When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him[.] Matthew 2:3
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 9. Here, John Piper unpacks Matthew 2:3 and what he sees as "two kinds of opposition to Jesus." Piper starts by sharing that "Jesus is troubling to people who do not want to worship him, and he arouses opposition against those who do. This is probably not a main point in the mind of Matthew, but it is an inescapable implication as the story goes on. In this story, there are two kinds of people who do not want to worship Jesus." Piper then describes the first kind of opposition as that posed by the chief priests and scribes in Matthew 2:4 - these Jewish leaders know earlier prophecies of Jesus and while they see the birth of Jesus as fulfilling prophecy, unlike the magi, they chose not to inquire further about Jesus. Piper shares: "[t]he sheer silence and inactivity of the leaders is overwhelming in view of the magnitude of what was happening....[The Jewish leaders] are not interested. They are not passionate about finding the Son of God and worshiping him." On the other hand, in v3 we see how not only Herod being troubled by Jesus' birth but "all Jerusalem." Herod opposes Jesus because he sees Jesus as a threat so he seeks Him out and because he does not find Jesus, Piper shares how Herod "commits mass murder just to get rid of Jesus." Piper concludes the devotion by sharing a sentiment that he hopes readers of the devotion are not opposed to Jesus but interested, engaged, saved, etc. by Him.
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My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are SO good and You provide for all of my needs, and never ever leave or forsake me. Thank You Jesus! I am not deserving of such love and blessings. 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.
