SATURDAY, MAY 14
READ MATTHEW 2:1-12
MATTHEW 2:1 After Yeshua was born in Beit-Lechem in the land of Y’hudah during the time when Herod was king, Magi from the east came to Yerushalayim 2 and asked, “Where is the newborn King of the Jews? For we saw his star in the east and have come to worship him.”
3 When King Herod heard of this he became very agitated, and so did everyone else in Yerushalayim. 4 He called together all the head cohanim and Torah-teachers of the people and asked them, “Where will the Messiah be born?” 5 “In Beit-Lechem of Y’hudah,” they replied, “because the prophet wrote,
6 ‘And you, Beit-Lechem in the land of Y’hudah,
are by no means the least among the rulers of Y’hudah;
for from you will come a Ruler
who will shepherd my people Isra’el.’”[Matthew 2:6 Micah 5:1(2)]
7 Herod summoned the Magi to meet with him privately and asked them exactly when the star had appeared. 8 Then he sent them to Beit-Lechem with these instructions: “Search carefully for the child; and when you find him, let me know, so that I too may go and worship him.”
9 After they had listened to the king, they went away; and the star which they had seen in the east went in front of them until it came and stopped over the place where the child was. 10 When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. 11 Upon entering the house, they saw the child with his mother Miryam; and they prostrated themselves and worshipped him. Then they opened their bags and presented him gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. 12 But they had been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, so they took another route back to their own country.
Faithful to their profession, the magi willingly move out of their comfort zone and, intrigued by the bright new star they observe, set out on a journey. They take with them the best gifts of their culture: gold, myrrh, and frankincense. The magi’s inquiry forces Herod and his religious advisers to search their own scriptures.
The magi continue on their quest. Although the star leads to a stable, they experience no disappointment, for the child is more important than the location. They bow in worship and adoration and then, obeying God’s direction, return home via a new route. The magi’s journey challenges us to ask many questions as we make decisions that will impact our church in this next quadrennium:As delegates entrusted with this holy work, are we, like the magi, fully prepared for the twists and turns our journey may take on the road ahead?
Are we listening respectfully to the full range of voices and positions before making decisions?
Are we bringing our best as worthy and faithful disciples of Jesus Christ to glorify our Creator God?
Do we attempt to find God and experience the love of Christ even when discussions take us to the stable? How open are we to acknowledging God’s presence in our deliberations and to learning from God?
When the Holy Spirit nudges us to a completely fresh and new direction in our deliberations, do we have courage enough to give up our agendas and follow God’s calling?
O God, may we be open to the promptings of your voice in and through our search for your guidance. Amen.[Suda Devadhar]
Bishop Sudarshan Devadhar is assigned to the New England Conference, which includes more than 600 congregations in six states, committed to a vision of being “Transformed by the Holy Spirit … as we boldly proclaim Christ to the world.” Suda, as he is called, began his pastorate as a deacon at the Church of South India, Mercara Coorg, India. He was elected to the episcopacy at the Northeastern Jurisdictional Conference in July 2004, and served the New Jersey Episcopal Area for eight years prior to serving New England.
Special Note: The image with the meditation was designed by Rev. Todd Pick and will be used in today’s worship service at General Conference.
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PO Box 340007
Nashville, Tennessee 37203, United States
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