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).

Labels:

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. ...
Read more

A Joshua-Veneered Judges

Without challenge there will be no growth. Without expectation there will be no challenge. Why is it that we think if we expect "too much" out of people they will turn away? Didn't Jesus issue commands and ultimatums? Why should His Church not remind His people of these things? I was challenged by a statement from someone in Sunday School that people "like" the way things are going. This "liking-ness" caused me to ponder the "state of the union" and internalize a "declaration of dependence" for the name of Christ. I repeat, Without challenge there will be no growth. Without expectation there will be no challenge. I do not want to bow down to "likingness" as the test for spiritual growth. What I see in fruitfulness is sporadic unquestionable commitment .An abandonment to the statements of Christ across the board. This is reflected in the hard work of hospitality we lack in our home-model of being the body of Christ. W...
Read more

Start With The Second Coming In Mind

If you could only answer questions, “Yes,” or “No,” and couldn’t ever use the word “maybe” again, would it make that much of a difference to your life? Take a moment and read James 5:1-12--it is especially very interesting to read in The Message translation. So often we are told to begin with the END in mind. The END is whatever or where ever the certain project we are working on is heading until we say it is DONE. We do need to begin with the END in mind, but James has a different END in mind. There are several things the people have done wrong in James’ mind: laid up treasures in the last days,  kept back wages by fraud,  lived in luxury and self-indulgence,  fattened their hearts,  condemned and murdered people. When James tells the rich to “weep and howl” what is he getting at? What good does it do? What does “the cry of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord of the Hosts” mean? What does it mean for "the wages of those abused by fraud...
Read more

Family Time Videos