January 29th, 2024
by Randy Eliason
by Randy Eliason
Matthew 2:1-12
SCRIPTURE HIGHLIGHTS:
Matt. 2:2 “We saw his star as it rose, and we have come to worship him.”
Matt. 2:4-6 “Where is the Messiah supposed to be born?” “In Bethlehem in Judea,” they said, “for this is what the prophet wrote: ‘And you, O Bethlehem in the land of Judah, are not least among the ruling cities of Judah, for a ruler will come from you who will be the shepherd for my people Israel.'"
OBSERVATIONS:
The “magi” made a long journey to honor Jesus even though they had little if any knowledge of the Jewish scriptures and the promises of the Messiah. They possessed limited revelation from God, but believed and acted upon what God revealed. They followed God’s warning not to go back to Herod. On the other hand, the Jewish priests who knew the prophesy in their scriptures about the place of the Messiah’s birth did NOT go to honor Jesus.
Jesus birth in Bethlehem was the fulfillment of the OT Prophet Micah (See Micah 5:2)
APPLICATION:
The fact that God revealed the birth of Jesus to the Magi, who were pagan astrologers, shows us that God’s Messiah and Savior is not just for the Jews but for the whole world.
The fact that Jesus was born in Bethlehem JUST as the prophet predicted gives us reason to trust that Jesus is the Messiah and it reminds us that God is faithful to deliver on his promises.
If the Magi, with the limited knowledge they had, were obedient to God’s word to them, how much more should I be obedient!
PRAYER:
Dear Lord, help me now to respond to your word like the Magi did with joy and obedience, rather than doubt and hesitation. Remind me today that being in the presence of Jesus is worth the sacrifice of time and material possessions. Lord, thank you for reminding me that your word is full of prophesies which have already been fulfilled. I will trust that you will continue to fulfill those promises that have not yet come about. If Jesus came just as you promised, he will come again just as you have promised!
SCRIPTURE HIGHLIGHTS:
Matt. 2:2 “We saw his star as it rose, and we have come to worship him.”
Matt. 2:4-6 “Where is the Messiah supposed to be born?” “In Bethlehem in Judea,” they said, “for this is what the prophet wrote: ‘And you, O Bethlehem in the land of Judah, are not least among the ruling cities of Judah, for a ruler will come from you who will be the shepherd for my people Israel.'"
OBSERVATIONS:
The “magi” made a long journey to honor Jesus even though they had little if any knowledge of the Jewish scriptures and the promises of the Messiah. They possessed limited revelation from God, but believed and acted upon what God revealed. They followed God’s warning not to go back to Herod. On the other hand, the Jewish priests who knew the prophesy in their scriptures about the place of the Messiah’s birth did NOT go to honor Jesus.
Jesus birth in Bethlehem was the fulfillment of the OT Prophet Micah (See Micah 5:2)
APPLICATION:
The fact that God revealed the birth of Jesus to the Magi, who were pagan astrologers, shows us that God’s Messiah and Savior is not just for the Jews but for the whole world.
The fact that Jesus was born in Bethlehem JUST as the prophet predicted gives us reason to trust that Jesus is the Messiah and it reminds us that God is faithful to deliver on his promises.
If the Magi, with the limited knowledge they had, were obedient to God’s word to them, how much more should I be obedient!
PRAYER:
Dear Lord, help me now to respond to your word like the Magi did with joy and obedience, rather than doubt and hesitation. Remind me today that being in the presence of Jesus is worth the sacrifice of time and material possessions. Lord, thank you for reminding me that your word is full of prophesies which have already been fulfilled. I will trust that you will continue to fulfill those promises that have not yet come about. If Jesus came just as you promised, he will come again just as you have promised!
Randy Eliason
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Archive
2026
January
Reading Plan : 1 Corinthians Reading PlanDay 1: 1 Corinthians 1:1-9 (Greeting & Thanksgiving )Day 2: 1:10-17 (Unity in Christ, Not Division)Day 3: 1:10-17 1:18-31 (The Cross: God’s Wisdom and Power in What Seems Weak)Day 4: 2:1-9 (The Spirit Reveals God’s Wisdom and Power)Day 5: 2:10-16 (The Spirit Grants Understanding and Discernment)Day 6: 3:1-9 (Co-workers for God: Building His Church Together) Day 7: 3:10-17 (Building God’s Church: Foundation of Christ, and Holiness)Day 8: 3:18–23 (Boasting in Christ: The Foolishness of Worldly Wisdom) Day 9: 4:1-5 (Servants of Christ: Trusting God’s Judgment, Not Ours)
February
Day 10: 4:6-13 (The Apostles’ Way: Humility and Suffering)Day 11: 4:14-21 (Imitate Me: A Father’s Loving Admonition in Christ)Day 12: 5:1-13 (Loving Discipline: The Church Called to Holiness)Day 13: 6:1-11 (Disputes: God’s Wisdom in Love, Not the World’s Way)A Christian Perspective on Sexual MoralityDay 14: 6:12-20 (The Body as God’s Temple: Living in Holiness and Honoring Him)Day 15: 7:1-16 (Living Faithfully in Every Circumstance)Day 16: 7:17-24 (Living Faithfully in God’s Calling)Day 17: 7:25-40 (Living Faithfully in Every Decision)Day 18: 8:1-13 (Knowledge Guided by Love: Caring for the Weak)Day 19: 9:1-12 (Sacrificing Rights for the Gospel)Day 20: 9:19-27 (Running the Race for Christ: Discipline and Devotion)Day 21: 10:1-13 (Learning from Israel: enduring Temptation with faith)
