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Week:01, Season:1,
2013
Posted on Saturday by PCT
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Avenue of Stars
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Scripture：《
Matthew 2:1-12
》
2：1 Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, 2 Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him. 3 When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. 4 And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he demanded of them where Christ should be born. 5 And they said unto him, In Bethlehem of Judaea: for thus it is written by the prophet, 6 And thou Bethlehem, in the land of Juda, art not the least among the princes of Juda: for out of thee shall come a Governor, that shall rule my people Israel. 7 Then Herod, when he had privily called the wise men, enquired of them diligently what time the star appeared. 8 And he sent them to Bethlehem, and said, Go and search diligently for the young child; and when ye have found him, bring me word again, that I may come and worship him also. 9 When they had heard the king, they departed; and, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was. 10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy. 11 And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense and myrrh. 12 And being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way.
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After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem 2 and asked, ‘Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.’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.’9 After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen when it rose went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. 10 When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. 11 On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshipped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. 12 And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route.
Fans of stars
Since 2007, a new type of singing competition has become the most popular TV programmes of the major media channels. These programmes have created super stars in a very short time with their images broadcast on big screens in every street. Many young people begin to dream of the “super star dream” strongly attracted by TV performance, glamourous stage lighting, the crowds’ applause and large amount of prize money for the winners. They desperately want to become stars of tomorrow. Suddenly “singing” becomes the interest of many students and it becomes their goal to win the title of champion singer. In addition, many people soon become fans of these star singers under the powerful influence of media broadcasts. They follow and talk about news of the star singers all day long and everyone seems able to name all of the singers. The star singers soon also become celebrity endorsements and create huge commercial opportunities and promote a sharp increase in the growth of sales.
However, there is nothing new under the sun. After few years the cult of following these star singers gradually disappears and people change their focus to another type of star: the sport stars. But generally speaking the effects of following stars and their news is always able to occupy the minds of young people. These effects stimulate the nerves of the Taiwanese people and the brains of businessmen.
Riders tracing the star
In the Bible verses we read today from Matthew chapter 2, a group of unique and ancient fans of stars are recorded. They were Magi from the east. The object they were tracing was not stars created by the media or businessmen but the star made by God; the “inspiring star” which enclosed the mystery of faith. The background of these fans of stars is special. In the Bible they are called “wise men” because they are professionals in astronomy, astrology and other kind of knowledge. In some translations they are called Magi which contain the meaning of astrologers (masters). In Judaism, astrology and idol worship were strictly banned by the Law of Moses. Therefore, these three wise men could not be Jewish. It is highly possible that they were senior priests from ancient Persian. Another statement suggests that they are three kings from the east. No matter which story is true, the focus in the Bible is not to explore their identity but what they saw when they studied the movements of the stars. What intrigued them to travel thousands of miles to Bethlehem and made them find and worship the new born baby? Furthermore, they even offered the best gifts they brought to show their highest respect to this baby!
The mystery of the star
In the Christian calendar, the 6th of January is traditionally the “Epiphany.” It is the feast day to celebrate the revelation of God the Son as a human being in Jesus Christ to the foreigners (the wise men from the East). It is no doubt that you and I are “foreigners” and Epiphany thus is an important day for us.
There are two significant meanings of Epiphany: firstly, it shows that God uses the star (inspiration), words of the prophets (the Bible), Jewish priest and the teacher of the law (tradition) to reveal the great mission of salvation (the birth of Jesus Christ as a human being). Secondly, it tells how humans respond to God. We can see that the responses of the wise men (the foreigners), King Herod (the ruler), and people in Jerusalem (Judaism) are all different. It also shows us how in peoples’ responses, God defines each of their destinies.
The birth of Jesus did not happen as casual event. His coming to this world as a human being was part of the plan of God. It was also the result of the people of God waiting a long time. Somehow when people heard of this plan, they responded in three different ways: 1. the senior priests from the foreign country, the Magi, immediately dropped their normal works and travelled a long way to worship the king and offered precious gifts; 2. The highest ruler of the Jews, the Herod, worried about his kingship and pretended that he wanted to worship this new born king but privately planned something else; 3. The Jewish believers in Jerusalem: God had made everything work together for them but they had no idea what was going to happen and did not intend to take any action regarding God’s plan for them. If you were one of them, how would you respond to God at Epiphany?
Walking on the avenue of stars
The tradition of Epiphany for believers in the Orthodox faith is that the priests throw a wooden cross into the frozen lake. The first person who jumps into the lake and finds the cross will receive blessing and protection from God to honour this person’s reverent boldness. Thank God that Christians in Taiwan do not have to pass this test to show their respect to God. Are we willing to be the “first” one in our family to worship God in the morning? to be the first one entering the church to worship God? to be the first one who actively provides service to the community?
The wise men coming from the East without names travelled a long way and spent a long time to search for the Christ who inspires the stars and all prophets. After they have completed this pilgrimage and offered the best presents to Jesus, they received the great joy of life. Amazingly, God reveals to them not through stars anymore but through dreams to indicate the way they need to follow. God also keeps their beautiful footprints in the Bible.
Are we willing to have the same wisdom and vision as the wise men from ancient times had? Are we willing to stop our busyness to take a step forward, to worship and offer ourselves to participate in the amazing work done by our creator? Are we willing to do this only for the King of kings, Lord of lords, the almighty and everlasting sovereign──Jesus Christ?
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For discussion：
1. Please share the ways in which you show your respect to the King of kings?
2. Please talk about the kind of presents you would like to offer to the King of kings?
Please pray for：
1. For every person in Taiwan to see the star light shining for God ── Jesus Christ in this whole new year.
2. Pray for those who do not believe in God. May they respond to Jesus with sincerity and obedience.
Prayer：
Lord God, the creator of stars, we praise your amazing work and your amazing grace. As a sinner, I deeply know that the incarnate Christ comes to save all people. May you accept my sincere worship; may you accept my unselfish offering. Please help me to be the first one to come closer to you, to worship you and to offer myself to you. In the name of Christ, Amen.
Something you can do：
1. Set your alarm half hour earlier to wake up and determine your heart to learn from the heart of the three wise men from the East.
2. Keep your answers from the discussions and put it in your Bible. Make them goals to follow this year.
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