Waseempastor Akram

2025-12-20 22:53:32 -

Arrows of Faith
Matthew 2:4-6 TLB
He called a meeting of the Jewish religious leaders. “Did the prophets tell us where the Messiah would be born?” he asked. 5 “Yes, in Bethlehem,” they said, “for this is what the prophet Micah wrote: 6 ‘O little town of Bethlehem, you are not just an unimportant Judean village, for a Governor shall rise from you to rule my people Israel.’”

These are the words of Herod, an enemy of Jesus from the cradle. He was a King put in place to rule over the Jews in this province of Rome–not a true Jew, because he would’ve known what he was asking the prophets about. This was after the Maji (or wise men) from the East had arrived in Jerusalem, announcing that they were following a Star that in their estimation was a signal to the arrival of a King being born in the region. A King who would be very significant in history and therefore had celestial support in his announcement. Herod heard what these Maji had said and secretly panicked, and that panic led to him summoning the prophets in his court to find out from them what they knew about the veracity of these men’s claims. There are still wise men seeking the King, and there are still Herods who are intimidated by the fact that there is a real King, with real authority and with dominion whose kingdom overshadows the fiefdom that Herod had. Jesus is a King and He has come to dethrone all illegitimate kings in our life–all Herods must go.

Summary Thought:
Matthew 2:4-6 (TLB) describes how the Jewish religious leaders provided accurate scriptural knowledge about the Messiah's birthplace to King Herod, yet remained personally uninvested in seeking or worshiping Him themselves. This highlights a key contrast between head knowledge of prophecy and heart-felt faith. The chief priests and scribes were the biblical experts of their day, able to immediately and correctly quote the prophecy from Micah 5:2. They possessed the correct information about the Messiah's coming but were indifferent to the news of His actual arrival. Their knowledge was academic, a "dead faith" that did not translate into action or worship. Do you have the right information, but have offered the wrong response? We, today, have more biblical resources and knowledge than the original twelve that followed Jesus, but we have far less faith in the knowledge that those resources provide, and it is an indictment of our faith and not the truth of Jesus.

Action Steps:
The passage emphasizes a stark contrast. The Magi (Gentiles) traveled great distances, followed a star, and were filled with joy, humility, and worship. Herod, a political ruler, was "troubled" and sought to destroy the new king out of fear for his own power, demonstrating hostility and suspicion. The Religious Leaders (Jews) remained in Jerusalem, gave the correct information, but did not go the short distance (about six miles) to Bethlehem to see the newborn Savior for themselves, demonstrating apathy. The passage serves as a warning against having head knowledge of God's word without a corresponding personal relationship and obedient response. The wise men's proactive search and worship contrast with the religious leaders' passive, uncommitted attitude. In short, the religious leaders had the key to scripture, but the Gentile Magi were the ones who truly sought and found the King, demonstrating that genuine faith involves both knowing the truth and acting upon it.

Arrows of Faith Matthew 2:4-6 TLB He called a meeting of the Jewish religious leaders. “Did the prophets tell us where the Messiah would be born?” he asked. 5 “Yes, in Bethlehem,” they said, “for this is what the prophet Micah wrote: 6 ‘O little town of Bethlehem, you are not just an unimportant Judean village, for a Governor shall rise from you to rule my people Israel.’” These are the words of Herod, an enemy of Jesus from the cradle. He was a King put in place to rule over the Jews in this province of Rome–not a true Jew, because he would’ve known what he was asking the prophets about. This was after the Maji (or wise men) from the East had arrived in Jerusalem, announcing that they were following a Star that in their estimation was a signal to the arrival of a King being born in the region. A King who would be very significant in history and therefore had celestial support in his announcement. Herod heard what these Maji had said and secretly panicked, and that panic led to him summoning the prophets in his court to find out from them what they knew about the veracity of these men’s claims. There are still wise men seeking the King, and there are still Herods who are intimidated by the fact that there is a real King, with real authority and with dominion whose kingdom overshadows the fiefdom that Herod had. Jesus is a King and He has come to dethrone all illegitimate kings in our life–all Herods must go. Summary Thought: Matthew 2:4-6 (TLB) describes how the Jewish religious leaders provided accurate scriptural knowledge about the Messiah's birthplace to King Herod, yet remained personally uninvested in seeking or worshiping Him themselves. This highlights a key contrast between head knowledge of prophecy and heart-felt faith. The chief priests and scribes were the biblical experts of their day, able to immediately and correctly quote the prophecy from Micah 5:2. They possessed the correct information about the Messiah's coming but were indifferent to the news of His actual arrival. Their knowledge was academic, a "dead faith" that did not translate into action or worship. Do you have the right information, but have offered the wrong response? We, today, have more biblical resources and knowledge than the original twelve that followed Jesus, but we have far less faith in the knowledge that those resources provide, and it is an indictment of our faith and not the truth of Jesus. Action Steps: The passage emphasizes a stark contrast. The Magi (Gentiles) traveled great distances, followed a star, and were filled with joy, humility, and worship. Herod, a political ruler, was "troubled" and sought to destroy the new king out of fear for his own power, demonstrating hostility and suspicion. The Religious Leaders (Jews) remained in Jerusalem, gave the correct information, but did not go the short distance (about six miles) to Bethlehem to see the newborn Savior for themselves, demonstrating apathy. The passage serves as a warning against having head knowledge of God's word without a corresponding personal relationship and obedient response. The wise men's proactive search and worship contrast with the religious leaders' passive, uncommitted attitude. In short, the religious leaders had the key to scripture, but the Gentile Magi were the ones who truly sought and found the King, demonstrating that genuine faith involves both knowing the truth and acting upon it.

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