Skip to main content

Magi or Religious Lawyer?

As I was reading the beginning of Matthew again I was struck by the contrast between the magi and the "people's chief priests and teachers of the law" (religious lawyers). Here are a couple of differences:
1. The Magi knew prophecy and followed the prophetic "star" of "the King of the Jews"
2. The Magi came from the East = far away to worship
3. The Magi to worship the King in Jerusalem or at least ask the leaders there where he was
4. The Magi went on to Bethlehem and completed their mission

1. The religious lawyers knew what was written in the prophets
2. The religious lawyers remained there in Jerusalem and did not go to Bethlehem
3. The religious lawyers must have seen the star but did not translate current events spiritually/prophetically
4. The religious lawyers stayed in Jerusalem and completed their mission

What would have happened if:
1. The religious lawyers did more than just read the Scriptures to know it but to follow it?
2. The religious lawyers interpreted the signs of the times and current events?
3. The religious lawyers got excited about the Magi's visit, interpretation, and wisdom enough to follow them to Bethlehem?
4. The religious leaders influenced King Herod more than he influenced them?

The Magi followed the Scriptural Star in faith and they got there--to where the star was leading--to Jesus.
The religious lawyers followed nothing. They knew Scripture but somehow that was enough for them. And they got nowhere.

Perhaps this is what Jesus was referring to when he made the statement, "You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that bear witness about me, yet you refuse to come to me that you may have life." (John 5:39-40).

Popular posts from this blog

I Wish We'd All Been ... Left Behind

  Perhaps you have heard the group DC Talk sing the remake of Larry Norman’s’ song, “I Wish We’d All Been Ready”? There is something tragically deceptive about the lyrics though. As we sing along, we find ourselves participating in a couple instances where we wish we had been ready to be taken instead of left behind. But that is not how Jesus tells his side of the story. The words are inspired by Matthew 24:40-41. But let’s look more closely, shall we? MATTHEW 24:37 As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. 38 For in the days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day Noah entered the ark; 39 and they knew nothing about what would happen until the flood came and took them all away . That is how it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. 40 Two men will be in the field; one will be taken and the other left. 41 Two women will be grinding with a hand mill; one will be taken and the other left. ...

Knowing as Assurance in Faith Secures Our Hearts in Christ

Romans 8:1-17 starts with the words, "there is now no condemnation." That sounds like good news. This passage tells me that it is not God's plan to condemn me. If I feel condemned, it is not because of God. Instead, God made a way for me to be out from under the law of sin and death that brings fear (of the unknown).  It is God's plan for me to know He does not condemn me, and that He has set me free from sin/death/fear/the unknown. How? He has a plan. God's plan is to help me to fulfill another law He has in mind: the law of righteousness. God will enable me (through the Spirit) to walk in this new way--a way by the Spirit--a way of life and peace, the way of righteousness. It is the only way to please Him and He actively guides me on this way to do so. God's plan is that He wants: -me to know that the Spirit of God dwells in me and I belong to Him! -to reanimate my body by the Holy Spirit to live before others to show them what living...

What's in a Seed, Part 2

In part two of this discussion of What is in a seed, I decided to research a little about the  effects of a seed's environment . Here are some things I learned. 1. When a seed grows in an alternate environment and survives, it is said it has  adapted.  How many times have you adapted? Whether we like it or not, adapting is a part of life. Our attitude about it is something we can control. 2. Some seeds planted in harsher environments, and live, can have its DNA restructured to become a hardier plant for that environment in the future. This is simply fascinating! It reminds of what James tells us in those first few verses in his opening chapter about counting it all joy because of those trials and what they produce! 3. The seed within the fruit of a plant gains information from its “mother” about what she experienced in her environment to better suit it for the next generation (this is called maternal environment effects).  Experiences modify the DNA  a...

Family Time Videos