Meditation

Hi there,

Today we read (and then copy) from Matthew how Jesus' birth immediately begins to alter and affect the wider world and quickly see almost every available reaction to the good news of Jesus Christ.

Both secular and religious authorities and the wider populace are immediately stirred by bombshell news brought to Jerusalem not by witnesses but by foreigners who, like the shepherds, have been drawn to worship him.

Upon their arrival (likely with a large and conspicuous caravan), they announce they are there to worship a new, recently born King and have been drawn there by 'his star' (an almost throwaway detail smuggled into the verse but which would have had a profound impact on listeners.)

Slowing down to write this out, your familiarity with the passage peels away, and you realize just how big a deal this foreign presence and news would rightly have been to the people of Jerusalem.

We read that Herod was troubled...and "all of Jerusalem with him." Leaving open two potential readings, first that they were simply troubled at the news, and/or that they were troubled because Herod was troubled, and that meant trouble for them all.

Either way, to the first-time hearer, Jesus was then and is now either wonderful news or trouble.

He cannot be benign.

Finally, we see the reaction of religious leaders, which is, to say the least, casual, given the magnitude of what they are telling Herod.

They can say it, but they can't see it.

Today's passage is Matthew 2:1-6

Matthew 2

2 Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem,

2 Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.

3 When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him.

4 And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he demanded of them where Christ should be born.

5 And they said unto him, In Bethlehem of Judaea: for thus it is written by the prophet,

6 And thou Bethlehem, in the land of Juda, art not the least among the princes of Juda: for out of thee shall come a Governor, that shall rule my people Israel.

Encouragement

Today's Carol is "O Come All Ye Faithful".

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