Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by John. But John tried to deter him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?” Jesus replied, “Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness.” Then John consented. Matthew 3:13-15
The Bible tells us that Jesus went to the Jordan River to be baptized. But why did Jesus even need to be baptized? It’s a fair question. After all, baptism is one of the ways that God forgives sin. That’s why each of us needs baptism. We are all sinful and need forgiveness.
But Jesus wasn’t sinful. Jesus was perfect. So, why did he need to be baptized?
The answer is in Jesus’ answer to John: “Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness.”
Jesus was righteous; he didn’t need any more righteousness. But we needed righteousness because righteousness is the entrance requirement for heaven. God demands that for us to be able to enter heaven, we need to be perfect.
And … we can’t do that.
So, we needed a Savior who would not only die in our place but also live in our place. We needed a Savior who could live a perfect human life, in every sense. And, Jesus did that. His baptism was a part of it. It was a part of his fulfilling God’s law for us.
Jesus fully stepped into your place. He was even willing to do things that he didn’t need to do, all so that you could be fully confident that he had done all that he needed to do for you. He did what was necessary for your salvation. The measure of righteousness you needed was filled up…by Jesus!
So, as you are reminded of Jesus’ baptism today, see there your salvation. And rejoice!
Prayer:
O Savior, assure me that I now stand before you as righteous, because of all that you’ve done for me. Amen.
Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by John. But John tried to deter him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?” Matthew 3:13,14
You can understand why John the Baptist was hesitant to baptize Jesus, can’t you? He was going to baptize Jesus? That seems oh-so-backward, doesn’t it? Consider the contrast: John was mortal; Jesus was immortal. John knew a few things; Jesus knew everything. Perhaps most importantly, John was a sinful human being; Jesus was perfect.
And so, yes, we can understand why John tried to deter Jesus. Jesus’ plan just didn’t make any sense to John. So, John thought he needed to deter Jesus because John thought he had a better idea!
Wait. A sinful human being thought that he had a better idea than God? Really? Yes, really!
And, how easy it is for us to do it, too. How easy it is to question God’s plans for our lives. Or, how easily we think or act in ways which are contrary to God’s Word, which is really saying, “No, Lord, I have a better idea.”
Amazingly, Jesus didn’t get angry at John or even chastise John. Instead, Jesus simply, said, “Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness” (Matthew 3:15). What patient grace!
And God will always show that amazing, patient grace to you, too—over and over again.
Oh, and by the way; you can also count on the fact that God’s ideas will always be better than your ideas!
Prayer:
Amazing grace, how sweet the sound, that saved a wretch like me. Please show me your patient grace, O Savior, even when I question You. Amen.
St. John’s Ev. Lutheran Church
313 East Montello St.
Montello, WI 53949
Emmanuel Ev. Lutheran Church
W1568 Evergreen
Lane
Montello, WI 53949
XW E L C O M E
T O O U R C H U R C H X
We extend a warm
welcome to everyone today, especially our visitors. In the bulletin you’ll find an outline of
today’s service, a calendar of events and other bits of information. In the red hymn book you’ll find the
songs we sing and the order of service that we follow. If you would like a large print hymnal or bulletin please ask one
of our ushers and they will gladly assist you. Restrooms and nursery area are located in
the parish hall at Emmanuel and in the lower level and link-way at St.
John’s. It’s nice to have you visit
today. “Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of
doing, but let us encourage one another–and all the more, as you see the
day approaching” (Hebrews 10:25). Welcome to God’s house! May God bless our worship together.
Pastor Peter Zietlow
Pastor Peter Zietlow
XG O D ’ S W O R D
F O R T O D A Y X
Jesus is
Revealed as Our Perfect Substitute – “Why did Jesus need to be baptized? I
thought baptism was for sinners?” That’s a common question among
Christians. It doesn’t make sense that our Savior, who was perfectly
sinless, would need to be baptized, and yet he was. Why? Because Jesus had
come to be our perfect substitute, and he is revealed as such in his
baptism. God laid on him the sin of the world (Jn 1:29). Even from birth,
he endured the effects of our sin. Jesus wasn’t a sinner himself, but he
was carrying our sin, pain, and sorrow (Is 53:4). He needed the assurance
of God’s love and forgiveness, just as if he were a sinner himself. Jesus
received those promises in baptism, just like we do.
