Scripture: Matthew 2:7-9
Then Herod secretly called for the magi and found out from them the time when the star had first appeared. He sent them to Bethlehem, saying, “Go and search carefully for the child. When you’ve found him, report to me so that I too may go and honor him.” When they heard the king, they went; and look, the star they had seen in the east went ahead of them until it stood over the place where the child was.
Thought for the Day: We are just a few days away from our Camel Walk. I confess that I get a little giddy and goofy as we approach this new tradition in the life of our congregation. The story of the Magi (the Wisemen) is one of the best known in scripture. There are folks who know nothing of the Jesus story, but they can tell you that three guys and camels brought gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. What I want us to focus on in today’s devotional is Herod sending the Magi to search for the child. We know there was an alternative motive as Herod wanted to knock off this threat to his power. I’m sure his request sounded sincere to the ears of the Magi, but later they learned otherwise. As I make some hermeneutical leaps (interpretation and application of scripture), I wonder how often people have used others to look all religious while having alternative motives? Even if the alternative motive is not seeking out the death of someone, have we ever been used by someone or some group so that their less than Christ-like actions appear to have the church’s blessing? Sadly, I believe this happens often in people’s pursuit of power and money. In the Jesus resume’, it sure appears as if Jesus isn’t that interested in attaching his name to anything except those who are striving to surrender their lives to the ways of kindness, mercy and self-sacrificing love.
Prayer: Let my pursuit of you, O Gracious God, be as genuine as possible. I know there are many things within me that need work, and often there are alternative motives within my own heart. Through confession and a heart that trusts your grace, allow me to continue to grow in my commitment to you and your ways. Amen.
EPIPHANY SUNDAY
Camel Walk
at
10am
Starting at Meyer Park
Worship
One Service
at
10:30am
Lunch To Follow
