Debbie's Perspective

Just my thoughts of the day.

Apr 5

Easter Series: Despite It All

by Debbie

The three Gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke give very similar accounts of the things that transpired between Jesus entering Jerusalem to the praise of the crowds up to the Passover meal He had with His disciples. Matthew gives the most thorough account. Those Gospels give great insight into the teachings Jesus wanted to impart while He had time. He knew His time was at hand. These are the last things Jesus spoke before His crucifixion. I encourage you to read Matthew 21-26:16, Mark 10:32-14:11, and Luke 19:28-22:3.

John, however, shared with us something different. In John 12:20 there are some Greeks who had come to Jerusalem for the Passover celebration. They told Philip they were interested in meeting Jesus. Verse 22 says that Philip told Andrew and they went to ask Jesus together. It never says that Jesus met with them. It just tells us what He replied in verse 23,

“Now the time has come for the Son of Man to enter into his glory.”

What? Not a yes or a no. He goes on to say, “unless a kernel of wheat is planted in the soil and dies, it remains alone. But its death will produce many new kernels—a plentiful harvest of new lives.”

Then John 12:27, “Now my soul is deeply troubled. Should I pray, ‘Father, save me from this hour? But this is the very reason I came! Father, bring glory to your name.”

Bible commentary ties the visitation of the Greeks at the end of Jesus’ life with the visitation of the Magi at the beginning of Jesus’ life. He saw the seeking interest of these Gentiles as the signal that “the time had come for the Son of Man to enter into his glory.” Jesus was deeply troubled. He knew what awaited Him, but He also knew this was the reason He had come.

These verses, although spoken to a crowd, seem to be the internal thoughts of Jesus as He lays out the mission He came to earth to complete. The final sentence in verse 36 stood out to me, “After saying these things, Jesus went away and was hidden from them.” He was done.

The next verse starts with “But despite all the miraculous signs Jesus had done, most of the people still did not believe him.” (John 12:37 NLT) What? They’ve heard incredible wisdom from Him. He’s done amazing, miraculous miracles right in front of them, yet despite it all, they still didn’t believe him. Jesus implored them.

“Jesus shouted to the crowds, “If you trust me, you are trusting not only me, but also God who sent me. For when you see me, you are seeing the one who sent me. I have come as a light to shine in this dark world, so that all who put their trust in me will no longer remain in the dark.”

The same call from Jesus comes today to trust Him, trust the God who sent Him. But for those who don’t. . .

“But all who reject me and my message will be judged on the day of judgment by the truth I have spoken. I don’t speak on my own authority. The Father who sent me has commanded me what to say and how to say it. And I know his commands lead to eternal life; so I say whatever the Father tells me to say.”

Lord, in these last days, open blinded eyes and soften hardened hearts so that eyes can see, and hearts can understand, and they will turn to You and have You heal them. Bring the harvest.

Excerpts from John 12:20-50 NLT

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Apr 4

Easter Series: A Curse and a Whip

by Debbie

Yesterday we read about Jesus riding into Jerusalem on the colt of a donkey to crowds cheering Him and throwing down their garments and branches before Him. The disciples could have been wondering what He was going to do next. I would have probably been thinking that He needed to keep the crowd engaged, maybe do some more miracles, or preach another great sermon like the Sermon on the Mount.

We don’t see Jesus doing any of that, though. Mark 11:11 says, “So Jesus came to Jerusalem and went into the Temple. After looking around carefully at everything, he left because it was late in the afternoon. Then he returned to Bethany with the twelve disciples.” It doesn’t say He hung around and talked to the crowds or anything you’d think He would do if He was setting up an earthly Kingdom. He looked around the Temple and headed back to Bethany for the night. Were the disciples wondering what He was doing?

The next morning when they were leaving Bethany, Jesus was hungry. He saw a fig tree that was full of leaves, so he went over to it but found no figs, there were only leaves. “Then Jesus said to the tree, ‘May no one ever eat your fruit again!’ And the disciples heard Him say it.” (Mark 11:12 NLT)

This didn’t really make sense to me, so I read a commentary by David Guzik on this verse.  He says, “The tree was cursed for its pretense of leaves, not for its lack of fruit. Like Israel in the days of Jesus, it had the outward form but no fruit. In this picture, Jesus warned Israel – and us – of God’s displeasure when we have the appearance of fruit but not the fruit itself. God isn’t pleased when His people are all leaves and no fruit.”  Whoa!

After this, Jesus heads to the Temple where John 2:15 says He made a whip of cords and drove out the animals and money changers. He poured out their coins and overturned their tables. He told them in verse 16, “Take these things away; do not make my Father’s house a house of trade.” Mark 11:17 says, “The Scriptures declare, ‘My Temple will be called a house of prayer for all nations,’ but you have turned it into a den of thieves.” He was not out to win friends and influence people. He was there to do Kingdom business. This doesn’t sound like, to me, the meek and mild Jesus that everyone points to, declaring He’s okay with whatever they want to do.

His actions didn’t come without consequences, though. The Pharisees questioned His authority to do all these things. He ends up questioning them in Mark 11:27-33, but when they couldn’t answer Him, He didn’t answer them. And then He tells the parable of the Evil Farmers in Mark 12. When they realized they were ‘the wicked farmers’, they wanted to arrest Him but were too afraid of the crowds.

There’s a lot here to think about. We get a glimpse and a warning about God’s heart when it comes to hypocrisy (all leaves and no fruit) and His house. We are now His Temple. Maybe we should be cautious of allowing things that shouldn’t be in our temple.

Lord, forgive me when I’ve just gone through the motions or put on a show, and haven’t really produced the fruit you call me to produce. Forgive me for allowing things to come in and take up places that should be clean and pure before you.

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Apr 3

Easter Series: The Colt

by Debbie

Yesterday in my On the Road to Jerusalem post, I talked about how Jesus very clearly told His disciples that He was going to die, be buried, and be raised from the dead. Even so, in the very next verses in Mark 10:37, James and John were asking Jesus, “When you sit on your glorious throne, we want to sit in places of honor next to you, one on your right and the other on your left.”

Mark 10:38 says, “But Jesus said to them, ‘You don’t know what you are asking! Are you able to drink from the bitter cup of suffering I am about to drink? Are you able to be baptized with the baptism of suffering I must be baptized with?'” I think I might take a moment and say, hmmm, bitter cup of suffering? But they eagerly say, “Oh yes, we are able” in verse 39. Are they? They seem to be more interested in honor than suffering.

They had no clue what they were agreeing to. I wonder what they thought He was talking about? Further proof that they were looking for an earthly kingdom.

Most churchgoers celebrated Palm Sunday yesterday. This represents the day Jesus rode into Jerusalem on the colt of a donkey to a large crowd of people spreading their garments and cutting branches from the trees to lay before Him. Why was this day significant, and why was He riding the colt of a donkey?

Scripture tells us the answer in Matthew 21:4-5, “This took place to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet, saying, ‘Say to the daughter of Zion, Behold, your King is coming to you, humble, and mounted on a donkey, and on a colt, the foal of a beast of burden.’” This was a fulfillment of a prophecy given long ago by the prophet Zechariah about the coming Messiah.

You can see how the disciples were probably thinking that Jesus had it all wrong. He wasn’t going there to die. Here He was riding into Jerusalem to crowds praising Him. They had to be thinking, Yes! Now we are getting somewhere. The people are ready to follow Him and get this new kingdom going. They weren’t wrong. He was the coming King, but so much more than that, and not of the kind of kingdom they were hoping for.

Thank you, Lord, for knowing what we needed even when we didn’t. Let Your Kingdom come, let Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.

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Apr 2

Easter Series: On the Road to Jerusalem

by Debbie

As many of us do as Easter draws near, we start reading the Scriptures that talk about Jesus’ last days before His crucifixion, burial, and resurrection. As I read each of the Gospel accounts, I came across some verses where Jesus is talking to the disciples on their way to Jerusalem just before His triumphal entry.

I think because we are usually focusing on Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem, we can miss the few very important verses just before it.

“As Jesus was going up to Jerusalem, he took the twelve disciples aside privately and told them what was going to happen to him. ‘Listen,’ he said, ‘we’re going up to Jerusalem, where the Son of Man will be betrayed to the leading priests and the teachers of religious law. They will sentence him to die. Then they will hand him over to the Romans to be mocked, flogged with a whip, and crucified. But on the third day he will be raised from the dead.’” (Matthew 20:17-19 NLT)

This isn’t the first time Jesus talks about His death and resurrection to the disciples. In Matthew 16:21 He tells them He’s going to suffer many things, be killed, and on the third day be raised. Again, in Matthew 17:22-23, He tells them He will be delivered into the hands of men, killed, and raised on the third day.