608.297.2866
www.stjohnsmontello.org
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608.297.2866
www.stjohnsmontello.org
Like us on Facebook
X A S E R V I C E O F M
O R N I N G P R A I S E X
Morning Praise, composed by
Marty Haugen, is based on the historic service called “Matins.” Joined to
Christ, our risen Lord, we glorify God as we rise to the activities of this new
day.
PASTOR’S GREETING
OPENING HYMN
710 Jesus, Once With Sinners Numbered
Please stand
COME,
OH, COME, LET US SING TO THE LORD
An arrangement of Psalm
95, this song of praise reminds us of the many blessings that come to us from
the hands of our Creator God.
Pastor and congregation join in
singing the refrain and the verses.
Please
be seated
PSALM
45 hymnal page 83
Cantor sings the first line, congregation sings the
second line, everyone sings the refrains and Gloria.
XT H E W O R D X
The Lord Jesus speaks to us in Scripture
reading, preaching and song.
OLD TESTAMENT READING Isaiah 42: 1-7Summary:I will put my Spirit on
Him
“Here is my servant,
whom I uphold, my chosen one in whom I delight; I will put my Spirit on him and
he will bring justice to the nations. He
will not shout or cry out, or raise his voice in the streets. A bruised reed he will not break, and a
smoldering wick he will not snuff out.
In faithfulness he will bring forth justice; he will not falter or be
discouraged till he establishes justice on earth. In his law the islands will put their
hope.”
This is
what God the LORD says– he who created the heavens and stretched them out, who
spread out the earth and all that comes out of it, who gives breath to its
people, and life to those who walk on it: “I, the LORD, have called you in
righteousness; I will take hold of your hand.
I will keep you and will make you to be a covenant for the people and a
light for the Gentiles, to open eyes that are blind, to free captives from
prison and to release from the dungeon those who sit in darkness.
EPISTLE
READING
Acts
10:34-38
Summary:
God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power
Then Peter began to speak: “I now realize how
true it is that God does not show favoritism but accepts men from every nation
who fear him and do what is right. You
know the message God sent to the people of Israel, telling the good news of
peace through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all.
You know what has happened throughout Judea, beginning in Galilee after
the baptism that John preached– how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the
Holy Spirit and power, and how he went around doing good and healing all who
were under the power of the devil, because God was with him.
VERSE OF
THE DAY Mark 1:11
Alleluia. You are my Son, whom I
love; with you I am well pleased. Alleluia.
Please stand
GOSPEL
READING Matthew 3: 13-17 (today’s sermon text)
Summary: The baptism of
Jesus
Then Jesus came from
Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by John.
But John tried to deter him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you,
and do you come to me?”
Jesus replied, “Let
it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness.” Then John consented.
As soon
as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw
the Spirit of God descending like a dove and lighting on him. And a voice from heaven said, “This is
my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.”
Please
be seated
HYMN OF THE DAY 89
To Jordan’s River Came Our Lord
SERMON
Matthew
3: 13-17
“Jesus’ Baptism and Ours”
1. He was baptized to
fulfill all righteousness
2. We were baptized to wear
his righteousness
Please stand
YOU
ARE GOD, WE PRAISE YOUTe Deum
Pastor and congregation
join in singing the refrain and the verses.
Refrain
Please
be seated
X O F F E R I N G S O F G
I F T S & P R A
Y E R S X
THE OFFERING
During the offering, please greet one another and
sign the friendship register.
Please stand
PRAYERS
The Offering Prayer,Prayer for
the Baptism of our Lord and Intercessory Prayers (bulletin pg. 13) are
spoken by pastor.
P: Hear our
prayers, Lord Jesus Christ, and come with the good news of your mighty
deliverance. Drive the darkness from our hearts and fill us with your light;
for you live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and
forever.
C:Amen.
LORD,
HAVE MERCY Kyrie
L: Pastor C:
Congregation
THE
LORD’S PRAYER
Our Father, who art in Heaven,
hallowed be thy name,
thy kingdom come,
thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread;
and forgive us our trespasses
as we forgive those who trespass against us;
and lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom
and the power and the glory
forever and ever.
Amen.
SACRAMENT OF HOLY COMMUNION
At St. John’s and Emmanuel Ev. Lutheran Church we
practice closed Communion. If you are a guest at worship today and interested
in receiving the Lord’s Supper, please speak with the pastor prior to the
service.
