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Bothered by the Birth

Matthew 2:1-3 (NLT)
1 Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the reign of King Herod. About that time some wise men from eastern lands arrived in Jerusalem, asking,
2 “Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We saw his star as it rose, and we have come to worship him.”
3 King Herod was deeply disturbed when he heard this, as was everyone in Jerusalem.

I'm not sure who said it first, but I heard Dr. Phil say it years ago, and so I'll attributed it to him:  "When Momma ain't happy, ain't nobody happy!"
Well, in the first century, it was King Herod...and he was deeply disturbed when he heard news of a King born of the Jews.
This story in Matthew 2 follows Matthew's account of the birth of Jesus at the end of chapter 1.  None of the other Gospels include this story of the visit of these "Magi" - star searches - from another country.  I'll share more about them tomorrow.

Herod "reigned" in Judea.  The Romans had divided the area of Palestine into several governmental units, but Jerusalem was the most important, and that they put Herod in charge.  Herod was partly Jew by ancestry, but he was all Roman in terms of power, material goods, morals and life purposes.  He controlled Judea with an iron fist - for 33 years total.
This week North Korea's Kim Jong ll died and with him a brutal dictatorial reign that looks like might continue thru his son.  When you think of Herod, think Kim Jong ll.

Herod was hated by the Jewish population - both for his brutality as well as for his suppression of all that was good for faithful Jews to love and serve God.  They never accepted him as King, just a despot who the Romans controlled their people through.
The idea that a "King" had been born would have great troubled him.  The fact that it was "baby" was of little consolation to Herod...it was a rival, and Herod crushed all rivals.

I'm struck how Christmas brings out both love and disdain among people.  For many people, Christmas is a reminder that God so loved the world that he sent his Son to come and redeem all - at least all who want redemption.  Christmas is amazing - not because of the music and glitter, but because it becomes a celebration of all that is good and needed in the world.
Psalm 65:1-5 (NLT)
1 What mighty praise, O God, belongs to you in Zion. We will fulfill our vows to you,
2 for you answer our prayers. All of us must come to you.
3 Though we are overwhelmed by our sins, you forgive them all.
4 What joy for those you choose to bring near, those who live in your holy courts. What festivities await us inside your holy Temple.
5 You faithfully answer our prayers with awesome deeds, O God our savior. You are the hope of everyone on earth, even those who sail on distant seas.

At the same time there are those who every year seek to squash all public recognition of Jesus' birth.  It seems that every year someone will declare their unbelief and seek to do something to publicly diminish the celebration of Christmas for those who believe.  What do we do with that?

The announcement of Jesus' birth is done through an Angel, Shepherds and Magi...a strange mixture of spiritual beings, common laborers, and foreigners.  The point is, it is an announcement to those who believe and seek him - and for those who don't it's disturbing.
No matter the upsetting...or the discouraging words...I wish them a Merry Christmas, and hope that the name of Jesus becomes precious in their heart and mind.  It is a time to celebrate the announcement, not argue it.

Peace

Comments

Paul said…
Yes Elliott. As we read scripture we read that Jesus says "follow me". So we keep reading and come to Mark 12:31, and he tells us to "Love your neighbor as yourself." I noticed it doesn't say love only the people who believe in Jesus, or love only the people who are going to love you back. The commandment to me means love everyone. The fact is it is hard to love people who don't love us back. As 1st John says, "If you love me you will obey my commands." We will always have people who for whatever reason seem to not want to accept the FREE gift Jesus was put on this earth for, but as you say no matter the upsetting...or discouraging words...love everybody. It's that "upside down Kingdom" you have been mentioning lately in church. What a differece we can make for the sake of God's Kingdom if we learn how to really care about everyone.
December 20, 2011 at 2:05 PM
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