The Darkest Day of Christmas

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“God showed ruthless Herod mercy through the wise men. He was given a chance by His Creator to go with them and genuinely worship baby Jesus, but he refused.”

In our modern celebration of Christmas, it is a joyous time of the year. But when we look at the origins of the holiday, we find a dark and tragic side. And when we go deeper, we discover how a little baby posed such a grave threat to one man’s power.

One day the whole city of Jerusalem became stirred, when a large entourage of wise men arrived. Nearly two years earlier they observed an unusual light in the sky. They were a group of men who studied the stars. Through their study, God revealed the star was a sign that a king had been born.

Therefore, the wise men were strongly compelled to follow it. They began travelling from their far eastern country and went many miles. They were led to the city of Jerusalem. When they arrived, they began asking, “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 2:2) Their presence and what they were asking troubled the city. Soon King Herod, who governed Jerusalem, was made aware of their arrival and met with them. The wise men asked Herod the same thing.

Decades earlier, the Roman Senate conferred on Herod the title, “King of the Jews.” Herod had a reputation as an evil ruler, for he had executed some of his own family members in his obsession to retain power. So, when the wise men came looking for this baby king who had been born, all Israel knew Herod would go after this political rival, even if He was just a baby.

Herod assembled the religious leaders, and based upon various prophecies it was determined the Baby-King was born in the city of Bethlehem. The wise men travelled there to worship Him. Later, after being tricked by the wise men, Herod ordered all baby boys in the Bethlehem region, two years and younger, to be seized from their families and executed. Pure evil! There was no “joy to the world.” It was a dark time, and an ominous sign of things to come. Jesus’ life would be continually marked by conflicts with those in power. His life would eventually come to a temporary end, when He was crucified by Jewish and Roman leaders. Temporary, because three days later He rose from the dead and foiled their plans.

The person and message of Jesus will pose a conflict with many who are in power. Why? Because it is a battle about authority. It is an inner spiritual conflict of the heart over the Lordship of Jesus. Herod had no intention of bowing before Christ, as the wise men did. Instead, he foolishly sought to destroy Him and a whole city of baby boys.

So many like Herod, are drunk on their own pride. They blind themselves with their hard heart toward the divine hope they so desperately need. As a result, they continue bringing havoc and chaos on themselves and those around them. All the while, they do not understand other people are not their enemy, but it is God. They are opposing the ways of God to their own demise. And just as it drove Herod to absolute madness, it will do the same to anyone else. Herod was rich, famous and powerful, yet He was miserable.

Even so, God showed ruthless Herod, mercy through the wise men. He was given a chance by His Creator to go with them and genuinely worship baby Jesus, but he refused. Today, you are given the same chance. Through Christ, there is good news. If you turn from your pride and submit before Heaven’s King you can have peace. The war within will end. Refreshment from heaven will be poured out upon you.

A prayer for you. “Lord God, I pray you will humble the mightiest and proudest. Send an earthquake upon their lives to reveal they are mere men and women. Then show them mercy. Provide them an opportunity to come and worship the King of Kings and receive His eternal peace. In Jesus’ name. Amen.”

Why Should We Pray Over our Meals?

“When we pray over our meals, it is an acknowledgment of God’s grace that has come to us through the provision of our food.”

Have you ever been in a restaurant where at one table, after people received their food, they just plowed right in and started eating, while at another table you observe a family bowing their heads over their food in prayer first? Where does this tradition of praying over meals come from? Is it a uniquely American tradition that came from the Pilgrims we read about in our history books, or is it something else?

Once when Jesus had His disciples together, He had some bread and a cup laid out for them. He was instituting what we call the Lord’s Supper or Communion, “And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he said, ‘Take this, and divide it among yourselves . . .’ And he took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to them . . .” (Luke 22:17-19)

On another occasion, during a teaching ministry of Jesus, He provided food for thousands of people who were hungry “. . . he took the seven loaves and the fish, and having given thanks he broke them and gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the crowds.” (Matthew 15:36) And when Jesus had a large group another time, He did the same thing, “Jesus then took the loaves, and when he had given thanks, he distributed them to those who were seated.” (John 6:11)

The Apostles of Jesus followed this example. When Paul was on a ship, before he ate with all those on board, the Scripture says, “. . . he took bread, and giving thanks to God in the presence of all he broke it and began to eat.” (Acts 27:35)

When you see someone praying over their food, it does not come from some national tradition, it comes from the example Jesus set.

