CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE DAILY DEVOTIONAL ON YOUTUBE
Matthew 2:3-8
When King Herod became aware of the birth of the “King of the Jews” (Matthew 2:2, NKJV), he was startled as he himself was “king of the Jews.” The wise men brought this news to him in sincerity as they desired to worship the newborn King, but the desires of King Herod were self-centered thinking only of himself and of the threat to his status as “king of the Jews.”
We learn in Matthew 2:4-6 of the knowledge that the chief priests and scribes had of the coming Messiah as they quote to king Herod the prophecy of the prophet Micah from Micah 5:2;
‘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’” [Micah 5:2].
Upon hearing this news, king Herod gave a request to the wise men that they report to him of the whereabouts of this “Baby King” so that he too may go and worship Him. But as we will soon see, King Herod’s heart was not sincerely seeking the Messiah so that he could go to worship Him.
This is the prophecy of the Christ Child to be born in Bethlehem of Judah.
This is an example of the knowledge that the chief priests and scribes had of the coming Messiah.
This is an example that not everyone was seeking the Messiah with sincere hearts to worship Him as the Savior of the world (John 3:17).
This is the reality of how some people seek Jesus without a sincere heart. There is a seeking Jesus for the wrong reasons which is only a false since of salvation as one may desire to make God conform to their own desires. But God knows the hearts of everyone – if they are sincere or not. That is the sincere truth laid bare before God, because He knows the sincerity of our hearts and the requirement is to be sincere to God with our intentions of seeking our Savior Jesus. This is only possible if God touches our heart, opens our eyes, and fulfills the mystery within us that the Apostle Paul speaks of in Colossians 1:27-29 (NKJV), “To them God willed to make known what are the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles: which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. Him we preach, warning every man and teaching every man in all wisdom, that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus. To this end I also labor, striving according to His working which works in me mightily.” How do we know who God has willed or not willed to know these things? We don’t, that’s why we continue to preach and teach to everyone who will give an ear to listen, that maybe today one more might open their heart to Jesus and become a sincere child of God through salvation in Christ Jesus. For Jesus proclaimed in John 14:6 (NIV), “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”
Dear LORD,
King Herod felt threatened by the presence of another king who was given the title of “King of the Jews” (Matthew 2:2), just as many people feel threatened today by the thought of allowing our Savior Jesus to become “King” of their heart with all sincerity. I ask Your blessings on these people today LORD, that You would open their eyes so that they may see Your great love for them in sending Your one and only Son to save them from sin and begin a relationship that will last for eternity – in Christ. In Jesus name I pray, amen.