Responses to Christ: Joy, Fear, and Indifference
Summary
The story of the Magi, Herod, and the religious leaders in Matthew 2 offers profound insights into how different people respond to the birth of Christ. The Magi, often mischaracterized as kings, were actually learned seekers from the East, driven by curiosity and a quest for truth. Their journey, guided by a star, led them to the Christ child, where they offered gifts symbolizing their devotion and recognition of Jesus as the source of life and love. Their response was one of joy, worship, and self-giving, a model for how we might respond to God's revelations in our lives.
In contrast, King Herod represents the worldly powers that resist God's work. Herod's response to the news of Jesus' birth was one of fear and hostility. His paranoia and desire to maintain power led to deceit and violence. Herod symbolizes the ways in which we might resist God's transformative work in our lives, clinging to power and control rather than embracing the new life Christ offers.
The religious leaders, the scribes, and priests, who should have been the first to recognize and celebrate the Messiah's arrival, responded with indifference. Despite their knowledge of the scriptures, they were unable to see beyond their expectations and comfort. This serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of complacency and the importance of remaining open to God's unexpected movements.
As we reflect on these responses, we are invited to consider our own reactions to God's presence and guidance. Are we like the Magi, willing to journey into the unknown in search of truth and love? Or do we find ourselves more aligned with Herod or the religious leaders, resisting change or remaining indifferent to God's call? The story challenges us to respond with openness, curiosity, and a willingness to follow where God leads.
Key Takeaways:
1. The Magi's Journey of Faith: The Magi exemplify a journey of faith marked by curiosity and a willingness to seek truth beyond their comfort zones. Their response to the star's guidance led them to the Christ child, symbolizing the joy and fulfillment found in pursuing God's revelations. Their journey encourages us to remain open to divine guidance and to seek God with a spirit of wonder and devotion. [25:49]
2. Herod's Fear and Resistance: Herod's reaction to Jesus' birth highlights the destructive nature of fear and the desire for control. His actions remind us of the ways in which worldly power can blind us to God's work and lead to harmful decisions. This serves as a warning to examine our own hearts for areas where fear and control might hinder our openness to God's transformative presence. [17:51]
3. The Indifference of the Religious Leaders: The religious leaders' indifference to the Messiah's arrival underscores the danger of complacency and the importance of remaining vigilant in our spiritual lives. Despite their knowledge, they failed to recognize the fulfillment of prophecy. This challenges us to stay attentive to God's movements and to be willing to embrace new understandings of God's work in the world. [18:55]
4. The Call to Respond with Love and Openness: The contrasting responses in the story invite us to consider how we will respond to God's presence in our lives. Will we respond with fear and resistance, or with love and openness? The Magi's example encourages us to embrace God's call with a spirit of generosity and self-giving, trusting that God has something better for us. [27:05]
5. The Practice of Star Words: The tradition of Star Words offers a tangible way to reflect on God's guidance throughout the year. By focusing on a word that symbolizes God's call, we are encouraged to remain open to new insights and to seek God's presence in our daily lives. This practice can lead to personal epiphanies and a deeper connection with God. [31:54]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [10:18] - The Magi's Journey
- [11:28] - Herod's Deception
- [12:35] - Joseph's Obedience
- [13:33] - The Role of the Scribes and Priests
- [16:19] - Understanding Herod the Great
- [17:51] - Herod's Fear and Violence
- [18:55] - The Indifference of the Religious Leaders
- [20:38] - The Magi's Response
- [23:34] - The Magi's Teamwork and Discovery
- [25:49] - The Magi's Gifts and Devotion
- [27:05] - Our Response to God's Call
- [28:05] - The Journey of Epiphany
- [31:54] - The Tradition of Star Words
- [35:36] - Benediction and Closing Hymn
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
- Matthew 2:1-12
#### Observation Questions
1. What motivated the Magi to embark on their journey, and how did they respond upon finding Jesus? [10:18]
2. How did King Herod react to the news of Jesus' birth, and what actions did he take as a result? [17:51]
3. What was the response of the religious leaders to the news of the Messiah's birth, and what might this indicate about their expectations? [18:55]
4. How did the Magi's gifts symbolize their recognition of Jesus' significance? [25:49]
#### Interpretation Questions
1. What does the Magi's journey teach about the importance of seeking truth and being open to divine guidance? [23:34]
2. How does Herod's fear and desire for control serve as a warning for us in our own lives? [17:51]
3. In what ways might the indifference of the religious leaders reflect a danger of complacency in our spiritual lives? [18:55]
4. How can the practice of Star Words help us remain open to God's guidance throughout the year? [31:54]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you felt called to step out of your comfort zone in pursuit of truth or love. How did you respond, and what was the outcome? [23:34]
2. Are there areas in your life where fear or a desire for control might be hindering your openness to God's transformative presence? How can you address these areas? [17:51]
3. Consider your current spiritual practices. Are there ways in which you might be complacent or indifferent to God's movements? How can you become more attentive? [18:55]
4. How can you cultivate a spirit of generosity and self-giving in response to God's call, similar to the Magi's example? [27:05]
5. Choose a Star Word for this year. How will you incorporate it into your daily life to seek new insights and deepen your connection with God? [31:54]
6. Think of a situation where you might be resisting change. What steps can you take to embrace God's new life and opportunities? [27:05]
7. Identify one way you can actively seek God's presence in your daily routine this week. What specific action will you take to make this a reality? [28:05]
Devotional
Day 1: Journeying Beyond Comfort Zones
The Magi's journey is a profound example of faith and curiosity. These learned seekers from the East were not kings but individuals driven by a quest for truth. Their willingness to leave their comfort zones and follow a star led them to the Christ child. This journey symbolizes the joy and fulfillment found in pursuing God's revelations. The Magi's response was one of joy, worship, and self-giving, offering gifts that recognized Jesus as the source of life and love. Their journey encourages us to remain open to divine guidance and to seek God with a spirit of wonder and devotion. [25:49]
Isaiah 60:1-3 (ESV): "Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you. For behold, darkness shall cover the earth, and thick darkness the peoples; but the Lord will arise upon you, and his glory will be seen upon you. And nations shall come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your rising."
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you feel God is calling you to step out of your comfort zone? How can you take a small step in that direction today?
Day 2: The Destructive Nature of Fear
King Herod's reaction to Jesus' birth highlights the destructive nature of fear and the desire for control. Herod's paranoia and desire to maintain power led to deceit and violence, symbolizing the ways in which worldly power can blind us to God's work. This serves as a warning to examine our own hearts for areas where fear and control might hinder our openness to God's transformative presence. Herod's story challenges us to let go of our fears and embrace the new life Christ offers. [17:51]
1 John 4:18 (ESV): "There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love."
Reflection: Identify a fear that is currently holding you back from fully embracing God's work in your life. What steps can you take to confront this fear with God's love and truth?
Day 3: The Danger of Complacency
The religious leaders' indifference to the Messiah's arrival underscores the danger of complacency and the importance of remaining vigilant in our spiritual lives. Despite their knowledge of the scriptures, they failed to recognize the fulfillment of prophecy. This serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of complacency and the importance of remaining open to God's unexpected movements. It challenges us to stay attentive to God's movements and to be willing to embrace new understandings of God's work in the world. [18:55]
Hebrews 2:1 (ESV): "Therefore we must pay much closer attention to what we have heard, lest we drift away from it."
Reflection: In what ways have you become complacent in your spiritual journey? How can you reignite your passion for seeking God's presence and guidance?
Day 4: Embracing God's Call with Openness
The contrasting responses in the story of the Magi, Herod, and the religious leaders invite us to consider how we will respond to God's presence in our lives. Will we respond with fear and resistance, or with love and openness? The Magi's example encourages us to embrace God's call with a spirit of generosity and self-giving, trusting that God has something better for us. This call to respond with love and openness challenges us to trust in God's plan and to follow where He leads. [27:05]
Proverbs 3:5-6 (ESV): "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths."