What does “giving thanks” mean? The Greek word for thanks written in English letters is eucharistos. Does it look familiar? It means to be thankful for God’s grace. His grace are His gifts given to us, not based on any worth within ourselves, but because of His mercy. In regards to praying over meals, it is an acknowledgment of this grace that has come to us through the provision of food.

There are three parts of giving thanks we see in each of the stories. First, there is the receiving of the food, as from God. Though we bought it with our money, and was made by ourselves or others, and ingredients provided through farmers, we still acknowledge God’s hand in it all. Second, is giving thanks to God. This is having a sense of gratitude toward the one who provided. Third, is giving to others. Jesus received the food, offered thanks, then gave. In each of the stories it was not just about giving thanks to satisfy their own appetites, it was also about giving unto others. The one providing the funds, gives of themself to buy the food. The cook gives of themself in preparing the meals. Another gives of themself to provide food for the poor and hungry. This is why inviting people to our home for a meal is important. It is a way of sharing with others, what God in His grace has provided for us.

Jesus has shown us the cross through giving thanks over a meal. He came from heaven to earth to receive humanity unto Himself. He offered thanks to His Father for the opportunity to show divine grace toward all people through providing forgiveness for their sins. Then He gave of Himself to die and rise again for that work to be completed. Giving thanks to God, is more than just for food, but for the Savior of the world who graciously died that we might live.

A prayer for you. Lord God, I praise you for your grace that has provided us the food we have eaten today. We are unworthy of such grace. We acknowledge your provision and pray that you will open a door for us to share with another, what you have given us. In Jesus’ name. Amen.”

Stand Up and Speak Up! Say Something!

Image by Lothar Dieterich from Pixabay

“Jesus had to stand up and speak up and did so with wisdom and divine power. He was not compelled by national zeal. He was driven by a higher cause; the truth of His Father’s Word.”

What should we do when see people engaging in things that are clearly morally wrong? When evil and lawlessness is unfolding before us, how should we respond? To often, our natural human response is to let things go. We will think about it and talk about it, but in the end, we are hesitant, timid and extremely cautious to get involved. Did you know that God sees things otherwise? He wants you to stand up and speak up against things that violate His most holy Word. That is His gospel, the good news! How so? Because it can save people from the unknown and dangerous consequences of their foolish immoral choices.

As Jesus was nearing the end of His ministry, He approached Jerusalem, where He would be crucified. He came into the city with the adoration of the people, but something changed within Him when He stepped into the temple. As He looked around and observed what was happening, a burning zeal swelled up inside Him. He saw people buying and selling. They had turned His Father’s temple into a business. He responded to this evil with decisive boldness. He swiftly approached a man’s table doing business. He grabbed it and flipped it upside down, causing the money to fly everywhere. Then He proceeded to another table, and another. The merchants could see a burning in His eyes and none challenged Him. Then He spoke out to all who could hear, “It is written, ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer’, but you make it a den of robbers.” (Matthew 21:13) Afterwards He continued to teach and minister to people, but the religious leaders became incensed at such actions.

Why did Jesus do this? The account shows no one forcing Him to do it. And if He would have done nothing, no one would have thought otherwise. He did it for the zeal of His Father and His Word. His passion for what was right burned inside Him. It grew to a holy and just anger over what He saw. He had to stand up and speak up and did so with wisdom and divine power. He was not compelled by national zeal. He was driven by a higher cause; the truth of His Father’s Word.

Jesus was the wisest man who ever lived. He knew He would anger the religious leaders, who had the authority to arrest Him. He knew it would create a chaotic and divisive scene. He knew He could possibly loose some followers. There was much risk in what He did, but He did it anyway. Why? Because He had to. Zeal for His Father so moved Him, there was no other option.

Where is such holy zeal today? We have many with a fiery national zeal, that rise up for things that violate our freedom of speech and religious liberty. But where are those with a heavenly zeal, that will stand up and speak up when God’s Word is violated?

Too many are willing to ignore or just talk about the evil things happening around us. Where are the pastors and local church leaders who are willing to address the sins of their community or nation at the risk of loosing members and finances?

Why did Jesus do this and why should we? To love our neighbor. When we respond to evil with a Jesus-like zeal and boldness, we are showing sacrificial love. Meaning, we are willing to sacrifice or risk it all to help people stop their sinful behavior and to turn toward Christ. There they will find forgiveness and newness of life. It will spare them from the eternal consequences of their darkened hearts. It is the most loving thing we could ever do for people. Are you willing to live like Jesus, no matter the cost?

A prayer for you. “Lord God, raise up a generation of divine zeal-filled men and women. Fill them with such a passion for you, your Word and others, that they are compelled to stand up and speak up for the glory of your name. In Jesus’ name. Amen.”