Stress Test Devotional May 4
May 04, 2024
MATTHEW 2:1-6 | In the time of King Herod, after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, asking, “Where is the child who has been born king of the Jews? For we observed his star at its rising, and have come to pay him homage.” When King Herod heard this, he was frightened, and all Jerusalem with him; and calling together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Messiah was to be born. They told him, “In Bethlehem of Judea; for so it has been written by the prophet: ‘And you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for from you shall come a ruler who is to shepherd my people Israel.’”
The wise men, or magi, went immediately to Jerusalem and began to ask for directions. The wise way is open to other’s wisdom. Sometimes our own wisdom is our worst enemy. Why? Because we become so certain of our direction that we stop inquiring. Rather than leveraging other people’s knowledge and benefiting from their expertise, we close ourselves off, assuming our own understanding is sufficient. Every expert must remain a learner. Every teacher a student. Jewish Scripture scholars unearthed a prophecy that the wise men did not know, and identified Bethlehem as the birthplace of the Messiah. Without this local knowledge, the trip might have been wasted. A moving star can locate a region, but not a location. Wise men, and wise women, consult.
Are you a learner in your life?
Whom do you consult as you move along your journey?
