A SERIES OF DEVOTIONS BASED ON THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MATTHEW 

GOD’S WORD POINTS THE WAY      

Matthew 2:3-6 “When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him. 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. “In Bethlehem in Judea,” they replied, “for this is what the prophet has written: “ ‘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.’” 

Herod had no idea what to tell the Magi as to where this baby might be found. Since the one for whom they were looking was supposed to be the King of the Jews, Herod turned to the chief priests and teachers of the law to see if they had the answer. And they did! They found these words in the Prophet Micah: “ ‘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.’” (Micah 5:2)   

For several thousand years God had been telling the Jews He would send them a Savior from sin. The family line from which the Savior would come was written about in the Holy scriptures. Old Testament scholars knew that Jesus would be from the family line of David and they knew that Micah had written Jesus would be born in Bethlehem. So, the chief priests and scribes knew the answer to the Magi’s question as to where they would find the new born king and gave that information to Herod. 

Today’s devotional thought is one you might not immediately believe answered the question posed by the Magi. However, God’s word did point the way for them. The chief priests and scribes were correct in giving them Bethlehem as the place where they would find the new born king of the Jews. Micah’s words pointed them in the right direction.   

As Micah’s words pointed the Magi to Jesus so God’s word points you to Him also. They point you not only to where He was born but also that He is God’s Son, sent to take away your sins and the sins of the world. They point out to you that God out of His underserved love for you sent Jesus to earn for you eternal life and salvation. God’s word points out to you that Jesus is the way for you to truth, life and into the presence of your heavenly Father. 

Prayer: Thank you, Heavenly Father, for the word of the Holy Scriptures that point us to Jesus as our Savior and Lord. Amen. 

Almighty God, Your Word is cast  
Like seed into the ground;  
Now let the dew of heav’n descend  
And righteous fruits abound. 

Let not the sly satanic foe  
This holy seed remove,  
But give it root in ev’ry heart   
To bring forth fruits of love. 

Let not the world’s deceitful cares  
The rising plant destroy,  
But let it yield a hundredfold  
The fruits of peace and joy. 

So when the precious seed is sown,   
Life giving grace bestow  
That all whose souls the truth receive   
Its saving pow’r may know.  (LSB 577)