Black magic leading to death, stealing property, causing God’s judgment on others, starting a revolt…these are some of the charges that have been leveled against the believers here in the last 6 weeks .
Though untrue these accusations have been damaging and at times has hindered the teaching and the meeting together. I think that is why they could relate to the 3rd response to the Christ in Matthew 2. As we met together yesterday for our believers’ Christmas party and we studied through Matthew 2, the first two responses also hit home.
1: The wise men pursued the Christ. They gave of their time, energy, and money. They left their homeland, their family, and their comforts. They pursued Christ with all they had.
2: The chief priests and teachers of the law ignored the Christ. They knew the truth, the prophecies, and the location. They were literally just a few miles from the Messiah they had been awaiting for thousands of years, but they did nothing about it. They stayed in comfortable Jerusalem with their secure jobs and their high status as council to the king. Though they knew the truth, the things of this world meant more.
3: The king, Herod, rejected the Christ. In fact, he lied, tried to destroy the “new King,” and ended up hurting many others who had been near the Christ. His center was himself and his opposition was the truth sent from God.
We had a great time yesterday playing games with the kids, eating together, and visiting. But as we studied God’s Word together, I challenged them that their response to the Christ would be like the wise men. Pursue Him to know Him and worship Him with that which is most dear to us our time, energy, and money. And so I challenge you.
Some of those accusations against the believers here have been cleared up, but I know that more will come by those who reject the truth. The wise men’s journey had its struggles, but the pursuit of the Christ was worth it.
“I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings,” – Philippians 3:10
Aaron Fact – There is no Santa Claus here and no stockings or coal. But I did overhear a parent telling his child that if he didn’t stop crying instead of getting a candy for Christmas the “white missionary man” would beat him.