Please be seated
DISTRIBUTION HYMNS 358 How Sweet the Name of Jesus Sounds
90:1-3 The People that in Darkness Sat
Please
stand
PRAYER
FOR GRACE
L:
Pastor C:
Congregation
L: ♫ O
Lord, our heavenly Father, almighty and everlasting God, you have
brought us safely to this
new day. Defend us with your mighty power, and
grant that this day we
neither fall into sin nor run into any kind of danger;
and in all we do, direct us
to what is right in your sight, through Jesus Christ,
your Son, our Lord.
BLESSING
Please
be seated
CLOSING HYMN 90: 4, 5
The People that in Darkness Sat
As you leave today’s
service, please give your completed Friendship Register sheet to an usher or
pastor.
Announcements
Activities for the week
of January 12 – January 18
Sun.
8:00 A.M.
Emmanuel
Worship
8:30 A.M.
St. John’s
Sunday School
9:00 A.M.
Adult Bible
Study at St. John’s
10:00 A.M.
St. John’s Worship
with communion
Mon.
9:00 A.M.
Pastor’s
Study Club at Mt. Zion – Ripon
6:30 P.M.
Choir at St.
John’s
7:30 P.M.
Adult Bible
Study at St. John’s
Tues.
6:00 P.M.
Joint
Worship Committee meeting at St. John’s
6:30 P.M.
Men’s Bible
Study at St. John’s
Wed.
8:00 A.M.
St. John’s
School Chapel
10:00 A.M.
Adult Bible
Study at St. John’s
1:40 P.M.
St. John’s
School & Little Lambs early release
2:15 P.M.
Public
School Teen Confirmation at St. John’s
4:00 P.M.
St. John’s
School Faculty Bible Study
6:30 P.M.
St. John’s
Worship
6:30 P.M.
Women’s
Bible Study at St. John’s
7:30 P.M.
Bible
Information Class at St. John’s
Thurs.
8:00 A.M.
St. John’s
School Teen Confirmation
6:00 P.M.
Griefshare
at St. John’s lower level begins (week 2)
Fri.
Sat.
Theme for Next Sunday January 19 ,
2020The 2nd Sunday
after the Epiphany: “Christ Is the Savior of All”
8:00 A.M.
Emmanuel
Worship
8:30 A.M.
St. John’s
Sunday School
9:00 A.M.
St. John’s
Adult Bible Study
10:00 A.M.
St. John’s Worship
INTERCESSORY PRAYERS – For those hospitalized, ill,
shut-in and facing trials: Wyatt Beahm (William and Alyssa Beahm’s infant son),
Pastor Raymond Cox (Marjorie Fabian’s brother), Gene Crook, Liola Crown &
son Terry, Agnes Dassow, Don Ebert, Reinold Eckelberg, Harold Fandrey, Lilah
Farrell, Roger Hillmer, Xzander Jahr, Melvin Johnson (Beth’s son), Cathy
Kolpanen (relative of Tim & Patty Schultz), Chris Krause (Gordy and Linda’s
son), Robert Lederer (Jackie and Jeanne Buchholz’ father), Delvin Mittelsteadt,
Steve Parrish, Peggy Russell (Elsa’s daughter-in-law), Kathryn Sigrist (Pastor
Gary & Orlene Johnson’s daughter), Doris Smith, Jennifer Strauss, Marvis
Wegner, Richard Winkler – (added this week: Gene Crook, Richard Winkler)
– For our communicants at St.
John’s
THANK YOU Thank you to Jean Sheller, Kay
Maass, and Edith Duesterhoeft for their generous donations toward the purchase
of the wreaths gracing the front doors of St. John’s. And thanks to all
the others who offered. It’s a beautiful way of welcoming everyone into
our church. And a special thank you to Ashley Henke, who uses her
creativity and skill to fashion those lovely wreaths.
THANK YOU In loving memory of Raymond Zacharias,
a donation was given towards St. John’s front doors repair from family and
friends. Thank you.
LADIES AND MEN’S BIBLE STUDY Women’s will resume onWednesday evenings at 6:30PM,
men’s will resume on Tuesdays at 6:30PM. Come study a series of topics: Past Lessons = Present Peace = Future
Hope, Basic Bible Stories for Faith and Life.
