Wednesday, December 21

Matthew 2:1-6

Fran Ferguson

In these verses, wise men from the East arrive in Israel’s capital, looking for the new king of the Jews. For months, they have followed a spectacular star that none in Israel had noticed. Herod, Rome’s appointed ruler over Israel, is taken by surprise—and feels threatened! Where is this new king?

Herod looks to the Jewish priests and scholars for the answer, found in the words of the prophet Micah:

“Bethlehem … from you shall come forth for me one who is to rule in Israel… And he shall stand and feed his flock… And they will live secure, for now he shall be great to the ends of the earth; and he shall be the one of peace.” (Micah 5: 2-5a)

Who were these who came from the East to kneel down before Israel’s new king? We know little about them, but certainly they weren’t Jewish, in faith, culture or ethnicity. This was not ‘their’ Messiah.

In Micah’s day, all were wary of visitors from the East: they didn’t come in peace. The Jews lived in fear of the great Eastern empires, which eventually destroyed Jerusalem and its Temple, pirating away the Temple’s treasures—and many of its citizens.

After this history of oppression, who is this Jewish king whose birth draws these non-Jews to worship Him? He is the “one of peace” who is to rule over all the earth! His peace is freedom from oppression, yes, but it’s more. Micah’s message was one of social justice. The Messiah he anticipated would bring the peace that comes from needs met, and from meeting the needs of others.

Father God, those who are hungry, those who are threatened, and those who put their own wants and needs ahead of the needs of others have no peace. Help us to follow Jesus our King, so that we may become agents of peace—and have peace—in this world. Amen.