Magi
Day 435, Monday, Oct. 20
Matthew Chapters 1 – 2
In Daniel and the other prophets we frequently read about the seers and magicians and prophets who would advise kings and seek to interpret signs and wonders.
This is the kind of people that the magi were.
They had seen a great star and believed it to be a sign to be understood, so their followed it.
Herod, a Jew, had his own collection of wise men to consult, so when he heard the news from the magi, he consulted the chief priests and teachers of the law, who told him the messiah was to be born in Bethlehem.
They quoted the prophet Micah, saying, “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.”
While the magi were not Jewish and not part of God’s people, it is clear that they were both honest and honorable, as they protected the child and his family by not returning to Herod to report where he was.
Their story is an early sign in Matthew that the good news is not just for the Jews, but for the whole world.

-Rev. Mark Fleming

Monday meditation

Psalms 13:1-6
How long, Lord? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me? How long must I wrestle with my thoughts and day after day have sorrow in my heart? How long will my enemy triumph over me?
Look on me and answer, Lord my God. Give light to my eyes, or I will sleep in death, and my enemy will say, “I have overcome him,” and my foes will rejoice when I fall.
But I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation. I will sing the Lord’s praise, for he has been good to me.

Prayer focus
Lord, give us the wisdom to see the meaning of the truths that are before us.