OFFERING STATEMENT SIGN UP The sign
up for your 2019 offering statement is located in St. John’s link way. Please
sign up if you wish to receive yours.
2020 OFFERING ENVELOPES Please pick up your 2020 offering envelopes
in St. John’s link way today! Don’t have any? Call the office 297-2866 and
Ciara will gladly help you out.
GRIEFSHARE The next 13-week session will begin Thursday, January
9th in St. John’s lower level.
ACH What is
ACH? Automated Clearing House. Interested in having your church offering
automatically deposited? Stop by the office or Information Room and fill out
your application today.
MEDITATIONS
& FORWARD IN CHRIST New “Meditations” and “Forward in Christ” WELS daily
devotional booklets and WELS monthly devotional magazine are available in the
church Informational Room.Help yourself!
ART FOR DINNER SAVE THE DATE Saturday,
February 22nd at 5:00pm.
Join us for a night of
fellowship, dinner, basket raffles and a silent auction of the children’s art
projects.
A few things to think about:
Complete informational packets will be sent home with each school
family tomorrow.
Tickets go on sale tomorrow, Jan. 13th and will be $25
each. A free hot dog meal will be available for kids 13 years and under.
Deadline to purchase is Monday, Feb. 17th. Stop by the office
today.
If there is anyone that would like to help with art projects, set
up, all the above… please feel free to contact: Megan Jaster- 608-369-3456
mj.jastersag@outlook.com or Ciara
Neuhauser 608-369-0901 ciaraneuhauser24@gmail.com. The more the
merrier!!
MEMBERS OF ST. JOHNS AND SCHOOL FAMILIES This past
summer the St. Johns council authorized the borrowing of $10,000 from the
church’s line of credit to replace and refurbish the school boilers. As some
may be aware, there have been a number of issues from the last couple years
keeping the boilers running and the school heated and it could no longer be
repaired. This project was completed late last fall. This also means that the
church officially is borrowing money from its line of credit. If you wish to
donate to help paying off the loan, please go ahead and do so. Any amount would
be greatly appreciated. Look to the information room for where this project is
at with regards to being paid off and where the other projects on the board are
at with funding. (many thanks to our generous members for donating!)
WELS NATIONAL CONFERENCE ON LUTHERAN
LEADERSHIP WELS Congregational
Services will host the first WELS National Conference on Lutheran Leadership at
the Sheraton Grand in Chicago, Ill., Jan. 21-23. The conference will have five
keynote presentations that deal with major cultural challenges before every
WELS congregation. Twenty-five breakout sessions will deal with issues specific
to certain congregations, including overcoming a consumer mentality in church,
Christian apologetics, increasing volunteerism, retaining and gaining young
members, fully utilizing the gifts of women in ministry, equipping members for
personal evangelism, having a “high-expectations” church, strategic planning,
using social media for outreach, operating a financially sustainable elementary
school, and more. Learn more at register at lutheranleadership.com.
LET’S CELEBRATE Our school has
been invited to participate in the WLA Let’s Celebrate Day on Sunday, Jan.
26. This day focuses on the blessings of
Christian education, and we have the opportunity to showcase our school as well
as support the WLA Federation. Three of
the federation grade schools will be providing entertainment, while WLA bands
and choirs will also be performing. We
will be singing a couple songs to provide about 15 minutes of entertainment. We
are asking all K-8 families to join us for this exciting day. Please respond to let us know that we can
plan on your children attending. The
entertainment portion of the day goes from about noon to 3:00. There will be many other activities going on
throughout the school that day, so it gives you a good opportunity to become
familiar with the school. Please note
that we are also singing in church here at St. John’s that morning. Again, please let your teacher know that you
can attend. Thank you!
Pies and tortes needed . . . lots of them! The WLA
Boys Basketball team is off to a great start to their season. As a gesture of
fan appreciation they will again be serving pie and ice cream this year at
Let’s Celebrate. Would you be willing to make the pies or tortes? If so, plan
on delivering your dessert to WLA Saturday, January 25th or Sunday morning,
January 26th. Contact Jessi Schwartz jessi@fonddulaclaw.com or Jenny Nell at
JennyNell13@yahoo.com with any questions, comments or concerns. THANK YOU!
