Bible, Discipleship

HOW WILL WE PREPARE?

by Jeremy Norton

Our Second Advent

When do you start preparing for Christmas? Do you start the day after Thanksgiving, or maybe even before that?

Do you start playing Christmas music after the first snowfall? Then immediately move to decorating, wrapping gifts, and Christmas baking?

What if I told you preparations were a matter of the heart? That preparing for Christmas has little to do with what we do, and more to do with why we do it? (Our heart condition leading up to Christmas can make all the difference!)

Advent is all about preparing for Christmas.

This week is our 2nd Advent, and preparation is our focus; preparing to celebrate the first Christmas. Preparing to honour the newborn King, the Messiah, Our Coming Saviour.

Today, we look at a man named Herod, who did nothing in the way of preparing for the Messiah, until it threatened his own earthly kingdom. (Then he made evil preparations!)

We’ll contrast him with a few other men who spent years preparing, just for one moment to bow and worship the newborn king. We’ll consider Herod’s preparation versus the Wise Men’s preparation. How did each of them learn of this newborn King?

Herod was lacking!

1 Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem, 2 saying, “Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.” 3 When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him; 4 and assembling all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. 5 They told him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for so it is written by the prophet: 6 “‘And you, O Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for from you shall come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel.’”

Matthew 2:1-6

Herod first learned from the Wise Men, then had to call in the Chief Priests and Scribes. Before the Wise Men arrived, he didn’t seem to care!

In looking at Herod as a historical figure, it makes sense. He was a prideful man, focused on his earthly kingdom. Why would a self-absorbed king ever be in any anticipation or preparation for a new King?

The Wise Men on the other hand, likely had wealth, and status, and perhaps even kingdoms of their own? And yet it didn’t stop them from studying of Old Testament Scriptures and the stars, seeking the greater Kingdom to come.

The Wise Men committed their entire lives to prepare!

Think about their life-long studying and searching for the truth. We get a sense that they’ve been preparing for this moment for years, for their entire lives.

Where Herod is full of pride, we get a sense of humility and submission within the Wise Men. They are focused on God’s eternal kingdom and have always been searching for answers to bigger questions outside of themselves.

This is a heart condition for preparation.

Herod’s was lazy!

7 Then Herod summoned the wise men secretly and ascertained from them what time the star had appeared. 8 And he 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.” 9 After listening to the king, they went on their way. And behold, the star that they had seen when it rose went before them until it came to rest over the place where the child was. 10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy.

Matthew 2:7-10

Again, Herod was focused on his earthly kingdom. If he really desired to worship the new King, he would have joined the Wise Men as they travelled the last 5 to 10 miles to Bethlehem.

He could have had an entourage put together easily. If he really cared as he said he did, he would have gone with them.

The Wise Men submitted their time, energy and security.

Historians believe the minimum caravan travel would have been 50-60 days (two months), but others say 2-4 months, and others still state 14-16 months (over a year) depending on how far East these men travelled from.

These men sacrificed their comforts long before hitting Jerusalem. What were another 5 to 10 miles to them?

Herod was lying!

11 And going into the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh. 12 And being warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed to their own country by another way. 13 Now when they had departed, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, “Rise, take the child and his mother, and flee to Egypt, and remain there until I tell you, for Herod is about to search for the child, to destroy him.”

Matthew 2:11-13

As we suspect as the account unfolds, Herod’s lack of preparation was related to his heart condition. He was full of pride and greed, self-observed with his earthly kingdom.

And now his true intentions are revealed!

Later in Matthew 2, you can read about the depth of evil in Herod’s heart, as he makes preparations to murder every child under the age of two years old. All of these children would die for the sole purpose that he might eliminate the Child-King.

The Wise Men worshipped the Child-King!

They had spent all those years studying, preparing, travelling, sacrificing and submitting everything for this quest. It has all led them to this moment!

As they fell down and worshipped the Christ-Child, they also bestow their gifts before Him. Clearly, their hearts are full of humility and generosity, still ever-focused on God’s eternal Kingdom, where the King of Kings and Lord of Lords will reign forever!