Daily Dose of the Word of God - Matthew 2

Kara Hackert, Director of Children & Family Ministries

Transcript

Kara Hackert  0:10 

Welcome to Elmhurst CRC's daily dose of the Word of God. It's Tuesday, December 3 during this Advent season. I'm Kara Hackert and this morning, I'm reading to you from the Children's Bible in 365 stories. "Where is the prince?"

Kara Hackert  0:27 

It was not only Jews who were looking for a great king promised by God. Tales of a coming King anointed and sent by God, had spread far and wide. Wise, learned men in distant lands waited for such a king to be born in the land of the Jews, who would rule the world in justice and peace. Scientists in those days studied the stars and the planets. They accurately charted their courses because they believed that they could learn from them about future happenings. At the time when Jesus was born in Bethlehem, some of the astrologers from far away discovered a star in the sky that shone with special brightness. Such a star they believed must be a sign that a great king had been born. Could it mean that the ancient prophecies had at last come true, and a king had indeed been born in far off Judea? Quickly, they packed up provisions for a long journey and taking with them rich gifts suitable for a king, they set off with a Camel Caravan towards the land of Israel. When they arrived at the border, they thought their quest was nearly ended. They would go straight to the palace in Jerusalem, the capital city - the baby would certainly be there. But at the palace, Herod reigned as king. He had been given his power by the Roman rulers, and he held it greedily. He was madly jealous of any who might he suspected tried to take his throne from him. When news reached him that this wealthy strangers had arrived, inquiring for a new king, he was alert at once. He knew too about the Bible's prophecies of a coming Messiah, and he hastily sent for the religious teachers. "Are there any scriptures that foretell where the promised King will be born?" He asked an agitation. "Yes, Your Majesty!" the learned teachers replied. "The prophet Micah writes that he'll be born in Bethlehem, the city of a great king, David" Herod ordered his servants to summon the strangers to a meeting. He listened politely to their story, carefully hiding his own fear and anger. "Go to Bethlehem," he advised them. "That is where the Messiah is to be born. Come back and tell me exactly where he is," He added. "For I shall want to visit him and take him presents too." Night fell as the wise men set off towards Bethlehem. As they journeyed, their special star came into sight once more how excited they were, God was surely guiding them to his king.

Kara Hackert  3:08  

Let's pray together. Dear Heavenly Father, we thank you for this King, Jesus, your son who came to save us. Help us to look for him and follow him every day. To you be all glory, Amen.