Attendance
Emmanuel
St. John’s
1-5 1-8
81
132
3
St. John’s Altar Committee
January
2020
Elaine Kelm
&
Carolyn Rosenthal
Emm/Usher Schedule
January 12
Emm Don
Stelter, Bob Ferber, Paul Dahlke
SJ Don Smith; Chief, Zeb
Zuehls , Mark Emond, Ben Emond, Kevin Kaul,
January 19
Emm Darrell
Buchholz, Jim Stuempges, Joe Heller
SJ Kenon Smith; Chief, Corey
Kaul, Ken Borzick, Paul Van Treeck,
Haiden Van Treeck
January 26
Emm DuWayne Sommerfeld, Noah
Buchholz, Gary Wegner
SJ James
Wachholz ; Chief, James Henke, Matt Borzick, Nolan Van Treeck,
Martin Schmanke
February 2
Emm Darrell
Buchholz, Bruce Stelter, Brian Ninnemann,
comm. assist. Lucas
Stelter
SJ Don
Smith ; Chief, Aaron Kendall, Chuck Boetcher, Jim Eisermann,
Jerre Duerr
February 9
Emm DuWayne Sommerfeld, Paul
Wuerch, Paul Dahlke
SJ Kenon
Smith ; Chief, Joe Zauner Sr., Joe Zauner Jr., Jon Vote, Joe Vote
●●●
Welcome To Our Visitors!Please Sign Our Guest RegisterFind & Like us on FacebookVisit our website link:www.stjohnsmontello.orgPastor Peter Zietlow: (608) 408-7830
E-mail:zietlowPL6@hotmail.comLittle Lambs Director & Teacher
Mrs. Lynn Sellnow: 616-826-0816
K, 1st & 2nd
Grade Teacher Ms. Shelley Myers:
920-285-7554
3rd-5th Grade
Teacher Ms. Rachel Naumann: (847)
913-2135
Principal & 6th – 8th
Grade Teacher Mr. Larry Sellnow:616-822-6689
Church & School Secretary Ciara
Neuhauser: (608) 297-2866
Altar Ladies: Elaine Kelm: (920) 344-0025&Carolyn Rosenthal: 589-5036
Church & School Address/Mail: 313 E Montello St, Montello, WI 53949
Church & School E-mail:scsecretary@stjohnsmontello.org
●●●
Remember the Beatles tune? “I wanna’ hold your hand?” Holding hands is an intimate gesture. It expresses love and affection without using words. Humans appreciate a personal touch.
Our Bible reading for today pictures a parent taking a child by the hand. Can you picture it? The parent and toddler need to cross the street. So the parent takes the toddler by the hand, guiding, protecting.
So, whose hand is being held in this Bible verse? Surprisingly, the picture is that God the Father is the parent, and it’s Jesus’ hand that is being held. It reminds us that Jesus—the true God—became truly human, with our human weaknesses and needs. And so, God the Father guided him, protected him, indeed, “held his hand” as he walked Jesus through life and finally to his death on the cross. The Father was guiding, protecting, holding the Son through it all.
But to what end? It was all for YOUR benefit and MINE. It was all so that forgiveness and eternal life could be won for YOU and ME. The Father held the hand of the Son; guiding, directing, and caring for him but ultimately with your best interests in mind.
And so now? Now God the Father—because of the work of God the Son—can look at you and say, “I wanna’ hold your hand, too!”
Prayer:
Thank you, Father, for holding Jesus’ hand so that he was able to win my salvation. Comfort me today with the assurance that, whatever comes my way, you are holding my hand through it all. Amen.
For Zion’s sake I will not keep silent, for Jerusalem’s sake I will not remain quiet, till her vindication shines out like the dawn, her salvation like a blazing torch. The nations will see your vindication, and all kings your glory; you will be called by a new name that the mouth of the LORD will bestow. Isaiah 62:1-2
Have you ever had such important news that you couldn’t keep quiet about it? How much twittering and chatting and posting happen when a favorite team wins a championship?
When anything political happens the talking heads hardly stop to take a breath. When your 6-year-old gets a new Lego set you can be sure everyone will know about it. Presents, football games, politics… in the grand scheme of things, they matter so little, yet they garner so much of our time and excitement.
The prophet Isaiah had the same truly incredible news. News that was so good he could not keep silent. The news was not political but spiritual. The news was that God would make his people glorious.
