Tuesday - Study It - The Night That Changed the Wise
Here’s the story of the Magi or wise men visiting Jesus:
Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem, saying, “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.” When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him; and assembling all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. They told him, “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.’”
Then Herod summoned the wise men secretly and ascertained from them what time the star had appeared. And he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, “Go and search diligently for the child, and when you have found him, bring me word, that I too may come and worship him.” After listening to the king, they went on their way. And behold, the star that they had seen when it rose went before them until it came to rest over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. And going into the house they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh. And being warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed to their own country by another way.
(Matthew 2:1-12 ESV)
Here we have men of reason and knowledge visiting Jesus. They were astronomers or astrologers, the difference was less clear in Jesus’ day. Suffice it to say, they would have believed events in heavens connected with events on earth, and something told them that a King of the Jews was being born.
They used their considerable resources, money, time to travel to Israel. They risk robbery on the road, or disappointment when they arrive. Once there, they gave their treasured gifts, and their worship. They gave their hearts, to a baby or child (this may have happened up to two years after Jesus’ birth).
This was not a small thing, worshipping a baby. If they are wrong, and this isn’t God himself, they could be accused of idolatry, worshipping something on earth rather than God in heaven. They also risk embarrassment, intellectual ridicule, etc.
Question: What practical risks are involved in following Jesus today? How do you calculate what risks are worthwhile?
Reminder: We are reading the Bible in sync as one community – so check out today’s reading here.
Reminder: The best way to grow spiritually this year is to join our Christianity 101 in the Cafe Course in Pickering starting January 22nd. Register for you and a friend today!
Read the Bible in Sync Today
Loading Content...
Share a Link to this Message
The link has been copied to your clipboard; paste it anywhere you would like to share it.
Matthew 6:1 says “Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven.
Jesus began with a general principle: Beware of practising your righteousness before others in order to be seen by them.
This is one of three examples Jesus uses to illustrate. Look at two others in the next two weeks involving prayer and self-denial.
First example, however, is giving: 2 “Thus, when you give to the needy, sound no trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may be praised by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. 3 But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, 4 so that your giving may be in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.
Jesus acknowledges that his followers are not the only nice, generous people out there, giving is not an exclusively Christian activity.
Says to his followers in v. 2 & 3 "when" you give to the needy – simply assumes you will give to help others.
This would be a big part of Jewish society...a box at every synagogue where money for the poor could be placed.
Another clue: do not sound a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do. Even the hypocrites...whose habit of acting religious Jesus is about to attack quite vigorously...are known to give to the poor.
Clearly Jesus doesn’t have to bother commending giving itself, it’s fairly universal.
Same today. Jesus’ followers don’t have a monopoly of giving, or niceness.
Charitable giving by Canadians was $10.6B in 2010
Some Christian, some not. Giving is widespread.
When Jesus talks about giving to the poor, then and today, he’s not claiming that Christians are the only givers, only kind people.
What he does want, however, is for his followers to give for particular reasons. More concerned about motivations than money.
Wants them to hide their giving from others, hide from self, show to God.
Today, we look at hiding it from others
He wants his followers to hide their giving from others. Drive a Prius because it’s eco friendly, not for looks.
Wants his followers to give generously to others whether the collection is in a basket or a bag, whether by pre-authorized giving or in cash, whether recognized by the charity or not.
Wants their motivation to be something other than being noticed by others.
Question: How does Jesus expect his followers to give like others, and how does he expect their giving to be different?