The Gospels of Mark and Luke also have three accounts each of Him explaining what will happen to Him. Why did the disciples not understand? There’s a clue in Luke 9:44 ESV when Jesus says, “Let these words sink into your ears: The Son of Man is about to be delivered into the hands of men.” Was Jesus saying, Hey look guys, I’m about to tell you something really important. Don’t miss it? I think so. He needed them to pay attention and listen carefully. Then in verse 45, “But they did not understand this saying and it was concealed from them, so that they might not perceive it. And they were afraid to ask him about this saying.”

What does the phrase, “it was concealed from them, so that they might not perceive it” mean?

Did God conceal it from them so that they might not perceive it yet? Was Jesus telling them all of it now, with the purpose being that they would remember and understand after the fact? But what would the purpose be for that? Why would he tell them multiple times, and here, implore them to let it sink into their ears? I think He really wanted them to listen and understand. If they hadn’t been afraid to ask Him what He meant, maybe He would have been able to help them understand. I wonder what they were afraid of? Looking silly or ignorant? Were they afraid Jesus would get angry?

Did Satan conceal it from them? I don’t think so because he didn’t know what Jesus’ death would do. First Corinthians 2:8 ESV says, “None of the rulers of this age understood this, for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.”

Could it possibly mean that their perceptions and beliefs about the Messiah prevented them from hearing the truth, even though it was spelled out so clearly for them? I believe this is the most likely reason they couldn’t perceive it. We know that many of the Jews believed the kingdom the Messiah was going to usher in was an earthly kingdom that would remove their enemies’ rule over them and make them a mighty nation.

They only had eyes for a natural kingdom on earth. Second Corinthians 2:14 ESV, says, “The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned.”

It’s clear to us now, even though it wasn’t clear to the disciples at that moment, that the Kingdom Jesus was ushering in was a spiritual Kingdom that could only be spiritually discerned. Until the disciples were filled with the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost, there were truths they could not perceive.

Even with the Holy Spirit living in us, are there mysteries of God that we do not perceive because we have our own ideas, agendas, perceptions, and beliefs that block us from having eyes to see and ears to hear?

Lord Jesus, help us to lay down any perceptions and beliefs that keep us from clearly seeing and understanding Your Word and Your purposes and plans on the earth today. Don’t let your truths be concealed from us.

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Dec 25

The Journey

by Debbie

A fictional depiction of the Christmas story from Mary’s perspective.

The journey was hard. It was rocky and steep in places. Poor Joseph had to stop for me so many times. Traveling so close to the baby’s time coming was not at all what we would have chosen. Joseph reminded me often that even though Caesar Augustus called for this census, it was really all in God’s hands. This baby was prophesied to be born in Bethlehem, so he will.

I was afraid sometimes, but I thought of how sure the angel was when he told me all that would happen, so I held on to those promises and knew it would all work out the way it should.

Bethlehem was so crowded. There were people everywhere from all over the region. For the first few nights, we slept out in the fields close to the village. There were encampments all around us. Joseph made friends with a man who owned a cave where he sheltered his animals. He was so kind to give Joseph some straw for me to sleep on so the ground wouldn’t be so hard. The day the pains started, I knew I couldn’t give birth in the midst of all these people. Joseph went to the Inn to try to get us a room. He begged the man, but there was no room for us there. We had almost given up any hope of having privacy when his friend with the cave offered it to us. I knew God would provide; I just didn’t know how.

We settled into the warm space. It wasn’t ideal, but it was better than the field. The pains were coming closer together, so I knew it wouldn’t be long. I was so grateful I spent those months with Elizabeth so I would know what to expect when my time came. I wished she could have been with me then.

When it was time, it almost seemed like a dream. The baby came so fast and so easy, nothing like I had heard from other mothers. Before I knew it, he was in my arms. I took out the swaddling cloths I had prepared and wrapped him snugly in them. He was the sweetest thing I’d ever seen. “I’m a mother now,” was all I kept saying to myself. Even though I knew this child was very different, he was still mine. The love that flooded my heart was overwhelming. My mother told me I would feel this way, but until I did, I couldn’t imagine it was so life-changing.

Joseph was so tender. He took this child in his arms, and the look of pure joy on his face made me cry. He thought I was in pain, but I told him I was so thankful for him through it all. I understood why God had chosen him to be Jesus’ father here on earth. Jesus, that’s the name the angel told us to give him. A name that everyone in Israel will know. They didn’t know it yet, but their Savior had been born.

The night was dark, and we laid Jesus in the manger filled with fresh hay. Joseph told me to rest and sleep, and he’d keep watch. I don’t know how long I had been asleep when I was awakened by several men outside the cave. Joseph stepped in front of the manger and me and asked the men what they wanted.

