December 9
Today's Reading: Matthew 2:16-18
This passage helps us determine the timing of the visit of the magi. Herod orders all the babies two years old and younger be killed, which was in accordance with the timeline the magi had given him.
There is such a contrast between the kind of king that Herod was and Jesus. Herod was so afraid of losing his power that he was willing to murder innocent babies. Contrast that with the humble leadership of Jesus who was willing to die for those who are part of His kingdom. As we are reminded in Philippians 2, that is how we are to treat others:
Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.
Philippians 2:3-8 (ESV)
At Christmas, much of the world, ascribes to this idea, but as disciples of Jesus we need to live this way year round.
This passage helps us determine the timing of the visit of the magi. Herod orders all the babies two years old and younger be killed, which was in accordance with the timeline the magi had given him.
There is such a contrast between the kind of king that Herod was and Jesus. Herod was so afraid of losing his power that he was willing to murder innocent babies. Contrast that with the humble leadership of Jesus who was willing to die for those who are part of His kingdom. As we are reminded in Philippians 2, that is how we are to treat others:
Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.
Philippians 2:3-8 (ESV)
At Christmas, much of the world, ascribes to this idea, but as disciples of Jesus we need to live this way year round.
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