Originally posted 01/01/2011
We are here at the New Year of 2011, just fresh out of the Christmas Season for 2010. So many thoughts whirl in my mind, with a fresh anticipation of the New Year. I was reading in Matthew chapter 2 the old familar story of the birth of our Savior Jesus Christ and how the Wise Men were searching for Him. I was struck by something interesting.
Let us read Matthew 2:1-5 together “Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him. And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he demaded of them where Christ should be born. And they said unto him, In Bethlehem of Judaea: for thus it is written by the prophet.”
When the wise men come to you this year will you be like Herod the King who did not know how to show them to the Christ or will you be like the priests and scribes that could give the answer? Either way you are in good company…if you are like Herod go talk to a Pastor or Christian friend who can give you the answer that you might share it with another. If you identify with the priests and scribes then stand up and show the way when asked. This year there will be wise men and people of influence (like the King in this account) who will ask you about the Christ. Are you ready to give the account that they might know as well?
For those of you who are hearing the story of the Christ you also have some with whom to identify. Like the wise men and you can use the information to find the Christ or you can be like Herod who decided to use the information to reject the Christ (and also tried to kill Him Matthew 2:13).
What will be your identity for the New Year?