At first, we could hardly understand what they were saying. They were talking excitedly all at once. Finally, Joseph got them to calm down and explain one at a time why they were there. The story they finally told was almost unbelievable, but I knew it was true as soon as they said it.

They had seen one angel at first, and just that one angel had lit up the field as though it was daytime. He had told them that he came with good news that would bring great joy to all people. And then he told them that the Savior, the Messiah, had been born in Bethlehem. They were to look for a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths lying in a manger.

I sat there, taking in every word they spoke. The angel, the glory that shown as bright as the sun, then the angel army that burst into the sky. Warrior angels so fierce one would make a man fall as dead on his face, but they were singing with great joy proclaiming this good news. The very army of heaven was singing about my baby. I would think about their story throughout the years, especially during those first hard years as we ran from Herod into Egypt. This was one more proof that my child didn’t just belong to me but to all mankind.

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Dec 24

30 Days in the Christmas Story: Day 30

by Debbie

To be honest, I wasn’t sure that I would be able to spend 30 days in the Christmas story. I kept trying to change the name when I first knew that I was going to start this, but the Holy Spirit kept prompting me to stick with the original title He gave me. I had to trust that He would lead me through it all. And here we are on day 30 with one small section of scripture to discuss.

“When Herod died, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt. ‘Get up!’ the angel said. ‘Take the child and his mother back to the land of Israel because those who were trying to kill the child are dead.’ So, Joseph got up and returned to the land of Israel with Jesus and His mother. But when he learned that the new ruler of Judea was Herod’s son Archelaus, he was afraid to go there. Then, after being warned in a dream, he left for the region of Galilee. So, the family went and lived in a town called Nazareth. This fulfilled what the prophets had said: ‘He will be called a Nazarene.’” Matthew 2:19-23 (NLT)

So, Herod dies, and the angel tells Joseph to head back home to Israel. It’s possible that Joseph thought to move to Jerusalem, which you’d think would be a good place for the Messiah to grow up and be educated. The temple, the religious leaders, and the priests were there. Once Joseph entered Israel, he heard of the new ruler and probably how cruel and wicked he was, like his father.

If you remember, Nazareth is the same village God sent the angel Gabriel to Mary in Luke 1:26. I can imagine Joseph and Mary excited that they are able to come back to Israel, their home. They could have made their plans to go to Jerusalem, get Jesus in with one of the top Rabbis, and build their life there, waiting for Jesus to rule and reign one day. But once they get closer, they hear about Herod’s son. Suddenly, their plans could be taking Jesus right back into danger. God is not going to let them go too long without direction. I’m sure they were praying and asking for His help all along. Joseph has a dream warning him that his fears are well-founded. Did God tell Joseph in his dream to go to Nazareth, or did He just say not to go to Jerusalem, and then Joseph and Mary decided to go back to their hometown where family and friends would surely help them build a good life until Jesus’ time came? Whether God specifically told them to go or directed their hearts, their settling in Nazareth was God’s plan all along.

The village of Nazareth wasn’t just another little village. Charles Spurgeon says, “There is always some city or village or another whose inhabitants seem to be the butt of every joke and the object of scorn. The people of such places are thought to be low, uncultured, and not very smart. That is the kind of place Nazareth was.” Why would God the Father have Jesus grow up in this despised town? Was it just the beginning of the fulfillment of these words?

“He was despised and rejected—a man of sorrows, acquainted with deepest grief.” Isaiah 53:3

 “When Jesus’ parents had fulfilled all the requirements of the law of the Lord, they returned home to Nazareth in Galilee. There the child grew up healthy and strong. He was filled with wisdom, and God’s favor was on Him.” Luke 2:39-40 (NLT)

We’ve come to the end of our exploration but are far from the end of all that could be examined and learned from this amazing Christmas story. I hope that, like myself, you’ve seen something new and grown in a deeper understanding of the message of Christ’s birth.

The overall truth is that the Word of God is living and offers new and amazing insights every time we take the time to read it and dig deeper for what He wants to show us. I encourage you to continue to explore God’s Word for yourself.

Merry Christmas!

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Dec 23

30 Days in the Christmas Story: Day 29

by Debbie

The story we talked about yesterday is not usually a part of the sweet Christmas pageants we like to watch. The jealousy and hatred of a cruel king leaving devastation in his wake as he tries to remove the threat of the newborn King he fears seems in sharp contrast to the angels singing joyfully in the field while shepherds watch with awe. The worship around the manger and the majesty and treasure of the wise men are all the things we look to and remember as we celebrate the birth of Jesus.

