Matthew 2:1-2 After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi a from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.”
I am much more familiar with the New Testament than the Old, so familiar that it is easy to gloss over words I’ve read so many times. As I read Matthew 2 this morning, I consciously had to keep slowing myself down, concentrating, refocusing on the words on the page instead of the familiar story in my mind.
Matthew 2:5-6 “In Bethlehem in Judea,” they replied, “for this is what the prophet has written: “‘But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for out of you will come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel.’”
And honestly, isn’t that concept–of slowing down, looking more deeply, not simply resting on surface impressions–exactly what Jesus was about? The rulers and the religious were so entrenched in “the way things are” that they lost sight of the way things could be, should be. They were so busy maintaining status quo that they lost sight of what was right in front of them.
Matthew 2:17-18 Then what was said through the prophet Jeremiah was fulfilled: “A voice is heard in Ramah, weeping and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children and refusing to be comforted, because they are no more.”
Lord, Thank You for this desire to read through Your word, looking closely. As I continue through these familiar passages, help me to remember to keep asking, keep seeking, keep knocking (Matt 7:7). Help me to move past the familiar and to know You more. Amen.
Matthew 2:22-23 But when he heard that Archelaus was reigning in Judea in place of his father Herod, he was afraid to go there. Having been warned in a dream, he withdrew to the district of Galilee, and he went and lived in a town called Nazareth. So was fulfilled what was said through the prophets, that he would be called a Nazarene.
Have a blessed day.