The Christmas story is not always comfortable! This weekend Pastor Steve Andres began our THIS CHRISTMAS series with a message about the Magi.
Matthew 2:1-2
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.”
The Magi were outsiders to God’s people, and yet they have a prominent place in Matthew’s account of the Christmas story. What can we learn from this?
1) The Christmas story is irritating in its inclusivity.
All throughout the Christmas narrative we see unexpected characters given starring roles in God’s redemption story. The Gospel is the story of God’s wild grace extended toward people who don’t deserve it, and that begins with us.
2) The Christmas story is irritating in its exclusivity.
King Herod knew that the arrival a new king was a challenge to his rule. At the heart of the Gospel story is the challenge to every ruler that would take God’s place in our hearts. Jesus didn’t mince words when he said, “I AM the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”
Jesus was born to be LORD and KING!