The truth of the other part of the story is the whole reason Jesus had to come, why we needed God with us, and why it’s such a joyous celebration. Sin and death had its grip on all men. It came into the earth, taking men captive from the moment Adam made his choice to disobey God’s command.

“When Adam sinned, sin entered the world. Adam’s sin brought death, so death spread to everyone, for everyone sinned. Yes, Adam’s one sin brings condemnation for everyone, but Christ’s one act of righteousness brings a right relationship with God and new life for everyone.” Romans 5:12 and 18 (NLT)

In our first couple of days, we read in Isaiah 9 that the people who walk in darkness would see a great light. Jesus was and is that light.

“For a child is born to us, a son is given to us. The government will rest on His shoulders. And He will be called: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” Isaiah 9:6 (NLT)

And this is why we don’t dwell on the brutal action of Herod because no matter what he may have tried to do in his evil schemes, he could never change the plans and purposes of God. Evil will never prevail. While Herod lived, Joseph and Mary with Jesus would be kept protected as they waited in Egypt.

Today’s truth is that darkness is in the world, but the light of Jesus shines brighter and stronger.

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Dec 22

30 Days in the Christmas Story: Day 28

by Debbie

“After the wise men were gone, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream. ‘Get up! Flee to Egypt with the child and his mother,’ the angel said. ‘Stay there until I tell you to return, because Herod is going to search for the child to kill him.’ That night Joseph left for Egypt with the child and Mary, his mother, and they stayed there until Herod’s death. This fulfilled what the Lord had spoken through the prophet: ‘I called my Son out of Egypt.’” Matthew 2:13-15 (NLT)

Once again, we see Joseph given instructions on what to do, and once again, we see his quick obedience. It’s easy to see Joseph as a background character because there isn’t much written about him except for the first two chapters of Matthew and Luke. Mary needed only to believe, and she conceived by the Holy Spirit, but Joseph needed to believe and obey. He needed to do what God told him to do and not rely on his own wisdom and understanding.

If we take a hard look at the instructions to Joseph to take Mary and the babe to Egypt, he could have had a lot of questions. Egypt was known for its paganism, and it certainly didn’t have a great track record for God’s people. It wouldn’t be easy to go to Egypt and settle his family there. But Joseph had trusted the Lord this far, and He had always come through, even to the point of bringing them the resources they would need to allow them to travel and settle in this foreign land without financial hardship. Of course, the threat of a jealous king who was intent on coming to kill the child would have been quite enough to spur someone to jump into action. Joseph left that very night. He didn’t take a few days to get things in order.

The next few verses tell us that Herod was furious when he realized the wise men did not return to him but went another way. In his rage, he sent soldiers to kill all the male children in Bethlehem who were two years old and under. He based this on when the wise men said the star had first appeared.

“Herod’s brutal action fulfilled what God had spoken through the prophet Jeremiah: ‘A cry was heard in Ramah—weeping and great mourning. Rachel weeps for her children, refusing to be comforted, for they are dead.’” Matthew 2:17-18 (NLT)

This is the part of the story that has always broken my heart. I can’t imagine living in the small town of Bethlehem, and one day soldiers burst through my door, take my child and kill him. There would be no explanation, and even if there was, how could you ever comprehend the cruelty and evil of it all? And Herod didn’t just take the lives of those two and under in Bethlehem but villages surrounding it as well. Herod had two of his own sons killed, so why would he even blink at the slaughter of these innocents? His jealousy, hatred, and ruthlessness had no bounds.

Today’s truth is this, the world Jesus was born into was and still is in desperate need of a Savior.

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Dec 21

30 Days in the Christmas Story: Day 27

by Debbie

Herod was not happy to hear that there was a newborn king of the Jews. It would seem that a baby would not be a threat to him, but if wealthy, wise men from the East are already seeking this king out, then others would too. Herod did not share power with anyone.

Herod met with the religious leaders and teachers and found out where the child was born based on prophecy. Now he needs to find out when the wise men saw the star. He has a private meeting with them and tells them to go to Bethlehem and find the child, then come back and tell him so he can go worship the child, too.

