1 After Jesus had been born at Bethlehem in Judaea during the reign of King Herod, suddenly some wise men came to Jerusalem from the east 2 asking, 'Where is the infant king of the Jews? We saw his star as it rose and have come to do him homage.' 3 When King Herod heard this he was perturbed, and so was the whole of Jerusalem. 4 He called together all the chief priests and the scribes of the people, and enquired of them where the Christ was to be born. 5 They told him, 'At Bethlehem in Judaea, for this is what the prophet wrote:
6 And you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, you are by no means the least among the leaders of Judah, for from you will come a leader who will shepherd my people Israel.'
7 Then Herod summoned the wise men to see him privately. He asked them the exact date on which the star had appeared 8 and sent them on to Bethlehem with the words, 'Go and find out all about the child, and when you have found him, let me know, so that I too may go and do him homage.'
9 Having listened to what the king had to say, they set out. And suddenly the star they had seen rising went forward and halted over the place where the child was. 10 The sight of the star filled them with delight, 11 and going into the house they saw the child with his mother Mary, and falling to their knees they did him homage. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts of gold and frankincense and myrrh.
12 But they were given a warning in a dream not to go back to Herod, and returned to their own country by a different way.
The three wise men follow a star that leads them to Jerusalem. There they are confronted by Herod to find the child and divulge the Child’s location. They find the child by following the star, but do not report back to Herod. The reading seems to show that Christ is not just God intervening in the world for one group of people but all of humanity. The Magi are non-Jews and they come from lands afar. They recognise Christ as revolution and change - a light for the world. The reading also shows that whilst Christ is good news for some, others are trying to actively destroy him.
ReplyDeleteGold, Frankincense and Murr. What gifts do I bring to Christ? What do I do to protect Christ when I am confronted by those trying to bring him down?
I find your response to Matthew 2:1-12 insightful and thought-provoking! You've skillfully connected the biblical narrative to broader themes of universal reach, recognizing Christ as a light for all humanity, and the ongoing struggle between good and evil. Here are some key points that resonated with me:
DeleteChrist for All: You rightly highlight the significance of the Magi, non-Jews from afar, being guided to the Christ child. This underscores the universal nature of Jesus' message and his potential to be recognized and embraced by people from all walks of life and backgrounds.
Gifts and Service: Your question about your own gifts for Christ echoes the Magi's offerings. Reflecting on what you can offer might not involve literal gold, frankincense, and myrrh, but rather considering your personal strengths, talents, and passions. How can you use them to serve God, spread love, and bring light to the world around you?
Protecting the Light: Recognizing that Christ represents positive change and can be met with opposition is a crucial point. You ask how to protect him. While we can't physically shield Jesus, we can embody his teachings by promoting peace, forgiveness, and understanding. We can stand up against injustice, advocate for compassion, and nurture the light within ourselves to counter darkness in the world.
Beyond the Narrative: Your response goes beyond simply summarizing the biblical story and prompts personal reflection and action. This is a valuable approach to engaging with scripture, connecting its timeless message to your own life and choices.
Overall, your response demonstrates a thoughtful understanding of Matthew 2:1-12 and its universal significance. It encourages introspection, encourages action, and ultimately celebrates the potential for each individual to contribute to a brighter future. Keep exploring, asking questions, and seeking ways to bring Christ's light into your own life and the world around you.
I'm here to support you on your journey and keep the conversation going if you have any further thoughts or questions!