March
Day 22: 10:14-22 (United in Christ, Separate from Idols)Day 23: 10:23-11:1 (Love Over Liberty: Living to Glorify God and Consider Others) Day 24: 11:2-16 (Honoring God's Order and Respecting Roles)Day 25: 11:17-34 (The Lord's Supper: Unity, Reverence, and Self-Examination) Day 26: 12:1-11 (One Purpose, Many Gifts: Used to Build the Church and Glorify God) Day 27: 12:12-31 (One Body, Many Parts: Unity Love in the Church)Day 28: 13:1-7 (The Characteristics of True Love)Day 29: 13:8-13 (Love Above All: The Greatest Virtue) Day 30: 14:1-25 (Spiritual Gifts That Build Up the Church in Corporate Worship)
2025
March
Reading Plan : The Gospel of John Reading Plan1. John 1:1-18-Jesus, the Word Made Flesh(The Incarnation)2. John 1:19-28 - John the Baptist: The Forerunner of Christ3. John 1:29-34 Jesus, the Lamb of God Who Takes Away Sin4. John 1:35-51 Jesus Calls His First Disciples5. John 2:1-12 Jesus Turns Water into Wine6. John 2:13-25 Jesus, the True Temple of God7. John 3:1-21 Jesus, the Giver of Eternal Life8. John 3:22-36 Believe in Jesus, Receive Eternal Life9. John 4:1-19 Jesus, the Giver of Living Water10. John 4:20-26 Jesus Teaches True Worship11. John 4:27-42 Jesus Calls Workers for the Harvest of Souls12. John 4:43-54 Jesus Heals an Official’s Son13. John 5:1-18 Jesus Heals at the Pool of Bethesda14. John 5:19-29 Jesus, the Son Who Shares the Father’s Authority15. John 5:30-47 Jesus, The Fulfillment of Scripture16. John 6:1-21 Jesus, the Prophet (Deuteronomy 18:15)17. John 6:22-59 Jesus, the Bread of Life (Exodus 16:4, 14-15)18. John 6:41-71 Jesus, the Source of Eternal Life19. John 7:1-24 Jesus at the Feast of Tabernacles20. John 7:25-52 Jesus, the Messiah rejected by the World21. John 8:1-30 Jesus, the Light of the World22. John 8:31-59 Jesus Declares Freedom23. John 9:1-23 Jesus Heals the Man Born Blind24. John 9:24-41 Jesus, the just judge of the world25. John 10:1-21 Jesus, the Good Shepherd and the Door26. John 10:22-42 Jesus, One with the Father27. John 11:1-27 Jesus, the Resurrection and the Life28. John 11:28-44 Jesus Raises Lazarus from the Dead29. John 11:45-57 The Plot to Kill Jesus30. John 12:1-19 Jesus's Triumphal Entry
April
31. John 12:20-36 Jesus Foretells His Death32. John 12:37-50 The Unbelief of the People33. John 13:1-20 Jesus Washes the Disciples’ Feet34. John 13:21-38 Jesus Predicts His Betrayal and Peter’s Denial35. John 14:1-14 Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life36. John 14:15-31 The Promise of the Holy Spirit37. John 15:1-17 Jesus, the True Vine38. John 15:18-27 Christ's followers hated by the world39. John 16:1-15 The Holy Spirit: Convicting, Guiding, and Glorifying Christ40. John 16:16-33 The Coming Victory of the Cross41. John 17:1-19 Jesus’ High Priestly Prayer42. John 17:20-26 Jesus’ Prayer for Unity Among His Followers43. John 18:1-14 Jesus’ Arrest44. John 18:15-27 Peter’s Denial of Jesusand Peter’s Denial Copy45. John 18:28-40 Jesus Before Pilate46. John 19:1-16 Jesus, the Suffering Servant Condemned47. John 19:17-30 The Crucifixion of Jesus48. John 19:31-42 Jesus’ Burial49. John 20:1-31 The Resurrection and Victory of Jesus50. John 21:1-25 Following Jesus into the World
2024
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2 Comments
Amen,
We are pilgrims on a journey, much like the wise men who, upon seeing his star, news of the birth of Messiah Jesus, traveled a long distance. Similar to those wise men, we walk the path of faith in this land, listening to the gospel of the true Savior, aiming to offer our worship and lives to Him. Like the scholars who believed and embarked on a faith-filled journey simply upon seeing His star once, we too are journeying in faith.
The purpose of our life journey is to glorify God and delight in Him forever(WSC 1).
Oh Lord, Though this journey ahead may not always be clear, and at times my heart may waver, feeling tempted to give up, grant me the strength to endure this journey with faith. May I live a life offering worthy worship and gifts to you God. Grant specific fruits of faith in my life. Enable me to hear the gospel, live according to its teachings, and practice its principles in my daily life.
The Magi did what we would normally do by going to the existing king and ask about the new king - maybe they thought it was his son that had been born - human logic - Once they were told that the new king was to be born in Bethlehem they set out again following the star - When they found Jesus [who was now a child not baby] they left their gifts and listened to God's direction and did not return to Herod to report. We often seek the advice of the natural human sources first - could be lawyers, doctors, therapists and later ask God what they right path is - sometimes He will say no to the "natural" path and lead us in a different direction which is the best in that situation - We should ask God first and follow His will and we will avoid going down paths that lead to trouble - I wonder what would have happened if they had not gone to Herod first - maybe the slaughter of all those children would have been avoided??