Embracing God's Inclusive Love: Lessons from the Magi
Summary
In today's reflection, we explored the profound narrative of the Magi's journey to honor the newborn King, Jesus, as recounted in Matthew's Gospel. This story is not just about the Magi's quest but also about the broader theme of God's inclusivity and the breaking down of barriers that separate people. The Magi, who were Gentiles, were chosen by God to witness and honor the birth of Jesus, highlighting that God's love and purpose extend beyond the boundaries of ethnicity and religious exclusivity. This challenges the notion of privilege and exclusivity that was prevalent among the Jews of Jesus' time, who saw themselves as God's chosen people and were often suspicious of outsiders.
The sermon also delved into the story of Jonah, a reluctant prophet sent to save the Gentile city of Nineveh. Jonah's story serves as a reminder that God's compassion and mercy are not limited to a select group but are available to all, regardless of their background. This theme is echoed in the story of the Magi, who, despite being outsiders, were guided by a divine light to the birthplace of Jesus. Their journey and the gifts they brought—gold, frankincense, and myrrh—symbolize the recognition and honor of Jesus' kingship and foreshadow the provision for his family's escape to Egypt.
The message encourages us to reflect on our own perceptions and biases, urging us to embrace a spirit of love and acceptance. It challenges us to consider what gifts we can offer to Jesus today, emphasizing that the greatest gift is to love God and our neighbors. This love transcends fear and prejudice, inviting us to live in a way that reflects the inclusive and transformative love of Christ.
Key Takeaways:
1. God's Inclusivity: The story of the Magi illustrates that God's love and purpose are not confined to a specific group. The Magi, as Gentiles, were chosen to honor Jesus, demonstrating that God's grace extends beyond ethnic and religious boundaries. This challenges us to embrace inclusivity in our own lives, recognizing that God's love is for all people. [09:11]
2. Breaking Down Barriers: The narrative of Jonah and the Ninevites highlights the breaking down of barriers between Jews and Gentiles. Jonah's reluctance and eventual acceptance of God's mission to save a Gentile city remind us that God's compassion knows no bounds. We are called to break down our own barriers and extend love and grace to those who are different from us. [05:36]
3. Divine Provision: The gifts of the Magi—gold, frankincense, and myrrh—were not only symbolic but also practical, providing for Jesus' family's escape to Egypt. This teaches us that God provides for our needs in unexpected ways and that our offerings, no matter how small, can be used for a greater purpose. [13:34]
4. Judging by the Heart: God sees beyond outward appearances and judges by the heart. The Magi, despite being outsiders, were chosen to welcome Jesus, while those who should have embraced him were indifferent. This challenges us to look beyond external differences and recognize the value and potential in every person. [12:43]
5. The Gift of Love: The greatest gift we can offer to Jesus is to love God and our neighbors. This love transcends fear and prejudice, inviting us to live in a way that reflects the inclusive and transformative love of Christ. By making love our gift, we align ourselves with the core commandments of our faith. [15:32]
Youtube Chapters:
[00:00] - Welcome
[00:30] - The Magi's Journey
[01:13] - Gifts of the Magi
[01:48] - A Story of Heaven
[03:01] - Jewish Exclusivity
[04:27] - The Samaritan Paradox
[05:36] - Jonah's Reluctance
[07:13] - Jonah's Mission
[08:09] - God's Lesson to Jonah
[09:11] - God's Inclusive Love
[10:14] - Herod's Fear
[10:48] - The Opposition
[11:36] - Timing of the Magi
[12:43] - Judging by the Heart
[13:34] - Divine Provision
[14:46] - The Gift of Love
[15:32] - Love as Our Gift
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
1. Matthew 2:1-12
2. Jonah 1-4
Observation Questions:
1. What was the reaction of King Herod and the people of Jerusalem when they heard about the birth of Jesus? ([00:30])
2. How did the Magi respond when they found Jesus, and what gifts did they present to him? ([01:13])
3. What was Jonah's initial reaction to God's command to go to Nineveh, and how did he try to avoid it? ([05:36])
4. How did the Ninevites respond to Jonah's message, and what was Jonah's reaction to their repentance? ([08:09])
Interpretation Questions:
1. What does the inclusion of the Magi in the story of Jesus' birth suggest about God's view of outsiders? ([09:11])
2. How does Jonah's reluctance to preach to the Ninevites reflect the attitudes of the Jews towards Gentiles during that time? ([05:36])
3. In what ways do the gifts of the Magi symbolize both recognition of Jesus' kingship and practical provision for his family? ([13:34])
4. How does the story of Jonah challenge the idea of exclusivity in God's compassion and mercy? ([09:11])
Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you felt like an outsider. How did you experience God's inclusivity in that situation? ([09:11])
2. Are there any barriers or biases you hold that prevent you from extending love and grace to those who are different from you? How can you work to break them down? ([05:36])
3. Consider the gifts you can offer to Jesus today. What practical steps can you take to make love your greatest gift? ([15:32])
