Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem, saying, "Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him." Matthew 2:1-2
I maintain a pause of my study of 1 Corinthians as I continue using DesiringGod.com's Advent devotions where I pick up on Day 7. Here, John Piper unpacks Matthew 2:1-2. Piper first contrasts Matthew's account of the gospel with Luke's (see Luke 2:8-18 and also post yesterday). Piper shares: "Unlike Luke, Matthew does not tell us about the shepherds coming to visit Jesus in the stable. His focus is immediately on foreigners — Gentiles, non-Jews — coming from the east to worship Jesus." Piper then highlights how Matthew's gospel both starts and ends with a focus on how Jesus "[was/is] a universal Messiah for all the nations, not just for Jews." Piper continues: "Here the first worshipers are court magicians, or astrologers, or wise men not from Israel but from the East — perhaps from Babylon. They were Gentiles. Unclean, according to the Old Testament ceremonial laws." Of course we know from Matthew 28:19-20 Jesus's words from the Great Commission that gospel is not just for Jews but "all nations." The devotion then refers us to Isaiah 60:3 as the devotion pivots to how Matthew's focus on non-Jews not only opened the door for Gentiles to be saved, "it added proof that [Jesus] was the Messiah. Because one of the repeated prophecies was that the nations and kings would, in fact, come to him as the ruler of the world." Piper concludes the devotion by sharing that "Matthew adds proof to the messiahship of Jesus and shows that he is Messiah — a King, and Promise-Fulfiller — for all the nations, not just Israel."
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My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who is full of grace and compassion for me. Thank You Jesus for including me in Your plan to be saved and so many others. I am not deserving of such love and compassion. My sin is great and it continues...daily. Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You. Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me. Help me grow in my faith. Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength. Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo. Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior. Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin. Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others. Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.
