DECEMBER 7 WHAT IS YOUR PERSPECTIVE OF JESUS THIS CHRISTMAS? By Scott Foreman Vice President of Growth and Impact Strategies, Word of Life Fellowship And you, O Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for from you shall come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel. (Matthew 2:6)
Matthew 2 showcases three outlooks on Jesus.
1. Gentile Perspective – Magi from the East journeyed to worship Christ. These Gentiles bravely inquired of Herod about Jesus’s birthplace. After worshiping the newborn king, the Magi were cautioned by God to leave via an alternate route, escaping Herod's threat. Reflection: Will you boldly stand as these wise men did, challenging an unbelieving world through your worship? 2. Jewish Perspective – King Herod feels threatened by the Magi's arrival and urgently seeks birthdate details to eliminate potential rivals. He consults Jewish leaders, who rightly pinpoint Messiah's birthplace but take no action. Their biblical knowledge bears no fruit. Reflection: Is your understanding of Jesus clouding sincere worship? Does knowledge translate to closeness with Christ? 3. Biblical Perspective – Matthew cites Old Testament passages (Micah 5:2, Hosea 11:1, Jeremiah 31:15) to authenticate Jesus as the Messiah. These prophecies underline Jesus as God's promised Messiah, revealing divine faithfulness. Reflection: Is Christmas a mere holiday or a testament to God's unwavering commitment across millennia? In these perspectives, we encounter a challenge to express faith courageously, avoid knowledge without action, and grasp the essence of God's faithfulness in the Christmas story.
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