Advent: Week 4 | Day 4

December 22 | Matthew 2:7-12

Herod had no intention to worship Jesus. He lied. He pretended to be interested in Jesus so as to hurt Jesus. It’s true that at times, it benefits us to pretend to follow Jesus. It is a benefit, at times, to claim to be a follower of Jesus, even though what we’re doing is on a mission contrary to His. 

Recently, I listened to a podcast where professional Christian musicians discussed how it’s hard to keep their faith alive when having faith is tied so closely to their paycheck. If they stopped being a Christian, they wouldn’t sell any more albums. This idea of a professional Christian is far removed from the Herod who pretended to want to worship Jesus… or is it?

The men from the East gave three gifts, each to speak to the identity of Jesus. 

Gold: a gift worthy of a king. 

Frankincense: a perfume used in worship,

Myrrh: a perfume used in burial. 

Jesus is the King, worthy of praise, who died for our sins—King, Divine, Savior. This is why Jesus was born. 

Reflection

Does the social expectation to be a Christian prevent you from truly worshiping Jesus?

If you were to give a gift to Jesus this Christmas that represented his kingship, divinity and ability to save, what would it be?

In what ways is Jesus your King, your God or your Savior? Give thanks for these. 

Prayer 

God, the One who sees the true intents of our hearts, make us to love you as you first loved us. God, the One who came to die for our sins, we give you thanks and praise for this most precious gift.