The Women of Christmas: And Our Eyes Shall See Him Devo

January 6th, 2019

Devotional

“The Women of Christmas: And Our Eyes Shall See Him”

  Matthew 2: 1-12

Keep the sermon topic and Biblical text preaching all week by following Pastor Michelle on twitter @tinypastor and reading her sermon blog www.revmichelle.blogspot.com

Monday: “Travel Afar” - Matthew 2: 1-2

  There is a very short story by Henry Van Dyke that I would like to share with you this morning entitled The Story of the Other Wise Man. It tells the tale of a wise man who was not part of the group that reached Bethlehem. He too saw the star rise in the sky. He too had heard the prophecies. He invited other wise men to come to his home and he told them that he was going to venture off to see the King with gifts of precious jewels. The other men the room just starred at him at first. Then they started to come up with excuses. This wasn’t truly the fulfillment of the prophecy. Others thought he was crazy. One could not leave his office. Another was too old. Yet another had a wife and children to think of first. Another stated that he was ill. So the wise man was left to venture out with a small group of other pilgrims. 

As I was first reading this story, I had to wonder how many of us wouldn’t have sought out Jesus if we lived during the time. How many of us would have made excuses? Or wondered what other people would think of us for going on such a pilgrimage? How many of us would truly set out on a journey based on a prophesy and a star? To an unknown place for an unknown period of time. 

The truth that stings just a little is many of us probably would have reacted just as the many wise men in that house in Van Dyke’s story. We wouldn’t have made the journey that took years - almost two years in fact - because we could have thought of a thousand reasons not too. And probably the men who made the journey could have thought of some of those same reasons not to go, yet they went anyway. 

Do you think you would have made this journey long ago? Why or why not?

Prayer: God, when we stop and think about how far the Magi came to worship you and what they risked to seek a King, it is astounding. Lord, may we too, offer you our hearts and lives to do astounding things, this day and always. Amen.  

Tuesday: “A King” - Matthew 2: 2-4

Their journey brought them to the palace of King Herod where they blatantly asked him “where is the child who has been called the King of the Jews?” Now maybe they thought that Herod already knew about the new King’s presence, or maybe they thought that was just as excited as they were at the thought of the promised one, but Herod didn’t quite respond the way they expected. He responded with fear and he sent the wise men to search for the child on his behalf.

  The question of the wise men and Herod’s reaction still apply to us today. The wise men arrival would not have been a common thing in the palace. The fact they were foreigners from so far away made them exotic and novelties. Yet, they had a purpose in their visit, even if it concerned Herod, they had come to see the King. Not him, but someone greater than him. What do you think the Magi thought when they found Jesus? Was he the type of King that they expected to find? Or the one that we would expect to find? Probably not. Because of his birth. His parents. His followers. His death. Jesus was not the King that everyone expected.

 And yet, maybe that should have been the type of King they expected. For the God of the Jews, not their God, had reached out to them through a star, something they studied and knew, to lead them to this unconventional place after a long, unconventional journey. 

What type of King do you think the Wise Men were seeking?

Prayer: Lord, we come before you today asking you to be our King. The King of our hearts. The King of our lives. All too often we call you Lord and Savior, but we don’t live as if you are truly Lord and Ruler of our lives. So we offer all we are before you again today asking that you use us mold us, shape us, all for your will. Amen. 

Wednesday: “Herod” - Matthew 2: 5-7

Herod did not see the wise men’s presence or proclamation as a good thing. He didn’t have eyes and a heart that were open to see the appearance of the star from the same perspective that the wise men did. So he acted out of fear - fear of losing his power and place. But don’t we act the same way from time to time as well? We try to control Jesus and his message and story because we are fearful that it will make us unpopular? Or will lead to us losing our place in society, or amongst are friends and family? So we send out others to search for Jesus, not because we want them to have a relationship with Christ, but to make us more popular with them, when they come to believe. 

What happens when we let fear rule our lives?

Prayer: Lord, sometimes we are so quick to give into our fears. Fears of the future and what will come. When fears start to eat us alive, we quickly make choices that do not honor your will and way. In these moments, grant us the peace of your abiding presence and coax us back to the life abundant. Amen. 

Thursday: “Gifts for the Christ” -Matthew 2: 8-11

  We are told in the Biblical account that the wise men had come to pay homage to the baby Jesus and when they reached where he and his parents were staying that they were “overwhelmed with joy”. They didn’t come to study Jesus, or just to see him - they had come to worship this child they had went lengths to meet. Can we say the same today? Do we come to church because we feel like we have to or to learn something new? Or do we come to truly have our hearts open to worshipping Christ? 

When they went to present the child with their gifts - they weren’t exactly what you would call child appropriate. The wise men brought gifts that weren’t necessarily useful - gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. These gifts that proclaimed just how precious they believed this child King to be. And were generous. Are we as generous with giving Jesus our treasures today? Or do we worry more about what he may ask us for instead of what we are to give? Are we concerned about giving him too much or too little? Does the use of resources proclaim just how precious we believe Jesus to be?

  What do you want to offer unto Christ in the New Year?

Prayer: Lord, when we look at the gifts the Magi bring, we are struck both by what they foretold and their lavishness. May we come and lavish the gifts we hold most dear upon you this year, as an act of worship and may such gifts proclaim to the world who you are. Amen. 

Friday: “Transformed” - Matthew 2: 10-12

  The Wise Men were transformed by their journey and worship of the Christ Child. After praising him, they were warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, as he was seeking to kill the child. So they left home by another way.  Aren’t we too transformed? Isn’t it true that we can no longer take the same road which we came on? Isn’t it true that nothing in our lives is ever the same?

I have to wonder what stories the wise men had to share when they returned to their group at home. How did those who made excuses feel about missing this opportunity to meet the True King? Did their excuses seem silly now? Did they wish they could have such a transformative experience as well? 

May we, like the Wise Men, be transformed as we seek out and worship Christ. 

What transformation are you seeking in your life?

Prayer: Lord, we pray that we approach the news of your birth, life, death, and resurrection, not out of fear, but out of respect that is due to you as our Lord, Savior, and King. Transform us this day. Amen. 

Saturday: Preparing for the Word

You are invited to read and pray this week’s text and topic: “Daring to Dream” - Genesis 28: 10-13