4. How can you ensure that you judge others by their heart rather than their outward appearance? What steps can you take to see the value and potential in every person? ([12:43])
5. Think of a situation where you might be running away from God's call, like Jonah. What steps can you take to align yourself with God's purpose? ([05:36])
6. How can you cultivate a spirit of inclusivity and acceptance in your community or church? What specific actions can you take this week? ([09:11])
7. Reflect on the story of the Magi and their journey. What does it teach you about seeking and honoring Jesus in your own life? ([01:13])
Devotional
Day 1: God's Love Knows No Boundaries
The story of the Magi's journey to honor Jesus is a powerful testament to God's inclusivity. The Magi, who were Gentiles, were chosen by God to witness and honor the birth of Jesus, illustrating that God's love and purpose extend beyond ethnic and religious boundaries. This challenges the notion of privilege and exclusivity that was prevalent among the Jews of Jesus' time, who saw themselves as God's chosen people and were often suspicious of outsiders. The Magi's inclusion in this divine narrative serves as a reminder that God's grace is available to all, regardless of their background or status. We are called to embrace this inclusivity in our own lives, recognizing that God's love is for all people. [09:11]
Isaiah 56:6-7 (ESV): "And the foreigners who join themselves to the Lord, to minister to him, to love the name of the Lord, and to be his servants, everyone who keeps the Sabbath and does not profane it, and holds fast my covenant—these I will bring to my holy mountain, and make them joyful in my house of prayer; their burnt offerings and their sacrifices will be accepted on my altar; for my house shall be called a house of prayer for all peoples."
Reflection: Who in your life might you be unintentionally excluding from experiencing God's love? How can you actively include them today?
Day 2: Breaking Down Walls of Division
The narrative of Jonah and the Ninevites highlights the breaking down of barriers between Jews and Gentiles. Jonah's reluctance and eventual acceptance of God's mission to save a Gentile city remind us that God's compassion knows no bounds. This story challenges us to break down our own barriers and extend love and grace to those who are different from us. Jonah's journey is a powerful reminder that God's mercy is not limited to a select group but is available to all. We are called to reflect on our own perceptions and biases, urging us to embrace a spirit of love and acceptance. [05:36]
Ephesians 2:14-16 (ESV): "For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility by abolishing the law of commandments expressed in ordinances, that he might create in himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace, and might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross, thereby killing the hostility."
Reflection: What is one barrier you have built between yourself and others? How can you begin to dismantle it today?
Day 3: God's Unexpected Provision
The gifts of the Magi—gold, frankincense, and myrrh—were not only symbolic but also practical, providing for Jesus' family's escape to Egypt. This teaches us that God provides for our needs in unexpected ways and that our offerings, no matter how small, can be used for a greater purpose. The Magi's gifts symbolize the recognition and honor of Jesus' kingship and foreshadow the provision for his family's journey. We are encouraged to trust in God's provision and to consider what gifts we can offer to Jesus today, knowing that they can be used for a greater purpose. [13:34]
2 Corinthians 9:8 (ESV): "And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work."
Reflection: What is one small gift or talent you have that you can offer to God today? How might He use it for a greater purpose?
Day 4: Seeing Beyond the Surface
God sees beyond outward appearances and judges by the heart. The Magi, despite being outsiders, were chosen to welcome Jesus, while those who should have embraced him were indifferent. This challenges us to look beyond external differences and recognize the value and potential in every person. We are reminded that God values the heart and that we are called to do the same. By judging by the heart, we align ourselves with God's perspective and open ourselves to the transformative power of love and acceptance. [12:43]
1 Samuel 16:7 (ESV): "But the Lord said to Samuel, 'Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.'"
Reflection: Who in your life have you judged based on outward appearances? How can you begin to see them through God's eyes today?
Day 5: Love as the Greatest Gift
The greatest gift we can offer to Jesus is to love God and our neighbors. This love transcends fear and prejudice, inviting us to live in a way that reflects the inclusive and transformative love of Christ. By making love our gift, we align ourselves with the core commandments of our faith. This message encourages us to reflect on our own perceptions and biases, urging us to embrace a spirit of love and acceptance. We are called to consider what gifts we can offer to Jesus today, emphasizing that the greatest gift is to love God and our neighbors. [15:32]
1 John 4:19-21 (ESV): "We love because he first loved us. If anyone says, 'I love God,' and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen. And this commandment we have from him: whoever loves God must also love his brother."
