the pastor, and social or professional standing. I have also seen people leave a church for the same reasons. Some leave because they do not get what they want or disagree with the leadership in some way. What is your reason for going to church?

Herod did not want to go and worship Jesus. He wanted to find Him so he could have him killed. Even though our manger scenes include the wise men visiting Jesus at birth, we know that it was about one to two years after the birth of Jesus that the wise men arrived. By this time Mary and Joseph had established a home and were living in Bethlehem. We know that when Herod discovered that he had been tricked by the wise men when they did not return to him, he ruthlessly had all of the baby boys under two years of age in Bethlehem killed in his unsuccessful attempt to kill the “King of the Jews” who had been born there.

Challenge: Why are you going to church? Are you seeking to really worship Jesus or are you there for other reasons? Are you seeking your own political or personal gain or are you there to worship the King of the universe – Jesus Christ?

So he assembled all the chief priests and scribes of the people and asked them where the Messiah would be born. “In Bethlehem of Judea.” they told him, “because this is what was written by the prophet: And you Bethlehem, in the land of Judah are by no means least among the leaders of Judah: because out of you will come a leader who will shepherd My people Israel.” Matthew 2:4-6 HCSB

It is Christmas time and many children make their requests for certain gifts. Most parents try to get their children what they want, but often because of funds they are unable to purchase what the child wants. They may purchase a different gift from what the child was hoping for and expecting.

The Jewish people had been hoping and looking forward to the promised Messiah as recorded in many different places in the Old Testament. Matthew is referring to the prophecy recorded in Micah 5:2 regarding the Messiah being born in Bethlehem. Most Jews were hoping for a great military and political deliverer from the Roman government. The religious leaders and the Jewish people did not get what they expected. Instead, they got a small baby boy born in a stable to a poor boy and girl, Joseph and Mary, in the obscure village of Bethlehem. This was not exactly what they had pictured as the coming Messiah to deliver them.

Challenge: Even though the religious leaders understood the Scriptures, they refused to accept Jesus as the Messiah because it was not what they were looking for. What are you looking for in life? What are you expecting from Jesus? Only Jesus can provide the peace and purpose in life that you are seeking. Peace and purpose does not come through more worldly possessions or even good health. Jesus knows what is best for you and will give you what you need rather than what you want. Trust Him. Read Proverbs 3:5-6.

When King Herod heard this, he was deeply disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him. Matthew 2:3 HCSB

Appointed by the Roman government, King Herod or Herod the Great was the ruler over the Jewish nation. Jerusalem was the seat of government. He was a ruthless man who ordered his wife, two sons, and other family members killed out of fear that they would overthrow him as king. When he heard that a King of the Jews had been born, he was upset. He was the king of the Jews and was not willing to share his throne with anyone. It would be natural that the people of Jerusalem would be fearful of what King Herod would do if he felt his throne was threatened.

Herod was not a Jew and the Jews did not recognize him as their legitimate leader. They still looked to their religious leaders for leadership. The Jews did not like Herod nor the Roman government. Herod did not want the Jewish people to unite behind a new religious leader. The people would have welcomed a Jewish king who could stop the control of the Romans. The Jewish nation was a long way from Rome and certainly the people would have desired to gain control back from the Roman government through the promised Messiah, who they believed would be a political and powerful Messiah rather than a spiritual Messiah.

Challenge: It is ironic that Herod, one of the most powerful men in the world, was afraid of a small baby boy. Herod’s fears drove him to do things that were ruthless and cruel. Fear can cause a person to react in ways that are not normal. Many times throughout the Bible God’s people were instructed, “Do not be afraid.” What are your afraid of? Turn your fears over to the Lord and allow Him to show you how you can best conquer the fears in your life.

After Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of King Herod, wise men from the east arrived unexpectedly in Jerusalem, saying, “Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we saw His star in the east and have come to worship Him.” Matthew 2:1-2 HCSB

I served a church in Houston, Texas, pastored by a compassionate servant of God, Paul Rutledge. He and his wife invited the church staff over to their house one night for dinner. I remember going into their den where each wall had rich brown shelves from floor to ceiling. Each shelf was filled with books. I jokingly asked Paul, “Have you read all of these?” His reply amazed me when he said, “Yes.” I came to find that Paul was a “wise man”. He was one of the most intelligent men I have ever known. He was very knowledgable and pursued his doctorate degree in Cultural Anthropology, then taught in several universities. He believed that if we as Christians were to reach the world with the message of Jesus Christ, we must understand the cultures of the many people around the world. I am sorry to say that Paul’s life was cut short by cancer.

