12/18/15 Scribes and Pharisees Missed Christmas

12/18- The Scribes and Pharisees- Mt. 2:3-6
3When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him. 4When he had called together all the people’s chief priests and teachers of the law, he asked them where the Messiah was to be born. 5“In Bethlehem in Judea,” they replied, “for this is what the prophet has written:|
6“ ‘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.’ ”

Thoughts: The criticism of the people of Jerusalem- their apathy and not seeking after the Messiah could also be used to describe the people who knew better- the chief priests and teachers of the law.  They knew how to read the prophecies- that the Messiah would be born in Bethlehem.  Maybe they were too scared of the fiercely jealous Herod to go seeking after the Messiah.  Most likely their skepticism mixed with apathy and fear- enticed them to just stay home in their warm beds.  Let us not seek our comfort and miss out on the most important and life-changing presence of God in worship.

Prayer: Lord, give me a desire to worship you that would motivate me to love you more than my comfort.

Activity: Pray for your teachers today- the people who teach you or members of your family by name. Make a short prayer list.

Song: People look east the time is near; of the crowning of the year.
Make your house fair as you are able, trim the hearth and set the table.
People look east and sing today- love the guest is on the way.