Hope in a Small Town

12/9- Hope in a Small Town- “But you Bethlehem…out of you will come the Messiah” Micah 5:2
"But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times." 1After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi ^a from the east came to Jerusalem 2and 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.”
   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.’ ^b ” 7Then Herod called the Magi secretly and found out from them the exact time the star had appeared. 8He sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search carefully for the child. As soon as you find him, report to me, so that I too may go and worship him.” (Matthew 2)

Thoughts: Sometimes, because things happen in the past, we assume they have added layer on layer of mystique.  However, the New Testament was written down within the lifetime of the eyewitnesses who could corroborate or deny the events.  While over the years layer of tradition is laid on top of the story (for example there were three wise men because there were three gifts; and the names of the wise men), the truth behind the legends is not suspect.  We know, for example, from outside sources that King Herod was a real king.  We know, in accordance to this passage that he was an extremely jealous king (even killing his own family members- wife and sons in suspicion of undermining his throne).  There are also many theories about the star that make that a possibility- the alignment of planets for example about 4 BC. 
      But we can miss the meat of the story by trying to defend the veracity of it.  The meat of the story is that a small, forgotten, sheep herding town became famous once again.  This time, not just nationally famous (birthplace of king David), but globally famous (birthplace of the Savior of the world).  It is the classic story of God lifting up the humble. 
   This humility is pointed out- But you Bethlehem, though you are least among the towns of Judah… People value worth in terms of popularity, and how well known some place or person is.  But God sees the small, the neglected, those that are otherwise in darkness.  This is the good news.  A carpenter’s son became King of kings.  He was not born in the throne room or palace.  He was not born in the capital with tabloids and social media blasting out every detail (think Prince George).  He was born in the smallest darkest, most hopeless place.  Then he was born in a barn, with a feeding trough for his bed.  All this points to God’s lifting up the humble and remembering those the world forgets.  Let us be faithful where we are.  God does not forget you, but is watching you.  Your faithful acts and work for Him will be rewarded. 

Prayer: Lord, let me not give up hope in the midst of humility.  Instead let me see that you are the lifter of my head. 

Song: “1. O sing a song of Bethlehem,Of shepherds watching there, And of the news that came to them
From angels in the air: The light that shone on Bethlehem Fills all the world to-day; Of Jesus' birth and peace on earth The angels sing alway.

12/22/15- Wise Men Come

12/22- Matthew 2:1,2, 9-12 Wise Men
1After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi^a from the east came to Jerusalem 2and 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.”… 9After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen when it rose went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. 10When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. 11On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. 12And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route.

Thoughts: It is amazing that these “wise men” believed so much in their work that they were willing to travel hundreds of miles on foot, camel, and horse in order to visit the king of another country.  They did not believe this was an ordinary king. 
      There were several prophecies in the Old Testament involving this incident.  From Numbers 24:17- “I see him, but not now;  I behold him, but not near; A Star shall come out of Jacob; A Scepter shall rise out of Israel…” Isaiah 60:6 speaks of rulers from the east bringing gifts to the king of Judah- gifts of gold and frankincense.  Isaiah 60:3 speaks of rulers “coming to the brightness of your light.”  In Daniel, Nebuchadnezzar called these astrologers/astronomers “wise men.”  Psalm 72:10-15 and Isaiah 60:5 speak of Gentile or eastern rulers bringing gold to the king of the Jews.  It is not beyond the realm of possibility that these “wise men” studied the books of the Jews brought to Babylon/Persia in the exile and made popular by government authorities like Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach, Abednego, Queen Esther and Mordecai.   
     Jesus is called “The bright and morning star” (Rev. 22:16).  In astronomy the morning star is Venus.  There were seven planetary conjunctions between 3-2 B.C.  The brightest would have been the conjunction of Jupiter and Venus in August 3 B.C. In the morning, Venus always appears in the east. Orthodox Christians think this was a supernatural event and do not worry about the astronomy.
     Regardless, the wise men were convinced that they had seen a sign that a prince of Judah had been born and had come to pay him honor.  This was an act of faith that amazed and disturbed Herod and all Jerusalem with him.  When we act on our faith- really act on it- and do not simply walk by sight (having to figure everything out ahead of time), then it makes a huge difference in the world.   Faith is a confidence that inspires action.  When our actions are inspired by our faith it can be a very beautiful, encouraging, inspiring thing- that shocks the world.  Come seek and worship the One who is born.

 

Prayer: Lord, help me to walk by faith, live by faith, be inspired by faith in you.  May my actions match the faith I know I should have. 

Activity: Make sure you take time to worship Jesus as a priority. 