The Scriptures refer to these men as “wise men” or “Magi”. They were likely astrologers and educated men. We do not know exactly their country of origin. Some speculate that they could have been from Babylon and would have had access to copies of the Old Testament from the time when the Jews were in exile in the country. They could have studied the Scriptures and known of the coming “Messiah” or “King of the Jews”. The special star could have been a conjunction of several planets coming together or the God who created the heavens and earth could have placed a special star in the heavens to celebrate the birth of His Son Jesus Christ.

Challenge: We have heard the phrase, “Wise Men Still Seek Him”. Hopefully, you are like the wise men of old and you are seeking Christ: seeking to make Him Lord of your life; seeking to become a better disciple of Jesus. Pray that God will guide your search as you seek Jesus each day.

When Joseph got up from sleeping, he did as the Lord’s angel had commanded him. He married her but did not know her intimately until she gave birth to a son. And he named Him Jesus. Matthew 1:24-25 HCSB

I never served in the military, but it is my understanding that when an officer or high ranking official gives a command or order it is not questioned but immediately obeyed. The same is true in a company when the CEO or President makes a decision; others carry out the mandate to do what has been decided. In a local church, the pastor is the ultimate authority and sometimes has to make a final decision on what is going to be done concerning an activity or procedure.

Joseph did not question the angel or what he was commanded to do. The Scripture says that Joseph immediately followed through with doing what he needed to do, even though it may have brought ridicule or questions from friends and family. Joseph was not concerned with with what others thought as much as he was concerned with following God’s plan and direction for his life.

Challenge: Sometimes we make decisions based on what others will think rather than on what is right. We must follow Joseph’s example and obey God and do what is right, regardless if others disapprove of what we are doing.

Now all of this took place to fulfill what was spoken by the Lord through the prophet. See, the virgin will become pregnant and give birth to a son, and they will name Him Immanuel, which is translated “God is with us.” Matthew 1:22-23 HCSB

bibleprobe.com reports that there are over 360 prophecies foretold about the coming Jewish Messiah – hundreds of years before Jesus was born in Bethlehem. Jesus fulfilled all of those prophecies. Of these 360 prophecies, there are 109 that only Jesus could have fulfilled. To mention a few: Micah 5:2 predicts that the Messiah will be born in Bethlehem. Isaiah 7:14 predicts He will be born of a virgin. Malachi 3:1 predicts that the temple will be standing when the Messiah comes. Isaiah 35:3-5 predicts that He will perform many miracles. Psalm 78:2 predicts He will speak in parables.

The odds of Jesus fulfilling just eight of the prophecies is 1 in 100,000,000,000,000,000. Jesus fulfilled all of the prophecies. This verse in Matthew is referring to the prophecy made by Isaiah stating that the Messiah would be born of a virgin and He would be called Immanuel or “God is with us”. God came to earth in human form through Jesus Christ and He continues to be “with us” every day through the presence of the Holy Spirt.

Challenge: Every believer has access to Jesus Christ through the Holy Spirit. Christ is with us through the good and the bad times of life. He is near to help us and guide us in the right direction. Thank God for providing Jesus as your Savior and for “being with you”.

Note: God was with me during prostate cancer surgery. Thanks to all who were praying for me. I am home recovering. I appreciate your continued prayers for a quick recovery.

But after he had considered these things, an angel of the Lord suddenly appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, don’t be afraid to take Mary as your wife, because what has been conceived in her is by the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son and you are to name Him Jesus, because He will save His people from their sins.” Matthew 1:20-21 HCSB

As I write this devotional I am facing prostate cancer surgery. I have had five surgeries in my lifetime. There is a bit of fear of what will happen during and after any surgery. I have had many people say they are praying for me and some have actually stopped and prayed with me for peace and that the surgery will go well. These prayers have helped calm my fears.

Naturally, Joseph was afraid and did not want to proceed with the marriage. God knew what Joseph was feeling and sent an angel to tell him to not be afraid. The angel confirmed what Mary had told him concerning why she was pregnant. The angel also told him that the Child would be a Son and to call Him Jesus. Additionally, He would save His people from their sins. Put yourself in Joseph’s shoes and try to imagine what he was thinking and feeling. Mary had told him she was pregnant by the Holy Spirit, then an angel appeared and told him to go ahead and take Mary as his wife. Next he was told that the child would save His people from their sins. That is a lot to comprehend. The angel helped calm Joseph’s fears and doubts.

