Expect God’s Goodness This Christmas

Scripture Reading

Matthew 2:1-12 (CEV)

When Jesus was born in the village of Bethlehem in Judea, Herod was king. During this time some wise men from the east came to Jerusalem and said, “Where is the child born to be king of the Jews? We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him.” When King Herod heard about this, he was worried, and so was everyone else in Jerusalem. Herod brought together the chief priests and the teachers of the Law of Moses and asked them, “Where will the Messiah be born?” They told him, “He will be born in Bethlehem, just as the prophet wrote, ‘Bethlehem in the land of Judea, you are very important among the towns of Judea. From your town will come a leader, who will be like a shepherd for my people Israel.’ ”Herod secretly called in the wise men and asked them when they had first seen the star. He told them, “Go to Bethlehem and search carefully for the child. As soon as you find him, let me know. I also want to go and worship him.” The wise men listened to what the king said and then left. And the star they had seen in the east went on ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. They were thrilled and excited to see the star. When the men went into the house and saw the child with Mary, his mother, they knelt down and worshiped him. They took out their gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh and gave them to him. Later they were warned in a dream not to return to Herod, and they went back home by another road.

Introductory Remarks:

Like Mary, the Mother of Jesus, Joseph, the Wisemen, and the Shepherds who watched their flock by night, you can respond affirmatively to God’s Divine Message to you. How you respond or your failure to respond is a key predictor of your life outcome(s).

Major Points of the Lesson:

1. Although King Herod and the Wise Men received the same message that foretold the child’s birth, they differed in their responses to the message:
   1. The Wise Men exhibited willingness toward God when they sought to find the baby and worship him.
   2. King Herod exhibited willfulness when he waited to hear of the baby Jesus’ location so he could destroy or harm him.
2. When we willingly and quickly obey the Divine Message, there is a blessing for us and for others. However, when we deny, defy or ignore the Divine Message, our own unwillingness denies us the blessing that the message offers. The harm and destruction that results from our willful disobedience is of our own making, not God’s. 

Quote:

“Your Divine Message will always demand something of you. Your response to that demand is a key predictor of whether you will experience favorable or unfavorable outcomes.”

Sheila R. McKeithen

ASSIGNMENT:

Continue with last week’s assignment. Once you are clear on God’s message to you, respond lovingly and quickly, expecting  favorable outcomes for all concerned.