What makes this news so amazing is that we, by nature, are anything but glorious. Our sins make us filthy in God’s sight. The rude words we speak, the selfish things we do, the silent lust and greed in our hearts should all rightly merit God’s wrath and eternal punishment. Yet instead of eternal separation, it’s a different “S” word for those who put their faith and hope in Jesus: SALVATION!
God gives us the gift of salvation. That means he takes away our sins and gives us Jesus’ righteousness as our own. We are glorious, not because of our own glory, but because Jesus’ glory makes us glorious.
Isn’t that great news? It’s better than any championship, political turn of events, or Lego set. Like the prophet Isaiah, we cannot keep quiet about it. We want everyone to know what Jesus has done for them. Whom can you tell today?
Prayer:
Lord God, thank you for the incredible gift of salvation. Help me to treasure this gift each day and open my mouth so that I too may share the good news which you have for all people. Amen.
And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route. When they had gone, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream. “Get up,” he said, “take the child and his mother and escape to Egypt. Stay there until I tell you, for Herod is going to search for the child to kill him.” Matthew 2:12,13
After the Magi visited Jesus in Bethlehem, God gave them a dream warning them not to return to King Herod in Jerusalem. Herod had told the Magi to return and tell him where the King of the Jews had been born so that he could worship as well. But Herod had no intention of worshiping Jesus. He intended to kill him. The Magi heeded God’s warning and returned home by another route. When they failed to return to Jerusalem, Herod flew into a rage. He ordered that every boy in Bethlehem two years old or younger be slaughtered, figuring that in this way he would be sure to eliminate this new King that was challenging him.
God rescued Jesus from Herod’s homicidal plans by having the Magi bypass Jerusalem on their journey home. He also rescued Jesus by commanding Jesus’ stepfather Joseph to take him and his mother Mary to safety in Egypt. God did all this because Jesus had a very important mission to accomplish. Jesus had been born to save all people from their sins. In order to do that, Jesus needed to live a perfect life, not just for a couple of years, but for thirty-three years. Jesus needed to die, but not as a young child at the hands of murderous King Herod. He needed to die as an adult on a cross on a hill outside Jerusalem.
God’s intense desire for the eternal salvation of all people led him to warn the Magi about Herod’s deceitful scheme. And for that, we can be eternally grateful. Because God protected the young Jesus in the way that he did, Jesus did indeed live to accomplish his mission. He lived, died, and rose again for us and all people so that through faith in him we might live in his kingdom forever.
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, all praise to you for accomplishing your mission as our Savior. Amen.
On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. Matthew 2:11
When was the last time you looked at a baby registry, either for yourself or for someone else? What kinds of things did you see listed there? Most likely, you saw a lot of very practical things that the new parents could use in taking care of their new baby. Perhaps there were diapers, bottles, blankets, washcloths, onesies, books, and even a few toys.
But have you ever seen a baby registry that listed gold, frankincense, and myrrh? Probably not. For us, those three things don’t seem all that practical for taking care of a young child, unless you sold them and used the proceeds to buy other things that you might need.
However, those were the gifts that the Magi gave to Jesus when they finally found him. And they were extremely appropriate gifts, given what the Magi knew about who Jesus was. The Magi understood that this child, whom they had traveled a very long distance to see, was more than just a child. He was God’s promised Messiah. He was their Savior. As their Savior, he was worthy of all their worship, which they gave him as they bowed down before him. And he was worthy of their best, which they gave him as they opened their treasures of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
We who have seen much more of what Jesus did as God’s chosen Messiah have even more reason to give him our worship. We, after all, know exactly how Jesus fulfilled his mission as our Savior. We have seen the perfect life he lived on our behalf. We have seen the death he died to pay for all our sins. We have seen his glorious resurrection, through which God declared that Jesus’ saving work was complete. For all that and more, we cannot help but join the Magi in worshiping Jesus and giving him our best. He most certainly is worthy of every bit of worship we can give him.
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, to you I give myself in worship, for you are worthy of all honor and praise. Amen.
When he had called together all the people’s chief priests and teachers of the law, he asked them where the Messiah was to be born. “In Bethlehem in Judea,” they replied, “for this is what the prophet has written: ‘But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for out of you will come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel.’” Matthew 2:4-6
Jerusalem seemed to be the logical place for the Magi to look for the one who was born King of the Jews. After all, where but in the capital city would a king be born? But the newborn King of the Jews was not to be found in Jerusalem. So where would the Magi find him?
