Today’s reading is Matthew 2.
The wise men must have been excited. Herod was so helpful. He also wanted to know where this child born king of the Jews was. He called a counsel together to search the Hebrew scriptures and figure out where they were supposed to go. He sent them on their way with well wishes. He informed them he too wanted to worship. He asked them to return and let him know where they found the baby Messiah. What a great guy!
Actually, no. Herod was a wicked scoundrel. He was a liar. Every bit of this was lies. Had the wise men followed Herod’s request, it would have spelled certain doom for Jesus. (Well…actually God would have just rescued Jesus some other way.) We learn a simple lesson from this. Not everyone who claims to want to worship Jesus, really wants to worship Jesus. Some are just liars.
However, something deeper is happening. Think through what has occurred here. Herod actually believed something had really happened in Bethlehem. Herod believed the wise men that the Christ had been born. He believed the priests and scribes when they said it would happen in Bethlehem.
Of course, he didn’t believe it enough to actually follow the wise men to Jesus and fall on his face to worship Him. However, he believed it enough to not simply scoff at the wise men or ignore their report. He believed it enough to take action. He believed it enough to follow in the footsteps of that ancient king, Saul, who, having learned God’s chosen one was someone other than his own family, tried to kill Him instead of seeing Him rise to the throne.
Isn’t that amazing. Here was someone who believed, at least to some degree, but would rather have his own power. He believed in Biblical prophecy. He believed in signs in the stars. But he also believed he could stop God’s plans. Frankly, this was the biggest lie he told–the one he told himself.
That’s kind of the way liars are. After a while, they start to believe their own lies.
Don’t be a liar. Be a wise man instead.
Tomorrow’s reading is Matthew 2.
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Discuss the Following Questions with Your Family
- What are your initial reactions to the chapter and the written devo above?
- Why do people lie?
- Why is honesty and truth better?
- What advice would you give others to be honest even when it hurts?
- What do you think we should pray for and about in light of this chapter and today’s post?
Read the Bible 