2013 Advent Devotions from the Lutheran Hour Ministries – "We
Have Come To Worship Him" Sunday, 5 January 2014
Advent cover 2013 Read Matthew The Visit of the
Wise Men
2: In the time of
King Herod, after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, wise men[a] from the East came to
Jerusalem, 2 asking,
“Where is the child who has been born king of the Jews? For we observed his
star at its rising,[b] and have come to pay him
homage.” 3 When
King Herod heard this, he was frightened, and all Jerusalem with him; 4 and calling
together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them
where the Messiah[c] was to be born. 5 They told him,
“In Bethlehem of Judea; for so it has been written by the prophet:
6 ‘And
you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,
are by no means least among the rulers of Judah;
for from you shall come a ruler
who is to shepherd[d] my people Israel.’”
are by no means least among the rulers of Judah;
for from you shall come a ruler
who is to shepherd[d] my people Israel.’”
7 Then Herod
secretly called for the wise men[e] and learned from them the exact
time when the star had appeared. 8 Then he sent
them to Bethlehem, saying, “Go and search diligently for the child; and when
you have found him, bring me word so that I may also go and pay him homage.”
Footnotes:
a. Matthew 2:1 Or astrologers;
Gk magi
b. Matthew 2:2 Or in
the East
c. Matthew 2:4 Or the
Christ
d. Matthew 2:6 Or rule
e. Matthew 2:7 Or astrologers;
Gk magi. TEXT: Where is He
who has been born King of the Jews? For we saw His star when it rose and have
come to worship Him (Matthew 2:2).
We end this Christmas season with two final devotions that once
again stress Jesus' Kingship. When He was born God set a special star in the
heavens to signal His birth to the wise men. These counselors, astrologers and
scholars prepared gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh, and set off for the
land of Israel.
After journeying many months they entered the capitol Jerusalem
and came to the palace of King Herod. There they inquired where they might find
the One "who has been born King of the Jews." Herod consulted the
chief priests and scribes who pointed to the prophecy of Micah we studied
yesterday. "In Bethlehem of Judea, for so it is written by the prophet:
'And you, O Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the
rulers of Judah; for from you shall come a Ruler who will shepherd My people
Israel'" (Matthew 2:5-6).
Informed by the Word of God, the wise men hurried from Herod's
palace to make their way to Bethlehem and the completion of their journey. On
this 12th day of Christmas we too are reaching the completion of our Christmas
journey. But a new journey is just around the corner. In a few short months we
will follow our King Jesus as He goes to battle to save us from our enemies.
THE PRAYER: Heavenly
Father, You set the Christmas star in the heavens to guide the wise men to Your
only Son. Guide us by the light of Your Word to our glorious Ruler and King,
Jesus Christ. Amen.
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Mail:
Lutheran Hour Ministries
660 Mason Ridge Center Drive
St. Louis, MO 63141 United States
Telephone: (800)876-9880
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