Challenge: Trust God when you have doubts and fears. He is in control and knows exactly what you are going through. You may not understand the why, but you can always trust God to do what is best in every situation, even when it does not seem to be good at the time.

So her husband Joseph, being a righteous man, and not wanting to disgrace her publicly, decided to divorce her secretly. Matthew 1:19 HCSB

There were three steps in a Jewish marriage. First, the two families agreed to the marriage. Second, there was a public announcement of the engagement. Third, the couple was married and began living together. The engagement period is similar to today’s engagement but unlike today’s engagement in that the relationship could only be broken by divorce or death. An engagement was much like being married, but the couple did not live together or have any intimacy until after the marriage ceremony.

Unfaithfulness carried a severe penalty. Mary was pregnant and had seemingly been unfaithful to Joseph and their engagement. Joseph had the right to divorce Mary, and the Jewish authorities could have had her stoned to death (Deuteronomy 22:23-24). Joseph decided to divorce Mary secretly and not disgrace her publicly. I can only imagine the thoughts that Joseph had when Mary told him she was pregnant by the Holy Spirit.

Challenge: When has God put a difficulty or problem into your life that was hard to believe? How did you handle it? Follow Joseph’s example and do what is right in every situation, even when it is difficult to do so.

The birth of Jesus Christ came about this way: After His mother Mary had been engaged to Joseph, it was discovered before they came together that she was pregnant by the Holy Spirit. Matthew 1:18 HCSB

While in college I wrote a paper titled, “Jesus as God and Man”. There are some religions that believe that Jesus was all God in human form while others argue that Jesus was fully man and was supernaturally empowered by God. I believe that Jesus was both God and man. I cannot fully explain how Jesus could be both, but I believe He was 100% God and 100% man. Our human minds cannot comprehend that concept any more than we can understand the Trinity of God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit.

Jesus was the small baby born of a human mother. He had to experience everything that we experience as humans (temptation, fears, doubt, sadness, grief, happiness, joy, etc.) He had to be fully man to take our place on the cross and die for our sins. On the other hand, Jesus had to be fully God to perform the miracles of feeding 5,000 people with only two fish and five loaves of bread, walking on water, healing the sick, and bringing people back to life from the dead.

He was the Son of God so He had no trace of sin in His life. Since Jesus was without sin, He was the perfect sacrifice for our sins. He was without spot or blemish in any way. He died in our place so that we might have forgiveness of our sins and gain eternal life as children of God. Only Jesus has the power to deliver us from death. Because He was human we can share our struggles and feelings with Him and He understands.

Challenge: Thank God for coming to earth in human form and paying the penalty for your sins. Read Hebrews 4:15-16 and Colossians 2:13-15 to gain further insight into how Jesus was both God and man.

“His winnowing shovel is in His hand, and He will clear His threshing floor and gather His wheat into the barn. But the chaff He will burn up with fire that never goes out.”. Matthew 3:12 HCSB

While my garden is growing in the summer I water it, fertilize it, weed it, and pick the vegetables for cooking and eating. As summer comes to a close, the brisk cool winds of fall begin and the leaves begin to turn their brilliant red and yellow colors. The plants in my garden may still have green leaves, but they produce fewer and fewer vegetables until they no longer produce anything. At this time I pull them up and put them in a pile to be burned or thrown away with the trash.

Matthew uses the winnowing shovel, threshing floor, wheat, and chaff to paint a very vivid picture of Judgment day when Christ will judge everyone and will gather His children (those who have believed and accepted Him as Lord and Savior) to come into His kingdom and will discard those who are unrepentant and unworthy to do God’s work. Those who are discarded will be burned with an everlasting fire that will never end.

Challenge: Are you ready for Judgment Day? If not, it is as simple as A-B-C to know Christ as your personal Lord. A – Admit you are a sinner. B – Believe that Jesus is the Son of God, He lived a perfect life, died on the cross, was buried, and raised from the dead and lives today. C – Confess Jesus as your personal Lord and Savior. Do not be part of the chaff that will be burned in the everlasting fire. God wants you in His kingdom and is preparing a place for you.