St. Matthew 2:3-8

THE ELEVENTH DAY OF CHRISTMAS  - SATURDAY, JANUARY 5, 2008

WHY DO YOU SEEK JESUS

3 When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. 4 And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born.
5 So they said to him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for thus it is written by the prophet:
6 ‘ But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,
Are not the least among the rulers of Judah;
For out of you shall come a Ruler
Who will shepherd My people Israel.’”[a]
7 Then Herod, when he had secretly called the wise men, determined from them what time the star appeared. 8 And he sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search carefully for the young Child, and when you have found Him, bring back word to me, that I may come and worship Him also.” St. Matthew 2:3-8 (NKJV)

Early in my ministry I learned that often there can be two different reasons why someone asks a question. At a meeting of the County Ministerial Association, the local Captain (Pastor) of the Salvation Army Church was presenting the program for the day. His topic dealt with the people who come to the church asking for financial help. He told us that if they were people we knew and could be of assistance to go ahead and help if we could. He went on to say that if you don’t know them, don’t help them; send them to us. He said that when people ask for help, they could be asking for two different reasons. Some really need food or gas to survive the day and reach a destination where relatives are waiting to help them. Some really need the gas to drive different places seeking a job. THEN there are some who say they want money for food or gas but they will spend it for drugs, alcohol, cigarettes, gambling, or just to keep from working. There are also those who ask for gas money who are wanted by the law. In the last two cases, you could be in trouble for aiding and abetting if a crime would be committed.

That is a long illustration, and here is how it applies to our Devotion.
The Wise Men wanted to know where Jesus was born so they could go and Worship Him.

Herod wanted to know where Jesus was born so he could go and kill Him.

What questions do you have about this Jesus born in Bethlehem? Why do you ask them? Do you ask them because you truly and deeply want to know, understand, and experience the overwhelming Love that God has shown to you by sending His Son? OR do you ask them to try to find a way to get around doing that which God would have you to do? There is a major difference.

The Wise Men asked the question for the Right reason. They received their answer and went on to bask in the Glory of the Newborn King.

Herod asked the question for the wrong reason and went on to the suffering that eventually will come upon all who turn away from Almighty God.

WE PRAY:  Heavenly Father, send your Holy Spirit upon me that I might have the courage and wisdom to ask the right questions for the right reasons. May your daily answers to my daily questions lead me through the troubles and pitfalls of this world to the Joy of arriving at Your Throne of Grace and Mercy. AMEN

A SUGGESTION FOR LIVING THE DEVOTION

Consider a question that you may have asked God over and over again. Did you ask that question wanting a certain answer? Did you ask that question for your own benefit or for the benefit of others? Did you ask that question truly believing that God’s answer is the only right answer. If it is a question concerning health, then these are very tough questions, but they need to be asked, and they need to be prayed about.