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).
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).