Scripture

And the star they had seen in the east guided them to Bethlehem. It went ahead of them and stopped over the place where the child was.

Observation

Jesus was born in Bethlehem during the reign of King Herod. Some wise men or Magi arrive in Jerusalem asking to see the newborn King of the Jews.

Herod is disturbed by this, so he calls together his advisors and asks them where the Messiah is to be born. “In Bethlehem,” they reply.

Herod tells the wise men that the King is in Bethlehem. He tells them to return and tell him exactly where they find him so that he too can worship the child.

So the wise men go to Bethlehem where they worship Jesus. They bring gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. When they leave, they go a different way as God warns them in a dream not to return to Herod.

Application

Even as a baby, Jesus is a threat to established power interests and rulers.

He presents all people- kings and priests, shepherds and carpenters- with a choice. Will you worship Him or reject Him? Will you receive His promise of eternity or banish Him from your life?

The choice is still there for each of us to make daily.

Prayer

Lord your kingdom is not like the kingdoms of this world. Help me to walk in the ways of your kingdom each day. Amen.

Scripture

“When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his throne in heavenly glory.”

Observation

Jesus is coming in glory and from His position on the heavenly throne He will judge all the nations.

On one side will be those who are judged to be righteous. Everything they have done for those in need they did for Jesus.

On the other side will be those who are cursed. Every deed in which they neglected the needy will be counted as if they had neglected Jesus. They will go to the eternal fire.

Application

Jesus is coming back to reign over all the nations. While the first time He came in humility- the true glory of humanity- the next time He will come in splendour- the true glory of God.

His first act will be to judge every person. The division takes place and then the verdict is handed down- sheep to the right and goats to the left.

It would be easy to read this passage as a judgement by works- good people against bad people. This judgement is on the character of the people not their deeds.

When we are born again, every act of kindness flows from a heart reconciled to Christ. For those who are far from Him every act is an act of rebellion against Christ.

Prayer

Father, thank you for saving me through your Son and with the power of your Spirit. May everything I do be a sign of my love for you. Amen.

Scripture

His master replied, “Well done good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!”

Observation

Jesus tells the parable of the talents in which a master entrusts his property to some servants, giving them respectively ten, five and two talents of money.

On his return, the master calls in his servants to settle accounts with them. He is pleased to discover that two servants have doubled the money entrusted to them. He gives them greater responsibility.

The third servant, the one entrusted with two talents, had taken the money and buried it, thus earning no return. His money is given to the servant with ten talents, and this servant is cast out.

Application

We often overlook the fact that this parable is about management of money and not about personal ability or gifting.

In Australia we have been blessed with great wealth and many resources. We need to ensure that all we do is directed towards God’s kingdom and gaining a return on His investment in us.

Too many christians are like the third servant. We are reluctant to invest ourselves and our resources into the Kingdom.

Each of us needs to find out what the Lord is requiring of us and to invest all that we are into serving His purposes.

Prayer

Father, show me where you are wanting me to invest my time, energy and money for your Kingdom. May I be found to be “good and faithful.” Amen.

Scripture

At midnight the cry rang out: “Here is the bridegroom. Come out to meet him.”

Observation
Jesus tells a parable about being ready to meet Him.

Ten young women are waiting for a bridegroom. Five have brought spare oil for their lamps, but five have no oil. The bridegroom is late arriving and when he finally does arrive, the five foolish girls have to go and obtain oil for their lamps.

The bridegroom comes while the unprepared girls are absent. The wise girls accompany the bridegroom into the banquet but the others are locked out.

Application
The foolish girls in this story failed to provide for themselves what was needed in order to serve the bridegroom.

We must all make sure that our own relationship with God is right. Oil speaks of the Holy Spirit, light of the revelation of the gospel.

Nobody can rely on the faith of another person whether it be a parent, a spouse, a pastor or some other person. We all need our own relationship with the Lord, now before He comes.

Prayer
Father I pray for those who do not know you. May they have a revelation of your love and come into their own relationship with you. Amen.

Scripture

“The greatest among you must be a servant. But those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”

Observation
Jesus tells his followers that the Pharisees and teachers of the Law are the interpreters of the Law so it is right to obey their teaching. However they are hypocrites whose example must not be followed.

The teachers love attention and adulation. They love the titles of honour.

Followers of Jesus must not chase titles and positions. Rather Christian leaders must firstly be servants. Everyone who raises themselves up will be pulled down, but those who humble themselves will be lifted up.

Application
I noted just last night how nobody in our church calls me “Pastor.” The closest we get to a title is the kids who call me “Mr Keith.”

The fact is that nobody is any more exalted than anybody else in God’s Kingdom. Sure some have leadership roles, but that does not make them any more important than the people struggling to keep their life together.

To build true community means that we all have to be in it together. Nobody gets to be the boss, at least not in the sense of making burdens for other people to carry. A true leader listens to everyone’s opinion and then sets the direction.

We share the mission. We share the burdens. We share the decisions.

Prayer
Thank you Father for the gift of community, a body of followers of Jesus who commit to love you and each other. Please help those of us charged with leadership to always stay humble and focussed on serving you. Amen.