Song: We Three Kings of Orient are- Bearing Gifts we traverse afar.  Field and fountain, moor and mountain, following yonder star.  O star of wonder, star of light; star with royal beauty bright.  Westward leading, still proceeding, guide us to thy perfect light!

12/13-A Weeping Spirit

12/13 Scripture - When Herod realized that he had been outwitted by the Magi, he was furious, and he gave orders to kill all the boys in Bethlehem and its vicinity who were two years old and under, in accordance with the time he had learned from the Magi. 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.” After Herod died, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt and said, “Get up, take the child and his mother and go to the land of Israel, for those who were trying to take the child’s life are dead.” (Matthew 2:16-20)

I confess I find these words some of the most disturbing in Scripture. What a horrific scene that breaks my heart.  Why in the midst of the beauty of the Word being made flesh are we told about humanity’s immense capacity for evil? But that is why the baby Jesus was born in the first place. He came to redeem, transform, and restore us. And as Herod shows we desperately need redemption from the evil in our hearts.

Christmas is a beautiful wonderful time. But it has a spirit of darkness. For many Christmas is a lonely, depressing, desperate time.  It is a time when one is “supposed” to be happy, but in truth depression and suicide rates rise each December.  Christmas is a time when too many people feel broken. Many are hurting and grieving. Others are ill or facing challenges in their families. And all these problems seem bigger when cast in the light of “Happy Holidays.”

As the church of Jesus Christ and as His brothers and sisters we are to cast out this spirit of darkness and fill it with light and love. Jesus came to give us eternal and abundant life. He sent His Holy Spirit to be our Comforter. The Spirit is the Lord and Giver of Life and through the Spirit Jesus keeps His promise that he will never leave us.  In truth we are never alone for God is with us. But as Christians we are to look for those that the world has hurt and welcome them especially this time of year. We are to offer everyone the certain hope that is found in knowing Jesus Christ and the peace and joy He freely gives to His disciples. And as each person finds hope and healing, our joy increases and so does the Lord’s!

Prayer: Lord use me to cast out darkness. Heal those who are broken and hurting. Make me an instrument of your peace this Christmas and always.

Application: Invite someone to worship or another activity at LMPC. Help them connect with others here.

Today is 12-13-14 getting ready for 15!
The devotion today is written by Rev. Tracie Stewart, Associate for Pastoral Care and Education

12/10- Submitting Our Spirit to His

12/10   Scripture  - “When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him. When 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.  ‘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.’  Then Herod called the Magi secretly and found out from them the exact time the star had appeared. He sent them to Bethlehem and said, ‘Go and search carefully for the child. As soon as you find him, report to me, so that I too may go and worship him.’” (Matthew 2:3-8)

Ancient Byzantine drawing of Magi

This is a very ironic scene. The magi have traveled a great distance to worship the new-born king. Naturally they go to where they expect the king to be – in the palace. Not only is there no king, but these devout men actually put Jesus in danger. They alert Herod to his birth and then they tell him all they know about this king and his natal star. Herod represents all that is evil, all that is the “spirit of the flesh.” He seeks power and wealth and will destroy anything and anyone that gets in his way. He is a liar and cheat and above all a coward who fears infants. Being in tune with the spirit of the flesh can only bring misery.

In contrast the Holy Spirit bears good and lasting fruit – peace, joy, patience, love, kindness, gentleness, generosity, and self-control. To submit our will to that of the spirit seems very difficult – especially at first. Our sinful nature cries for what we want. But over time we learn that God’s ways are full of wisdom. His plans are better than we could ever imagine. He is faithful and true and as we reap these fruits of the spirit we desire to grow ever-stronger in our discipleship. To submit our will to Christ is one way to worship and adore him.

Prayer: Dear Jesus, Take my life as an offering to you. Use me for your glory.

Application: Give Jesus a Christmas present.  Either give up something that displeases Him or take up an additional thing that pleases Him (participate in a ministry, read your Bible or pray more).

[Written by Rev. Tracie Stewart]

12/9- Matthew 2- Spirit of Commercialism

12/9 Scripture – “After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi 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.’” (Matthew 2:1-2)

Another spirit of this world that can make our Christmases difficult is the spirit of commercialism. Charlie Brown even counters this. He sees Snoopy’s First Place doghouse decorations and cries in frustration, “Even my dog has gone commercial!”  Throughout December and even earlier we are bombarded with things that we can buy that will guarantee our happiness this Christmas season. One of the most moving was the old Coca-Cola commercial that showed the world putting aside all differences over a Christmas soft drink!

