I WANT IT MY WAY!
- Key Verse
When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. (Matthew 2:3)
READ TODAY'S PASSAGE-
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Central Truth
We cannot ignore that Jesus came into this world for us. He came to give us life and fulfillment and died to save us. Our own way is not “The Way.”
Reflections
The arrival of such men in Jerusalem asking questions about a royal birth and speaking of a “King of the Jews” would soon become known to Herod’s informers. When the bloodthirsty Herod heard the news of the possible birth of a young king important enough to be heralded by a star and bearing a title that Herod saw as his, he was worried.
Jerusalem would be troubled along with him. Some were worried because they knew that they would lose out if Herod were replaced; others because they feared the way in which such news might cause Herod to behave. It is apparent that Jesus was not received enthusiastically by the inhabitants of Jerusalem. And later, it is the people of Jerusalem who will shout to condemn Him. They did not want to upset the status quo, except in their favor.
I love to have things “my way.” I think that I would really be good at determining what I want and how my life should be. It would be a great life just to do a board sport all day and Facebook or Ichat all night, hanging with my friends.
The people in Jerusalem did not want to believe that their King was arriving because it did not fit the way they thought it should happen, and they did not want their lives changed. They wanted it their way!
Jesus came to teach God’s Word, and we all need to listen. I know that life is not meant to be based on my ways but on His ways, and it really is impossible to ignore!
I am often like the “wise” men of Israel, who were too engrossed in their own rules to allow themselves to seek out the One who is the fulfillment of those rules.
Discussion Questions
1. In what areas of your life are you doing things "your way"?
2. Do you think your way is better?
3. What steps can you take to see how your way may not be the most fulfilling?
FAMILY DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
1. What did we learn about King Herod? How did he feel about Jesus?
2. What lie did King Herod tell (verse 8)?
3. How did God protect Jesus from King Herod (verse 12)?
4. Do you ever lie to get what you want? What can you do to fight the temptations to lie?
Tracy Watson
January 5, 2010 07:39 AM
Excellent job, Matt. I enjoyed reading your devotional and pondering how much I really do want my way. Thanks for starting my day thinking about His Way!
Melody Phillips
January 5, 2010 07:44 AM
Great job, Matt! Thanks for reminding me to stop trying to do things my way and seek the One who is the fulfillment of all things.
Jeff Ward
January 5, 2010 08:15 AM
This morning I wrestled with why all the attention that Matthew places on the story of the pagan astrologers that came to honor someone they thought was an earthly king - who traveled so far, at such great expense, with likely little to no understanding of who Jesus really was? This passage provides such detail about this story and surely God must have known that we'd have millions of nativity displays depicting the scene of these guys bowing to Jesus... so there must be a lesson here. It is remarkable that Herod, who called himself the "King of the Jews" and the entirety of the religious leaders and experts in the law, who had access to the written Word of God and the prophecies concerning the Messiah missed what these pagan magicians got - that something special had happened…that a child had been born, who would lead the Jews. So, they missed the "spiritual" event that had occurred. God's people - the same ones that worshiped God devoutly each day - also missed the bright display of a "star" in their sky (right over their heads). Amazingly, they failed to take note of something in the "physical" realm too that should have caught their attention. Basically, God's people lacked sensitivity to the most defining and amazing work of God that had ever happened - and which happened right in their midst. However, as I felt myself begin to judge these folks for their spiritual "haze, " God gently reminded me of the many times in my life where he has hit me upside the head with a spiritual brick - providing some spiritual insight, perspective, or reminder of His goodness, through people, who in my pride and self-righteousness, I considered less "spiritual" - even at times through (gasp) non- believers. What a reminder to be sensitive to the amazing things that God is doing right here in our midst and to pray for eyes and ears that are able to discern all that God is doing in order to give him the honor and praise.
Jan
January 5, 2010 09:35 AM
Hey Matt, Great devo from one who likes it her way. I'm a slow learner, but I can see my way hasn't worked out too well, and I know the Lord's way is best for me even when it doesn't seem like it's going to give me what I want. I know at the very end letting Him change what I want is the avenue I want to be on. Thanks for the reminder, and it's been fun getting to know you better in community.
Bob Lamkin
January 5, 2010 09:46 AM
Way to go Matt! Its good to know that His ways are not only the right ways but the very best ways!
Will
January 5, 2010 09:58 AM
Matt, thanks for the devotional - a good reminder that in all of us is a Herod. The flesh often rises up against that and those which may dethrone us, especially God, though he comes with blessing. May we see Christ for who he is - one that came to give us life, and life abundant!
Greg
January 5, 2010 11:38 AM
You are so right on Matt his ways are so much better than our ways, pray that I will take the time to listen to his ways plus his ways are heavenly ways which are the enternal ways :)
David
January 5, 2010 11:44 AM
Matt! Your words were encouragement to me today, as well as a reminder of how I was! You title, was my song, before I came and met and fell in love with the King! I am so grateful I did! In fact, I am ETERNALLY GRATEFUL! Good words today! Thank you for the reminder to stay HUMBLE!
Marc Bellah
January 5, 2010 01:40 PM
I went a long time foolishly believing the prideful, relative idea that my way was the better way. But God graciously, as Mr. Ward so aptly put it, "hit me upside the head with a spiritual brick." Now, by writing His Word on my heart and striving daily to live out His will for my life, I can rejoice in Him - finding strength in the absolute truth which shows me that He alone is the way, the best way, the only way. Thanks for the devo Matt that speaks to that absolute truth. Keep on!
jo tiller
January 5, 2010 05:57 PM
hi matt..thank you for the wisdom in this devotional today ..you must do alot of great thinking on those boards of yours....isn't it curious how often we want it our when it is so limiting compared to His way that offer richness beyond gold...
Paul Rutherford
January 6, 2010 06:12 PM
Matt, thanks for the insight into selfishness. I have never read that passage in that way before. Thanks for a fresh perspective.