Herod called together all the religious scholars and asked them if they knew where this new king, this Messiah, was supposed to be born. The religious scholars knew immediately where the new king was to be born. “In Bethlehem in Judea,” they told Herod.
How did they know? Had they received some special revelation from God? Had they overheard people talking about some strange events that had happened in Bethlehem some months ago? No. They knew where the Messiah was to be born because they had read the Old Testament. There, in the book of Micah, God had said, “But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times” (Micah 5:2).
If what the Magi said was true and this new King of the Jews had been born, then he must be in Bethlehem, for that is what God had promised. And, of course, that was exactly correct. Jesus had been born in Bethlehem, just as God had promised. This was just one of the many, many promises of God that Jesus fulfilled throughout his life. And when you take all these fulfilled promises together, they can only mean one thing. Jesus, who was born in Bethlehem as King of the Jews, truly is the Messiah God promised to send. He truly is our Savior.
Prayer:
All praise and thanks to you, Lord Jesus, born for me in Bethlehem just as God promised; you truly are my Savior. Amen.
Herod the Great ruled the region of Judea from 37 B.C. to 4 B.C. He is known for his many great building projects, including his massive expansion of the temple complex in Jerusalem. He was also famously jealous and paranoid. Whenever he suspected that someone was becoming a threat to his power, he wasted no time in having that person killed. Victims of his murderous paranoia included his brother-in-law, mother-in-law, wife, and three of his sons.
So, it is no wonder that when Herod heard that some new King of the Jews had been born, he was disturbed. It also is no wonder that all Jerusalem was troubled right along with him. The people of Jerusalem knew what Herod was capable of. They knew that news of the birth of some supposed rival to Herod’s throne could not mean anything good.
Neither Herod nor the people of Jerusalem had any reason to be disturbed, however. The one who was born King of the Jews posed no threat to Herod’s rule over Judea. In fact, this newborn king had no designs at all on holding any sort of earthly authority. He was a King, to be sure. But he was a different kind of king than Herod was. Herod was an earthly king ruling an earthly kingdom. Jesus, the king whom the Magi were seeking, was a heavenly King ruling a heavenly kingdom.
Jesus’s kingdom does not occupy any territory that you can locate on a map. Rather, his kingdom is his rule in the hearts of his people through faith. His kingdom is established in a person’s heart when the Holy Spirit, working through the good news of Jesus, leads that person to trust in Jesus as their Savior. And Jesus’ kingdom spreads, not through military conquest, but as more and more people hear the good news of Jesus and, through the power of the Holy Spirit, also come to trust in Jesus as their Savior.
Jesus’ kingdom has extended to you also, as God the Holy Spirit has led you to trust in Jesus as your Savior. Through faith in Jesus, you are a member of his kingdom and a citizen of heaven.
Prayer:
King Jesus, reign always in my heart through faith. Amen.
After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.” Matthew 2:1,2
Elizabeth II is the queen of the United Kingdom and the countries in its Commonwealth. Therefore, if you are a citizen of one of those countries, Elizabeth II is your queen. However, if you’re not a citizen of one of those countries, she’s not your queen.
When the Magi came to Jerusalem, they were looking for Jesus, “the one who has been born king of the Jews.” The Bible doesn’t tell us what nationality the Magi were. But since they came from “the east” (perhaps from Persia or Arabia), people have always assumed that they were not Jewish. So, why did these non-Jewish Magi travel so far to worship this king of the Jews?
The answer lies in the fact that while Jesus was indeed born king of the Jews, his kingdom was not limited only to the Jews. Jesus also came to be the King and Savior of all people, regardless of their nationality. The citizens of his kingdom were all those from every nation on earth who trusted in him as their Savior.
The Magi recognized this about Jesus. They recognized that even though they were not Jews, the one who was born king of the Jews was also born to be their King. He was born to be their Savior. They trusted that the forgiveness of sins that this king of the Jews would win was also for them. They knew that through faith in him, they too were citizens of his kingdom, regardless of their nationality.
Jesus also was born to be your king. It doesn’t matter who your ancestors were. It doesn’t matter what earthly citizenship you now hold. If you are a member of the human race, then King Jesus was born for you. He was born to be your Savior. The forgiveness he came to win he also won for you. Through faith in him, you are a citizen of his kingdom, for he was born King of all.
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, I praise you that you came to be the King of all people, including me. Amen.
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Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.