But this can create incredible stress as we buy things we don’t need, stress over the right gifts, and try and purchase joy even at enormous cost to ourselves.  Debts can pile up and stresses and tensions mount. And yet the best Christmas moments are not bought in a store. The moment a loved one comes home. A precious memory that warms our hearts. The mystical moment every Christmas Eve when Silent Night is sung by candlelight.

The Holy Spirit creates true unity, joy, and peace. Some of my favorite Christmas traditions are the simplest.  I love to string cranberries and popcorn into garlands, to make “gifts” for the birds with pinecones, to just sit by a fire. But like those wise men long ago the most meaningful times are when we lose ourselves in worship. My husband’s mother started a tradition when the boys were young. Each Christmas Eve we would go out to the barn singing carols. Grace had placed Mary, Joseph and Baby Jesus in one of the stalls. It was cold and musty and dusty and so peaceful as we shared the Christmas story in a barn. No amount of money could by the feeling on that sacred night in a Spirit-filled barn in the Carolinas. Let us be still and know God this Christmas.

Prayer: Father, make me still so that I may feel your presence and be filled with your peace. Draw me ever-nearer to You and Your Son, and Your Spirit.

Activity: Plan a special time of worship just for you or for you and someone special in your life.

By Rev, Tracie Stewart

12/14/13- The Scribes

3 When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. 4 And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born.

5 So they said to him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for thus it is written by the prophet: 6 ‘But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, Are not the least among the rulers of Judah; For out of you shall come a Ruler Who will shepherd My people Israel.’”  (Matthew 2:3-6)

13 “But woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you shut up the kingdom of heaven against men; for you neither go in yourselves, nor do you allow those who are entering to go in.14 Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you devour widows’ houses, and for a pretense make long prayers. Therefore you will receive greater condemnation.

15 “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you travel land and sea to win one proselyte, and when he is won, you make him twice as much a son of hell as yourselves. (Matthew 23:13-15)

Thoughts: The scribes were called in by Herod to find out where the king was to be born.  The scribes knew the Law.  But just as the priests found out where the Messiah was to be born but did not respond, the scribes did the research but did not let their knowledge move their feet.
    The scribes were later reprimanded by Jesus for making rules but not listening to them.  They were condemned for praying on the poor and praying for show.  They were condemned for sucking people into their sin.
    it is one thing to know the scriptures, but it is another to obey them.  There are people today who honestly say, "we take the scriptures seriously but not literally."  But like the scribes they are using such rhetoric to excuse themselves from obeying scripture when they disagree with it.  If we only take scripture seriously until we disagree with it or when we don't want to believe something- then we are saying our own authority is more important than the authority of God found in scripture and in Christ.  

Prayer:Lord, give me grace to not just hear you, but to listen to you. 

12-10-13 Herod the First Grinch who Would have Stopped Christmas

16 When Herod realized that he had been outwitted by the Magi, he was furious, and he gave orders to kill all the boys in Bethlehem and its vicinity who were two years old and under, in accordance with the time he had learned from the Magi. 17 Then what was said through the prophet Jeremiah was fulfilled: 18 “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.” (Matthew 2:16-18)

Thoughts: Herod was the first Grinch who wanted to stop or steal Christmas.  He wanted to kill any challenger to his temporary throne.  Jesus, however, was not out for Herod's temporary throne.  He bypassed that entirely to claim a bigger prize- the Prince of Peace.
     Herod killed his own son and wife because they threatened him.  So he tried to kill Jesus.  Many scholars think the reference to the dragon trying to eat the woman and her son in Revelation (12:1-6) is a reference to Herod's trying to kill Jesus when he was a baby.
      There are always people who want to silence the message of hope, the person of Christ coming to earth.  A few weeks ago The American Humanist Society threatened a lawsuit against a school in South Carolina and a school in Colorado who were going to provide Operation Christmas Child boxes for needy children in another land- who would normally get nothing for Christmas. These boxes contain health items like soap, toothpaste and tooth brushes, as well as toys and drawing material.  The threat of the lawsuit stopped the children from sending Christmas boxes.  But when the Humanists were asked what they personally were doing to replace the boxes for needy kids they were unable to give an answer (See interview transcript here).  It is one thing to criticize or destroy the Christian message- but the better question is what do you replace that message with?  The message of no hope, no joy, no one to call on for help, no reason to be good is a message of death and meaninglessness.  That kind of thought is akin to Herod's kingship- all about this world's power and glory.  Jesus comes as a helpless baby- who just by his existence gives hope and peace.  

Prayer: Help me not to be a person of destruction and criticism, but a person who builds others up, Lord.