Daily Dose of the Word of God - Matthew 2: 9-12

Gregg DeMey, Lead Pastor

Transcript

Gregg DeMey  0:10 

Good morning friends and welcome to Elmhurst CRC's daily dose of the Word of God. This is Gregg DeMey, Lead Pastor at the church and it's Thursday, December 5 in the season of Advent - aseason for watching and waiting for God to do what only God can do. Today's reading is from Matthew chapter 2, verses 9 through 12, reading from the New Living Translation.

Gregg DeMey  0:32 

After the magi's interview with King Herod, the wise men went on their way, and the star that they had seen in the East guided them to Bethlehem. It went ahead of them and stopped over the place where the child was and when they saw the star, they were filled with joy. They entered the house and saw the child with his mother, Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. And then they opened up their treasure chests and gave him gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh, and when it was time to leave, they returned to their own country by another route, for God had warned them in a dream not to return to King Herod.

Gregg DeMey  1:11 

These wise men in Matthew chapter 2 are seeking what all wise people seek: God's presence. And God sends this star to lead them to a place, a God only knows place, where they find Jesus. And then this amazing scene unfolds, which is so full of contras. These powerful, learned Magi from afar giving gifts to a powerless small child. These Royals are bowing and kneeling before a peasant child in worship, giving their small gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh to the one who was and is the greatest gift. This season, we're hoping we all have time to ask this question, "What can I give him?"

Gregg DeMey  2:04 

There's this old poem and song that goes like this, "What can I give him? Poor as I am, if I were a shepherd, I would bring a lamb. If I were a wise man, I would do my part. But what I can, I give him. Give him my heart." What can I give him? It's not a question born of obligation, but born of wonder. God has given himself to us - what could I possibly offer in return? It's not a matter of finding the perfect thing, friends. God has already made his Christmas list clear, and there is only one thing on it. Do you know what it is?

Gregg DeMey  2:45  

Let's pray. God, you've given your fullness to us in Jesus and we want to respond and reciprocate as best as we can, but we need your help and your grace to even do that. We are such a mess and mix of motives and desires, but underneath all of our stuff, create in us a clean heart, a heart that is drawn deeper and deeper into you. We want to give, we want to pledge our very selves to you once again this day. For Jesus sake, amen.