January 6, 2024 – Epiphany

“In the time of King Herod, after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, asking, “Where is the child who has been born king of the Jews? For we observed his star at its rising, and have come to pay him homage.” When King Herod heard this, he was frightened, and all Jerusalem with him; and calling together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Messiah was to be born. They told him, “In Bethlehem of Judea; for so it has been written by the prophet: ‘And you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for from you shall come a ruler who is to shepherd my people Israel.’” Then Herod secretly called for the wise men and learned from them the exact time when the star had appeared. Then he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, “Go and search diligently for the child; and when you have found him, bring me word so that I may also go and pay him homage.” When they had heard the king, they set out; and there, ahead of them, went the star that they had seen at its rising, until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw that the star had stopped, they were overwhelmed with joy. On entering the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother; and they knelt down and paid him homage. Then, opening their treasure chests, they offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they left for their own country by another road.” Matthew 2:1-12

It all begins with the arrival of the wise men in Matthew 2:1-12 – the saga of the fight between good and evil. These Magi come to Herod the King asking their way to the “Newborn King”. Now, look, you do not ask a sitting king “Where’s the new king?” It just isn’t done. The arrival of the Wise Men and their question sets the city in turmoil. Is Herod’s throne in question?

There are two kings, and two kingdoms: “one of violence” and “one of Peace”. And Herod’s violence has a sword drawn against Peace (against Jesus). But, at every turn, Herod’s attempt to destroy Jesus is thwarted by the will of G-d. And even with Herod’s death, the chase of violence after peace will not end. Because, after this Herod comes Herod Archelaus, and after him will come another Herod — all the way down to Herod Antipas. The pattern of Jesus, Jesus the king of Peace, retreating from the threat of Herod, the king of violence, begins at his birth — at the beginning with Joseph’s decision to flee to Egypt. Joseph and his new family will flee — from Judea to Egypt — from Egypt to Judea — and from Judea to Nazareth. But once he begins his adult ministry, Jesus’ days of fleeing are over. He might retreat when overwhelmed by grief, or when he needs to get away and pray to His Father. But his kingdom, the one begun through his cross and resurrection, is a battle worth fighting for, not retreating from.

My friends, you and I live in two kingdoms:

 A kingdom of violence — all around us, every day.

A kingdom of Peace — through Jesus Christ and his teachings. 

Every day we are on the front lines of a battle field — the battle between good and evil — between violence and Peace. It is a battle we cannot ignore, we cannot shrink from, and we cannot pass along to others.

Let us pray:

Lord Jesus, teach me to be a part of your kingdom of peace by speaking and living a life of peace.

Pastor Dave

January 5, 2024 – the Twelfth day of Christmas —“Studying the Teachings of the Lord” — The Twelve Days of Christmas

“So now, Israel, give heed to the statutes and ordinances that I am teaching you to observe, so that you may live to enter and occupy the land that the Lord, the God of your ancestors, is giving you. You must neither add anything to what I command you nor take away anything from it, but keep the commandments of the Lord your God with which I am charging you. You have seen for yourselves what the Lord did with regard to the Baal of Peor—how the Lord your God destroyed from among you everyone who followed the Baal of Peor, while those of you who held fast to the Lord your God are all alive today. See, just as the Lord my God has charged me, I now teach you statutes and ordinances for you to observe in the land that you are about to enter and occupy. You must observe them diligently, for this will show your wisdom and discernment to the peoples, who, when they hear all these statutes, will say, “Surely this great nation is a wise and discerning people!” Deuteronomy 4:1-6

I go through ups and downs in how I study the Bible. Sometimes I participate in a group Bible Study, and other times, I study with some pastor friends of mine, or by myself. And yes, there are times I don’t study at all. I think my eighteen year commitment to the ministry as a pastor has taught me that the more disciplined time of study I can commit to, the more I also find that I hit a dry spell. During this time every year, many people will make a list of goals for the upcoming year. Being a list-maker by nature, I try to set goals I can accomplish by listing them out – so that I get the occasional good feeling that I have finished something.

On this twelfth day of Christmas, take time in the beginning of 2024 to set some goals for your spiritual enrichment. Look for opportunities around you to increase your daily time with G-d’s Word.

Let us pray:

Lord, we all need some encouragement to dig into your Word – to study it and to pray upon it. Help me this year to not let another year go by without setting time aside daily to increase my spiritual health.

Pastor Dave