The Daily Guide. grow. pray. study. from The United Methodist Church of the Resurrection in Leawood, Kansas, United States for Monday, 02 January 2017 - "Herod’s fearful underhandedness"Daily Scripture:
Matthew 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.”
Reflection Questions:
Jerusalem was a crossroads city, used to foreign visitors. So the magi may have had quite a large entourage with them to cause a stir in the city and attract Herod’s attention. (Notice that Matthew never said there were “three” magi. That tradition began 600 years later, based on the three gifts presented to Jesus). Herod, who had often violently defended his hold on the throne, hid his real intentions about the new king behind courteous, even religious, words.
- Herod must have fooled the magi (we’ll see tomorrowthat God had to warn them in a dream not to go back to Herod). But it’s unlikely that his show of piety fooled many people in Jerusalem who knew him. As you read his smooth lie, ask yourself: is your approach to life and relationships genuine and honest? Are there parts of your life where you think honesty is “just not realistic”?
- What might have been legitimate, worshipful reasons for asking when the star had first appeared? What was Herod’s real reason for asking? Could Herod have been deceitful even without saying “so that I too may go and honor him”? Have you ever known (or been) a person who created false impressions without ever actually uttering anything false? Do you believe that is smart, dishonest or some of both?
Lord Jesus, you came into a dark, dark world filled more with fear, hate and paranoia than with love, joy and peace. Thank you for having the courage and compassion to come that first Christmas. Amen.
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Our GPS Insights blog shares reflections each day from our pastors, staff and congregants.Read today's reflection from Donna Karlen. Donna serves in Communications at Church of the Resurrection by creating and managing social media content.
(Coming to you from snowy Wisconsin where McDonalds billboards advertise brats and cheese curds! Pastor Chris Abel shared an amazing message last weekend about “adapting” – be sure to catch it on our website starting Tuesday if you didn’t get the chance to hear it live. So apparently, the Wisconsin McDonalds franchisee felt he could adapt his menu to feature these regional food favorites. I may have to try some as I stop in for the free WiFi…)
Speaking of adapting, it’s only January 2, and already I’m having to do “adapt” on at least one of my New Year’s resolutions. I resolved to worry less about my kids – and yet yesterday morning I anxiously awaited “yes, Mom, I’m not in a ditch” texts following their New Year’s Eve festivities. But instead of just throwing my hands up in exasperation that I’ve already blown this resolution, I will try to adapt (I don’t know what that looks like, but I’m hoping to explore some ideas after our “Unafraid” sermon series begins next weekend.)
In today’s scripture, Herod sent the magi to find Jesus. We discover in this story that Herod lied to them about his intention to honor Jesus; rather he wanted to harm our Savior. And yet I know there are times when my words and actions harm Jesus instead of honoring him. Like when I passed by the JOY in Serving holiday gift bags last month without taking one (OK in my defense, the weeks before Christmas are crazy in the Communications Ministry, and I really did plan to get one when things slowed down…) I harm Jesus when I get impatient with my husband, or when I’m hard on myself, or when I forget to be grateful for what Jesus did for me on the cross.
But thanks to God being the ultimate almighty “adaptor” – after all the plan was for us to live without sin – we receive grace instead of punishment. God adapted his plan: “For God so loved the world that he gave his only son...”
DONNA KARLENDonna Karlen serves in Communications at Church of the Resurrection by creating and managing social media content.
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The United Methodist Church of the Resurrection
13720 Roe Avenue
Leawood, Kansas 66224, United States
913.897.0120
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