What Jesus Did! 'Of Deceit and Joy' — Matthew 2:7-10

Sunday, January 10, 2021

Merry Christmas!

We pray the Lord blesses you with the grace of Jesus' presence this Christmas!

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[After learning that the king of the Jews was to be born in Bethlehem,] Herod called for a private meeting with the wise men, and he learned from them the time when the star first appeared. Then he told them, "Go to Bethlehem and search carefully for the child. And when you find him, come back and tell me so that I can go and worship him, too!"

After this interview the wise men went their way. 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. When they saw the star, they were filled with joy!

— Matthew 2:7-10 NLT

Key Thought

Herod is that great reminder of Satan's design for us: Satan is a liar and murderer and has been since the beginning! (See John 8:44.) Under the pretense of worship, Herod seeks to eliminate God's choice for the throne Herod thinks he himself occupies. Satan so blinded Herod that he even uses the truth of prophetic Scripture to locate and try to kill God's chosen Messiah — as the subsequent verses show. Thwarted only because of God's timing and will, Herod is a prototype of Judas, who will betray the Lord for another type of personal gain. A question we need to ask ourselves is this: How many times have I betrayed the Lord for nothing?

Today's Prayer

Holy and Righteous Father, in the power of Jesus' name, please drive the influence of Satan's deceptions from my mind and heart. Give me the ability to see your truth and be protected from Satan's schemes to destroy me, my faith, and those I love. In Jesus' powerful name, I pray. Amen.

Related Scripture Readings

  • Zephaniah 2:11
  • Revelation 4:9-11
  • Acts 18:13-20

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Illustration

Illustration of Matthew 2:7-10 NLT — "Go to Bethlehem and search carefully for the child. And when you find him, come back and tell me so that I can go and worship him, too!"

About This Devotional

What Jesus Did! is a series of one-year devotional guides through each gospel, using one short scripture passage each day and following the Gospel in sequential order. Each devotional consists of a scripture passage and a reflection and a prayer which open up the day's scripture and show how it challenges you to live for Jesus.

What Jesus Did! is written by Phil Ware and is available in book form.

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

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