Good Thursday morning to you my ‘Walking with Jesus’ friends,
With only a few days remaining in 2022 I wonder what your priorities are today as you prepare to close the books on this tumultuous year. Think back for a moment. One year ago, the people of Ukraine were living peacefully, even though Russia was amassing a huge army on their border. Oh my, how this year has brought so much change for the people of that one, small, but significant country! What about where you live? What have been the big changes in your world this year?
I left you yesterday standing in the great Temple in Jerusalem with Joseph and Mary. Standing in front of them was old Simeon with tears running down his face, as he holds baby Jesus in his arms. Luke 2: Simeon had just finished praying a remarkable prayer over baby Jesus, Joseph and Mary, and Simeon had warned Mary of very difficult times ahead for her. Suddenly Anna, a remarkable old widow who had spent much of her life there at the Temple, came and proclaimed amazing words over Joseph, Mary and the baby.
We don’t know how long they remained there in the great Temple courts that day with perhaps hundreds of people all around them busy with the various aspects of daily life at the Temple. But, finally, perhaps late in that day, Mary may have said to Joseph something like “I think we should go. It’s a long walk back to Bethlehem, I need some nourishment and this sweet Baby needs rest.” As they headed out of the great Temple that day, their hearts were full of gratitude to God and amazement at what they had experienced.
The road south to Bethlehem was likely crowded with many people, carts and animals going both directions. The census was still in full swing, and people continued to arrive and leave Bethlehem each day. Perhaps they stood at the side of the road for a few minutes thinking about the dramatic contrast in what their experience would be if they went north, back home to Nazareth or south, back to Bethlehem.
Luke’s account of the life of Jesus says: “When Joseph and Mary had done everything required by the Law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. And the child grew and became strong; He was filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was upon Him.” (Luke 2:39,40) But Matthew, in his account of the life of Jesus, tells us Joseph and Mary did not go immediately back to Nazareth, but rather they went south to Bethlehem before eventually returning to Nazareth.
As they stood alongside the road contemplating their choices, I imagine as they faced north, their faces became drawn in painful anticipation of what it would be like, going back to Nazareth with infant Jesus. There had not been a large wedding ceremony for Mary and Joseph. They had not received the blessing of their parents or the Rabbi in the Synagogue in Nazareth. Everyone believed they had broken their covenant to each other and to God by becoming pregnant during their engagement. While Joseph had done a heroic thing to take his fiancé, pregnant Mary, to be his wife, still as a little family they would live shrouded in shame in Nazareth. No one would believe the preposterous story Mary and Joseph had told of God’s involvement in this pregnancy. They would be shunned. Life would be difficult for them and for infant Jesus in Nazareth.
But south, in Bethlehem, they were essentially unknown. Carpenters always had plenty of work, as everyone needed tables and chairs, doors and windows, carts and crates. Joseph might be able to start his own little business, maybe find an apprentice who wanted to learn his trade. Mary could care for her son and little Jesus perhaps could grow up in Bethlehem as any other little boy, without the scowls and pointing fingers of accusation. And oh my, the history of Bethlehem it was so special… hometown of Naomi and Ruth and Boaz, father to Jesse and all his boys, including David! And how nice it would be to live so close to Jerusalem. So, Joseph and Mary turned south, heading to Bethlehem as their new home.
Weeks passed, and evidently Joseph found a little house for his little family and was blessed with sufficient work to care for his family. Little Jesus began to grow as all little boys do, surpassing their first birthday, learning to walk and speak a few words under Mary’s watchful care. Suddenly one day a commotion as a small caravan of foreigners arrived in their part of Bethlehem and came knocking on the door of their little house. As Mary opened the door, she was stunned by what she saw. Camels, well dressed men and their servants carrying gifts! What could it mean? Who were they? Who were they looking for? Little Jesus crawled up to Mary and she lifted Him up in her arms. The eyes of these men grew wide, and they bowed their heads in the ancient east poster of greeting someone of royalty. Mary was shocked. What did these men know about her baby? Matthew calls these men “Magi” and tells us they came from a country to the east of Israel. Bible scholars believe these men were scholars who studied ancient writings from many nations of the Asian region. They were astronomers, men who studied the stars and movement of the planets, and they were evidently deeply spiritual men. Matthew tells us they were so amazed by what they saw in the sky, they simply could not remain in their country gazing into the sky, they had to travel, following the stars, in search, they believed, of a newborn king.
Their travels led them to Jerusalem, for they believed a “King of the Jews” had been born there and so significant was this birth, they were compelled to come and pay Him homage and bring Him gifts. But as they arrived in Jerusalem, they found no evidence of celebration of a royal birth. When they came to the palace of King Herod, who was the Caesar approved ‘king over the Jews’ in Palestine at that time, the question of the Magi was deeply troubling to those who heard it! “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star and have come to worship Him.” (Matt. 2:2)
Have you ever seen a situation where a leader feels threatened by someone whom they believe is scheming to replace them? Herod was a paranoid leader, always fearing someone or some group was planning his demise or even his death. King Herod had demanded the death of many whom he suspected viewed his throne with jealousy. King Herod had even ordered the death of some of his own family believing they might be plotting against him. This unexpected visit of these Magi and their unwelcome question threw Herod into turmoil. He called immediately for his advisors. What do the ancient Hebrew writings have to say about the long-awaited birth of the Messiah, the God sent King of the Jews? (Matt. 2:3-6) They conferred together; they knew the answer but feared Herod. They carefully pointed Herod to the old scroll of the prophet Micah: “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.” (Micah 5:2)
King Herod was both paranoid and a manipulative mastermind. He pretended to be excited about this news the Magi had brought and urged them to search diligently for the newborn king. He requested them to send word quickly back to Herod’s palace when they found this king, so Herod could come and appropriately join in the celebration and honor the newborn King. (Matt. 2:7,8) Amazingly Herod’s voice was kind, the smile on his face convincing, but deep in his heart rage was boiling and a horrific plan was already developing.
The Magi bowed low before the King thanking him for the refreshments he had undoubtedly placed before these weary travelers, and the respect he had paid these scholars from a distant land. Bethlehem was only a few miles south and there was only one main road, so the Magi need not wait till nightfall to resume their travels.
Let’s pause here as they carefully leave the presence of King Herod and repack their camels ready to remount and resume their trip. May I ask an important question as this year soon draws to a close? How many times have you been deceived this year, duped into believing someone was genuine and truthful with you when in fact they were lying? Have you been caught in a scam this year? As we close 2022 is your heart at peace that your relationships are honorable and truthful? Can you trust everyone with whom you have a significant relationship? Is the Holy Spirit guiding you to make wise and right decisions? Let’s thank God for this part of the Christmas story which cautions us, and a new song I’ve given you once before. Children sing it. Is it your heart today?
Today’s Scripture is Matthew 2:1-8.
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Bible images provided with attribution to www.LumoProject.com.
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Pastor Doug Anderson 262.441.8785
“Let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, with our eyes fixed on Jesus…” (Heb. 12:1,2)
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