Matthew 2:1-12 Visit of the Wise Men

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After reading the text aloud, I invite you to meditate (head):How would you describe the attitude of the Magi, when they came to see Jesus?
What can you learn from them that you could apply today?

I then invite you to imagine you were there, with the Magi, and ask Jesus to show you something he would like to speak with you about today (heart).

For the complete guide on this approach, click here

Matthew 1:18-25 Birth of Jesus Christ

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Head:
The Gospel of Luke focuses on Mary’s response, when the angel comes to announce her that she will be pregnant by the Holy Spirit.
The Gospel of Matthew focuses on Joseph's response.
Joseph tries to do the right thing. Since Mary was pregnant, the only logical conclusion for him was that she slept with another man. By putting her away secretly, she could then perhaps - later - marry the person who made her pregnant, and would not be stoned to death before.
Joseph could not do as if nothing happened, since Mary was pregnant with a child which was not his. It is only when the angel appears to him and gives him the so amazing explanation that the Holy Spirit made Mary pregnant, that he will accept. Joseph did not have a vision, like Mary or Zechariah (Luke 1), but had a dream. This means that he did not discuss with the angel but, after the dream, had to react to this dream. Joseph arose from his sleep and did as the angel of the Lord commanded him. If Mary did as directed, Joseph did also the same. He accepted to carry in his couple this secretly divine child.
It is striking to see the humble obedience of both Mary and Joseph. People could probably see that Mary became pregnant before living with Joseph as her husband,  and give harsh criticisms or crushing judgments. Yet, the young couple probably had to accept all this without answering, giving the impression of guilt and shame. Jesus would have to go through the cross, receiving public shame. Mary and Joseph had from his conception to learn to accept shame without answering a word.

Heart:
Lord Jesus, what would you like to teach me about this text?
The angel told Joseph that my name was to be Jesus, because I would deliver my people from their sins, and this text then associates this name with Emmanuel - God with us.  These two names are closer than they appear. To deliver from sin means to deliver from the separation with God. When Adam sinned he lost his ability to walk in the presence of God and to dialog with God simply and frequently.
I came to teach that I was indeed Emmanuel - God with us - yet I also came to lead people to experience a life united with God - God with you. To do this, I came to die for your sins, as a voluntary sacrifice of love for you. I also showed you the way to not only be forgiven but to also walk as a child of God - the real deliverance from sin. To be forgiven from your sins is indeed very important, but not enough. When a criminal is forgiven from his offense and can get out of prison, he still needs to learn to act without committing other crimes. For that to happen, you need to learn to walk with me, I am the way. As you walk with me, by inviting the Holy Spirit to dwell in you and to guide you in all you do, you learn to walk with God as Adam walked with God. I came to deliver you from your sins. I came to teach you to be with God. Both are intimately related. To be delivered from sin implies an intimate communion with us - and that you follow our guidance. It is not limited to a set of rules, although some rules like the Ten Commandments are useful. It is a heart intimacy with us, that leads you to live the blessed holy life we want for you.

Matthew 1:1-17 - Ancestors of Jesus

Devotional for today, January 1, 2017:

Graphic with text in pdf: here     Guide for doing devotional with this graphic tool: here

This devotional has two parts: 1. head (analysis and technical observations) 2. heart (listening to Jesus)

1. Head:
This text is a list of names, highlighting many key persons of the Bible before Jesus. The more we know about these persons, the more it can lead us to a blessed meditation.
It is interesting to note the key places where there are added elements, like the added mention of women (Tamar, Rahab, Ruth, Mary) or men (brothers of Judah, Zerah, Uriah, brothers of Jeconiah). Each departure from the standard genealogy format is full of important stories.
Just to pick a few:
- Tamar was denied by Judah the traditional right to have his last son for husband. Judah wrongly believed that she was the cause of the death of his two previous sons. The truth is that his two first sons died because of their wickedness. We are so quick to judge, yet here Judah finally recognized that Tamar was right and that he was wrong, even when she disguised herself as a prostitute to have a child with him. We find this story in Genesis 38.
- Rahab, the prostitute who protected the two Jewish spies in Jericho and was then saved. (Through a scarlet cord, something that is also used in the story of Tamar when she gives birth to Zerah when his hand goes out first). Rahab then marries Salmon, a Jew, and thus joins the Jewish people. (Joshua 3)
- Ruth, a Moabite, is graciously welcomed by Boaz, the son of Salmon and Rahab. Ruth was a poor widow in a foreign land, with little hope. It is striking that Boaz's gracious attitude toward Ruth the Moabite can be connected to the example of his father Salmon, who did not despise Rahab, but redeemed her as his wife. (Ruth2-4)

2. Heart:
Lord Jesus, what lessons would you like to highlight for me today?
First of all, notice the grace at work in this genealogy, where some people did not start well. My genealogy is not a bunch of perfect people, but imperfect people who learned to rely on my Father's grace.
Another key element, that you find in the story of Tamar, Rahab, Ruth or Mary, is that you should not judge based on the appearances. Often you can make mistaken judgments because you took only external clues and don't listen to me in prayer. I invite you to remember my words: do not judge and you will not be judged, do not condemn and you will not be condemned, forgive and you will be forgiven.
Learn to keep your heart open and to withhold judgment, so that through your intimacy with me you learn to see reality through my eyes, through my love. Sometimes I will warn you of things you did not notice, other times I will help you to realize how precious are some people that can look insignificant.