Friday, December 10, 2010

The Real Thing

Matthew 2:3-8 (New International Version, ©2010)


3 When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him. 4 When he had called together all the people’s chief priests and teachers of the law, he asked them where the Messiah was to be born. 5 “In Bethlehem in Judea,” they replied, “for this is what the prophet has written:  6 “‘But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for out of you will come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel.’"  7 Then Herod called the Magi secretly and found out from them the exact time the star had appeared. 8 He sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search carefully for the child. As soon as you find him, report to me, so that I too may go and worship him.”

Those "Wise Men" we talked about yesterday were inquiring around as to where the child was.  When King Herod found out that they were seeking the one "who has been born King of the Jews" he went into panic mode.  All of a sudden his "kingship" was threatened - by a baby no less!  He devised a plan to use these wise men to find out where the child was so he could have him killed.  He pretended that he wanted to find him so that he could worship him too.

I wonder how many people attend church on Sunday morning "pretending" to worship.  How many are there because it is the "social" thing to do or because it is the "right" thing to do?  Authentic (REAL) worship comes from a heart that loves God and wants to praise Him.  We should prepare our hearts and minds before we enter God's house by focusing on Him - the REAL DEAL!

Prayer:  May those who are pretending to know and worship You find You in their hearts and may we be authentic Christians in our world.

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