“After this interview, the wise men went their way. And the star they had seen in the east guided them to Bethlehem. It went ahead of them and stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they were filled with joy! They entered the house and saw the child with his mother, Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped Him. Then they opened their treasure chests and gave Him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.” Matthew 2:9-11 (NLT)

In all the Christmas pageants, nativity scenes, and songs, the wise men show up and worship next to the shepherds as Jesus lay in the manger. But commentaries say that Jesus was probably anywhere from 6 to 18 months old when they arrived. They believe the star may have appeared on the night of Jesus’ birth, and it would have taken the wise men several months to travel to see Him. It’s interesting that the star they had originally seen in the East was now guiding them to Bethlehem and to the specific place where the child was. In The Passion Translation commentary on verse 2:10, it says, “The Greek is hard to translate since it contains so many redundant words for joy in this one verse. It is literally, ‘They rejoiced with a great joy exceedingly.’ They were ecstatic. This was no mere star to them.

It is also believed that there were several wise men and not just three, as we usually see depicted. It is probably because there were three gifts. Many have noted that the three gifts had special significance. The gold represented royalty, frankincense represented divinity, and myrrh represented His death, but most believe that while we can attribute these to Jesus now, the wise men were probably unaware of these things and were only bringing the lavish gifts to honor a king which was the custom, especially in the East. More than lavish gifts, they gave Him their worship. The picture of wealthy, learned men with gifts around them, bowing to worship this small child as king, is an amazing picture to imagine.

When the wise men departed, they were warned in a dream not to return to Herod, so they went home another way. I wonder if they already suspected that Herod had other motives for wanting their information. Whether or not they did, they were obedient to the warning and not complicit in Herod’s plans.

Today’s truth is a quote from Charles Spurgeon: We see a wonderful pattern: “Those who look for Jesus will see Him: those who truly see Him will worship Him: those who worship Him will consecrate their substance to Him.”

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Dec 20

30 Days in the Christmas Story: Day 26

by Debbie

Joseph and Mary probably thought they would be unknown as they entered the temple. They were a poor young couple just coming to the temple to complete the purification according to the law of Moses. Now Simeon has come and held their son, speaking amazing things over him, and before they can go on their way, another comes in, Anna, a prophetess. She was widowed after only seven years of marriage and has lived in the temple fasting and praying night and day, from then until now, at age 84.

“She came along just as Simeon was talking with Mary and Joseph, and she began praising God. She talked about the child to everyone who had been waiting expectantly for God to rescue Jerusalem.” Luke 2:38 (NLT)

So far, we’ve seen that from the time of Jesus’ birth, those who encountered Him ended up praising God and telling everyone they knew about Him, but let’s move back into Matthew and see if everyone feels the same way.

Matthew begins chapter two, letting us know that Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea during the reign of King Herod. He was known for many good things but was also known for being very paranoid and cruel. In fits of rage and jealous paranoia, he was reported to have killed close associates and family members. Caesar Augustus was known to say that it was safer to be Herod’s pig than it was to be Herod’s son.

Wise men from the East arrived in Jerusalem asking about a newborn king. This was not going to go over very well.

“Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We saw His star as it rose, and we have come to worship Him.” King Herod was deeply disturbed when he heard this, as was everyone in Jerusalem, which really means just the leaders. We know that Simeon and Anna were thrilled, and there were others who were waiting expectantly for their Messiah. Herod called a meeting of the leading priests and teachers of the religious law and asked, “Where is the Messiah supposed to be born?” Matthew 2:2-4 (NLT)

Wealthy, wise men have traveled far from the East to come and worship this baby, who is a king from birth. That in itself is incredible. He is already ruling and reigning before he has ever done one thing, which is evidenced by those who immediately recognize his kingship and worship him and those who recognize it and are deeply disturbed by it.  

The leading priests and teachers of religious law should have been as joyful as the shepherds seeking their Messiah. They knew exactly where He was supposed to be born. They can quote Micah 5:2. They knew He would be born in Bethlehem and that He would be ‘a Ruler who will shepherd My people Israel.’ So why aren’t they ecstatic, why are they deeply disturbed? They were supposed to be leading the people of Israel spiritually. Instead, hearing this meant a threat to their power as it did Herod’s. This is probably why they didn’t get a visit from the angels proclaiming the birth.

Today’s truth is this, to those who recognize their need for a Savior, Jesus is life. To those who seek their own power and authority and reject Him, He is a threat. The same treatment Jesus received as He walked this earth is the same that believers can expect. Paul states in 2 Corinthians 2:16 (NLT) – “To those who are perishing, we are a dreadful smell of death and doom. But to those who are being saved, we are a life-giving perfume.” When we seek to save our reputation over seeking Him, we are no better than the religious leaders in Jesus’ day.

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