This post is “Christmas – Day 22”, if you haven’t already read Day 1, please click here.

Please comment below with your own thoughts about each verse and how you will be acting on each thought. Also, if you haven’t yet signed up to receive the notifications of new studies, please do that today (the form is at the bottom of the page).

Christmas – Day 22

Matthew 2:3-4

When King Herod and all Jerusalem heard about this, they became disturbed. He called together all the chief priests and the experts in the Scriptures and tried to find out from them where the Messiah was supposed to be born.

The Thought

When King Herod and all Jerusalem heard about this, they became disturbed. Throughout history, we can see that many a king has not been happy at the thought of another born to take his place. Especially one who was not his own flesh and blood!

Throughout history, we can see that many a king has not been happy at the thought of another born to take his place. Especially one who was not his own flesh and blood! But it must have been even more disturbing when these wise men came half way across the world having seen the signs in the stars!

What I question about this verse is that “all Jerusalem” was disturbed with him.

If there is a problem in a royal palace or a government building in our day and age, we only know what the media tells us. How did the people of Jerusalem know? Maybe it was because of Herod’s panic and calling together all the chief priests and teachers of the law. Maybe they represented many different families, and consequently a lot of people would have an idea of what was happening. Matthew seems to be trying to get across to his readers the panic in the palace!

Do you panic easily? Ask yourself if you are concerned when there is a political crisis in your country or anywhere else in the world. The media floods our homes, (if we allow it to) with information which is often designed to make us panic.

Action

Pray today for the media, for those who pass on bad news, pray for a louder voice for the truth. Ask the Lord to help you recognise the Spirit of truth, and discern the spirit of lies. Saint Paul warns Timothy about deceiving or lying spirits in the end times (1 Timothy 4:1). Ask God to help you search and find the truth about what is going on around us today.