Focus:
kjv@Revelation:14:12 @ Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.
(
FaithOfJesus thread begun by r
RandyP )
Today's Verse:
kjv@Matthew:2:1-12
kjv@Matthew:2:1 @ Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem,
kjv@Matthew:2:2 @ Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.
kjv@Matthew:2:3 @ When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him.
kjv@Matthew:2:4 @ And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he demanded of them where Christ should be born.
kjv@Matthew:2:5 @ And they said unto him, In Bethlehem of Judaea; for thus it is written by the prophet,
kjv@Matthew:2:6 @ And thou Bethlehem, in the land of Juda, art not the least among the princes of Juda; for out of thee shall come a Governor, that shall rule my people Israel.
kjv@Matthew:2:7 @ Then Herod, when he had privily called the wise men, enquired of them diligently what time the star appeared.
kjv@Matthew:2:8 @ And he sent them to Bethlehem, and said, Go and search diligently for the young child; and when ye have found him, bring me word again, that I may come and worship him also.
kjv@Matthew:2:9 @ When they had heard the king, they departed; and, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was.
kjv@Matthew:2:10 @ When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy.
kjv@Matthew:2:11 @ And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh.
kjv@Matthew:2:12 @ And being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way.
Today's notes:
Context:
What is man believing/doing?:
- traveling from afar at the sighting of a star (with treasure)
- all Jerusalem troubled at sight of wise men
- king inquiring from chief priest and scribes
What is making man to believe/do as he is doing?:
- wise men - perhaps familiarity with Jewish prophets such as Daniel, for the intent of worship
- Jerusalem - if Persian recent occupation of city, possibility of claims and trouble that may come about because of
- priests - prophecy kjv@Micah:5:2 (likely knew Herod's intent)
- Herod - already one king him and three sons to follow, call is Rome's
Notes:
Matthew is building a legal case of commonly known evidences by the people of that time in Jerusalem. If any one or group could deny these evidential facts the gospel would have been disproved and instantly become toothless. Instead the gospel explodes like wild fire in part due to the public's familiarity with these occurrences. Most dissent centers on theological matters such as incarnations and virgin births not to literal matters such as how people there at the time were responding and conspiring.
Key Messages:
What does this say about our present condition?
- things are much easier to believe if put ahead into the future, when they come presently it means too many different things and places immediate impositions and requirements. As much as we like to complain about the way things are, imagine the way things would have to change personally if this is the Christ and how the powers that be might react.
- the common people, though many devout, leave weightier matters of scripture and prophecy to leaders. The leaders are held in a curious light, known for their hypocrisy and social cast yet left unchallenged as to their knowledge and public intent. These particular leaders, especially the priests are seen as intermediaries/intercessors between man and God, there is no connection to God without them.
- everyone has their own expectations as to how something like this would play out, rarely are any such based in reality, resemblance to expectation is typically the bases for belief.
Further Resources:
Comment Board:Matthew:2:1-12
index:FAITHOFJESUSDEVOTION - Devotional Index
strkjv@Matthew:2:1-12 rwp@Matthew:2:1-12 mhcc@Matthew:2:1-12
FaithOfJesus2 - Devotion Index
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