TEXT: And he (Herod) sent them to Bethlehem, saying, "Go and search diligently for the child, and when you have found Him, bring me word, that I too may come and worship Him." (Matthew 2:8)
How could anyone believe him? That's the question that strikes me every time I read the story of Herod and the wise men. "Let me know where you find Him, so I can go and worship Him, too." Only a fool would think that's what Herod really wanted to do. No king likes a threat to the throne, and Herod's murderous reputation was well-known.
I doubt the magi were taken in. They are called wise men, after all. But they were smart enough to keep their mouths shut and get on the road to Bethlehem, as quickly as they could.
And there they found-not lies, but truth. They found the truth of God, living in a little house with His mother and stepfather, no more than two years old, talking and playing as all children do. Here was no great powerful king concerned about His throne! This king was humble, innocent, and as weak as any toddler is. He told no lies. He probably didn't have enough language yet to say much of anything! But His very presence there in that little house, sitting in His mother's lap or playing with the cooking pots, gave one message loud and clear-God had come to His people to be their Savior, God-with-us-Immanuel. And that's no lie.
THE PRAYER: Dear Father, thank You for sending us Your Son Jesus-our Way, our Truth, and our Life. Amen.
Today's Bible Readings: Nehemiah 4-6 Revelation 17
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