Reflection: Think of a recent situation where you resisted God's guidance. How can you choose to respond with openness and trust in the future?
Day 5: Reflecting on God's Guidance
The practice of Star Words offers a tangible way to reflect on God's guidance throughout the year. By focusing on a word that symbolizes God's call, we are encouraged to remain open to new insights and to seek God's presence in our daily lives. This practice can lead to personal epiphanies and a deeper connection with God. It invites us to consider how we can remain attentive to God's movements and embrace the journey of faith with curiosity and devotion. [31:54]
Psalm 119:105 (ESV): "Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path."
Reflection: Choose a word that you feel represents God's call for you this year. How can you incorporate this word into your daily life as a reminder of God's guidance?
Quotes
You know, as I read the second chapter of Matthew, one thing that always strikes me is that everybody involved had the same basic information. They all knew a baby had been born in Bethlehem. They all knew who the baby was, but they all responded differently. They all respond differently. And so as we consider all these characters in our reading from Matthew this morning, I'd like to explore with you how these different folks, or groups of folks maybe, but how these characters received and responded to the news of Christ's birth, because we find here three different responses, which are not only relevant to the story, but I think relevant for us as well as we consider how we may respond in our lives to the story. [00:14:04] (47 seconds)
A symbol for all the ways the powers of the world try to work against the powers of God. And so it's important for us to remember Herod, to look at him and who he is and how he works so that we can be aware when we run across the Herods in our own world and in our own hearts and our actions and our attitudes maybe and find ways in which we're not opening ourselves up to Christ the way that we should. [00:15:12] (27 seconds)
Personally, he was so paranoid of losing power that he murdered everyone who even had an opportunity to betray him, including his own mother, his wife Alexandria, and three of his four sons. And what we see in the scripture before us this morning is Herod's jealousy, insecurity, and dishonesty on full display. [00:17:51] (22 seconds)
The city did not rise up with joy at the announcement that this king had been born. And I guess it's that people have always preferred the misery they know to the misery they don't know. It doesn't make any sense, but it's our human nature. This is exactly what the arrival of Christ the king was to be about. And so Herod calls these priests and scribes of the people, and inquires of them, where's the Messiah going to be born? And they tell him, Bethlehem. And they give them, you know, the chapter and verse of the prophecy, which is astounding to me. I mean, they know the scripture. They know the truth. [00:19:51] (36 seconds)
You know, I love the carol, We Three Kings. I love to sing it every Christmas. But in actuality, they were not kings. I mean, that got mistranslated somewhere along the way. They were probably some kind of Persian priestly class. So they did have some position of privilege. And certainly they were learning people, people who had resources. [00:22:32] (20 seconds)
And they were people who were curious about the world. They were curious about this world. And they were spiritual seekers. And so they studied and they paid attention and they took notes and they watched. And because of that, they were aware of a change in the cosmos. [00:22:51] (18 seconds)
These wise men, these magi, they were passionate about things. They were excited. Herod was selfish. The priests were indifferent or in denial, but the wise men had this vision that led them beyond themselves. [00:24:46] (17 seconds)
But they were on a quest for truth, for the source of life and for love. They were on a quest for God. And so, they leave, they physically leave and they journey. And where does this journey lead them? It leads them to the Christ child who is at home with his parents. And there they see the source of all life and love. [00:25:25] (25 seconds)
They brought their best selves. They brought their best gifts of expensive gold and elixirs that had these elaborate additional purposes and spiritual significance. And so, they gave them to the child. And it really wasn't about the gifts, but it was what the gifts symbolized of how they were going to devote themselves to God, to the source of all this life and love for the rest of their lives. [00:25:51] (29 seconds)
God always gives us opportunities to learn something new, to follow the star, to go beyond ourselves, to make a connection, to discover again, to discover a new, to discover the source of all love and life that is around us all the time. And we have choices in how we innocently we're going to respond? [00:27:05] (24 seconds)
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