Reflection: How can you demonstrate love to someone you find difficult to love today? What practical steps can you take to show them God's love?
Quotes
"Our second scripture reading this morning comes from Matthew's Gospel in the second chapter. After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in the territory of Judea during the rule of King Herod, Magi came from the east to Jerusalem. They asked, where is the newborn King of the Jews? We've seen his star in the east and we've come to honor him." [00:01:46] (21 seconds)
"When King Herod heard this he was troubled and everyone in Jerusalem was troubled with him. He gathered all the chief priests and the legal experts and asked them where the Christ was to be born. They said in Bethlehem of Judea for this is what the Prophet wrote, you Bethlehem land of Judah by no means are you least among the rulers of Judah because from you will come one who governs." [00:23:42] (27 seconds)
"Then Herod secretly called for the Magi and found out from them the time when the star had first appeared. He sent them to Bethlehem, saying, Go and search carefully for the child. When you found him, report to me so that I too may go and honor him. When they heard the king, they went. And look, the star which they had seen in the east went ahead of them until it stood over the place where the child was." [00:53:89] (27 seconds)
"When they saw the star, they were filled with joy. They entered the house and saw the child with Mary, his mother. Falling to their knees, they honored him. Then they opened the treasure chest and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Because they were warmed in a dream not to return to Herod, they went back to their own country by another route." [00:81:07] (25 seconds)
"Well, a man died and went to heaven. St. Peter greeted him and agreed to show him to his mansion. Along the way, St. Peter pointed out the mansions of various well-known people. Oh, the mansion on the left, that belongs to John, the beloved disciple. Oh, this one is Martin Luther's place, and so forth. And as they went further down the street, they saw they were walking alongside a very high wall." [00:116:73] (27 seconds)
"That's not only true of Baptists and Catholics and Lutherans and Pentecostals and everyone else, it's also true of Americans and Russians. It's true of Democrats and Republicans. It's true of African Americans and people of European descent. It's true of men and women. It's true of young and old. And in the time when Jesus was born, the feelings were even stronger than they are now." [00:162:41] (24 seconds)
"Jews had even less use for Gentiles, people who weren't Jews. Gentiles have been a threat since the beginning of Israel's existence. Sometimes they were enemies on a battleground, but sometimes they were even more threatening. If a Jewish man fell in love with a Gentile woman who brought her into his home as his wife, what happens then? Would the woman become a Jew? Would the man become careless in his faith?" [00:282:72]
"Then, of course, there's Jonah. Jonah is sent to save the people of Nineveh, Gentiles all. You remember the story, Jonah and the whale. Actually, it doesn't say whale anywhere. It says a great fish, but let's not get caught up in the details. The point of the story is that God called Jonah, a Jew, to go to Nineveh to save a city full of Gentiles, and Jonah didn't want to go." [00:348:67] (25 seconds)
"God's will. God's called the light to shine in the heavens. God used the light to guide the wise men from the east to the place where Jesus was. The wise men were Gentiles, not part of God's chosen people, but God chose them for this mission anyway. And they were filled with honor and joy to be included. Of course, not everyone was excited about Jesus's birth. Matthew tells us that Herod was troubled." [00:590:64]
"It's also interesting to note that except for Herod, these are the very people who should have welcomed Jesus the most warmly. These were the chosen people, the people of God. They were the ones who should have been forming a cheering section for Jesus. Instead, they become his chief opponents. The cheering section turns out to be Gentiles, wise men. Astrologers, visitors from the East, shepherds. It seems backwards." [00:670:58] (34 seconds)
"God saw that the hearts of the people of Jerusalem would not receive Jesus gladly, but God also saw that wise men from the east would be filled with joy. So God appointed these Gentiles as the welcoming committee for God's Son. Furthermore, God allowed these Gentiles to make important gifts to Jesus, gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Odd gifts for a baby. Myrrh was actually a burial ointment, so some people that Matthew was pointing to the crucifixion even as Jesus was being born, that's possible." [00:777:96] (37 seconds)
"I think it's quite possible that God inspired the wise men to give Jesus' family these gifts as a way for providing what they needed for their trip to Egypt. Perhaps God had these wise men give the family the material resources they needed to save the Savior of the world. The lesson is this. Don't judge too quickly. It's a lesson that we ought to learn to not talk disrespectfully about Catholics or Baptists or conservatives or liberals or Democrats or Republicans or anyone else, the wealthy or the poor." [00:856:41] (45 seconds)
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