“Through the gospel the Gentiles are heirs together with Israel, members together of one body, and sharers together in the promise in Christ Jesus.”
Ephesians 3:6
The thoughts below are from The Characters of Christmas by Daniel Darling (2019):
“The prominent and wealthy men from the East traveled far and wide, not to sit at the feet of the one who occupied the throne in Jerusalem, but to bow before an infant in a house in Bethlehem. The star from heaven didn’t point to Herod, but to Jesus.
“Matthew is telling us that true worshipers worship the true King. While most of Israel slept in spiritual lethargy and those who knew the Scriptures … were more fearful of Herod than God, these men had the faith to worship the One who deserved worship: Jesus.
“The presence of these men from the East—outsiders, Gentiles—is a confirmation of God’s promise to send a Messiah who would not only be the King of the Jews, but a Messiah for the nations. Jesus’ kingdom is … not just for insiders, but for outsiders. … It is often those who seem so far from God whom God by His Spirit is drawing.
“Thank God that His promise wasn’t only for a certain ethnic group, but that in His kingdom, we see every nation … represented.”
“The prominent and wealthy men from the East traveled far and wide, not to sit at the feet of the one who occupied the throne in Jerusalem, but to bow before an infant in a house in Bethlehem. The star from heaven didn’t point to Herod, but to Jesus.
“Matthew is telling us that true worshipers worship the true King. While most of Israel slept in spiritual lethargy and those who knew the Scriptures … were more fearful of Herod than God, these men had the faith to worship the One who deserved worship: Jesus.
“The presence of these men from the East—outsiders, Gentiles—is a confirmation of God’s promise to send a Messiah who would not only be the King of the Jews, but a Messiah for the nations. Jesus’ kingdom is … not just for insiders, but for outsiders. … It is often those who seem so far from God whom God by His Spirit is drawing.
“Thank God that His promise wasn’t only for a certain ethnic group, but that in His kingdom, we see every nation … represented.”
Scripture Focus
Matthew 2:1-2, 16
Insight
Most of us are among the “outsiders” the gospel extends to. Be assured that God is drawing us to Him, no matter what our background.
Bible In A Year
- Zechariah 1-4
- Proverbs 28
- Revelation 13-14