Welcome to Thursday’s podcast, I’m Rich and I lead the student work here at STC along with James Brown. I’m excited to join you for the podcast this week, I hope you’re having a great time preparing for Christmas. This week we’re looking at how those around Bethlehem at the time of Jesus’ birth came to visit the new King, God with skin and bones.

REFLECTION

Today we’ll be looking at Matthew 2:1-6 where the Magi, scholars from the East, found a sign in the sky which led them to the new King of the Jews. You can hear the full passage at the end of the podcast but I was drawn particularly to verses 1 & 2:

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 are sometimes called the three kings or three wise men. These men were astrologers or astronomers, they were the top scientists of their day, and they would look at the stars as part of their day to day work. They would follow the pattern of the stars religiously and would be respected by society for their intelligence and large amount of wealth.

Then, in the midst of their usual work, all of a sudden, a star comes into view which is unlike anything they’d seen before. This star declares that a new king has been born, a new order has been established and the Magi want in. So they get themselves ready, pack their bags and follow the star which leads them to Jesus, they didn’t make this pilgrimage to just be spectators, they travelled to worship him.

At university I studied Biochemistry and while I wasn’t quite a scholar observing the stars, I would often find amazing ways to worship God through the things I was learning about. Like when I was learning about a molecular machine found in our cells which is even more efficient than any engine humans have designed. Or how the eye is better designed than any camera lens we’ve managed to muster up as a society, even with the best instagram filters. I was always amazed at God’s creation in the small details of molecules and cells, this led me into worshipping him.

But this spans out beyond science and stars. It was in their day to day lives that the Magi discovered the thing that led them to Jesus. So for us, today, in our usual routine where can we see God at work? What will be the thing that leads us to worship the King today? It might not be as obvious as a star burning bright in the sky but it could be that gentle voice when you’re doing the washing up, the prayer your kid says while they’re just about to go to sleep or that song that’s been on repeat on your Spotify. What thing is leading you to worship Jesus today?

When we get there we’ll fall on our knees, we’ll experience his love and in response we’ll give all of ourselves to Jesus. Just like gold, frankincense and myrrh were given so many years ago. We will encounter Jesus and we’ll be changed. Who doesn’t want that!

PRAYER

Father God, Thank you that you have placed things in our everyday lives; opportunities and signs that lead us to worship you. Whatever we’re doing today help us to look towards you and this Christmas come and encounter each and every one of us. Amen

READING: MATTHEW 2:1-6

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.”

When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him. When he had called together all the people’s chief priests and teachers of the law, he asked them where the Messiah was to be born. “In Bethlehem in Judea,” they replied, “for this is what the prophet has written:

“‘But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for out of you will come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel.