Week 3 Advent Reading Plan

Our Read, Ponder and Act Series from our Advent Reading Plan  continues today with our reading from Matthew 2:1-8.  I have combined a couple of days reading into the one post.

 After Jesus had been born at  Bethlehem in Judaea during the reign of King Herod, suddenly some wise men came to Jerusalem from the east.  asking, 'Where is the infant king of the Jews? We saw his star as it rose and have come to do him homage.' When King Herod heard this he was perturbed, and so was the whole of Jerusalem. He called together all the chief priests and the scribes of the people, and enquired of them where the Christ was to be born. They told him, 'At Bethlehem in Judaea, for this is what the prophet wrote:

And you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, you are by no means the least among the leaders of Judah, for from you will come a leader who  will shepherd my people Israel.'

 Then Herod summoned the wise men to see him privately. He asked them the exact date on which the star had appeared  and sent them on to Bethlehem with the words, 'Go and find out all about the child, and when you have found him, let me know, so that I too may go and do him homage.'

READ:  words/phrases that struck me during my first reading were suddenly some wise men came, asking... perturbed.. he called together all the chief priests and the scribes.. summoned the wise men to see him privately... the exact date..

PONDER

there are many aspects to this reading and I have previously written a post on it. called

Gospel of Matthew Series: Chapter 2: Placing God first and facing the challenges it brings.

So I pondered just on the phrases mentioned.
It is interesting to note that the wise men appeared suddenly- they were not expected either by Herod or by chief priests and scribes or the people themselves. It is interesting to ponder how we react to sudden event.

Perturbed: Obviously Herod felt his authority was going to be challenged. He probably panicked initially but his desire for power also kicked in. He made sure that the chief priests, scribes and people heard this news- it is as though he was wanting to get as many on his side as he could. Definitely a sign of someone in authority rattled.  

However, he did not stop there- he summoned them for a private meeting. Not asked like the wise men themselves, but he summoned them and asked for exact date. Now he may have wanted to do him homage but more likely he would have been planning a defence to ensure his authority was not undermined.

ACT:

So how do we act when a situation comes upon us unexpectedly.? Are we thrown off course or do we feel possibly even threatened. Many people cannot cope with change- some take more time than others but adjust. Some remain fixed. How would we have felt if we were Herod?
 We are told that Herod was perturbed- meaning that he was confused, worried and anxious.  How do we act when we are confused, anxious and worried?  How does that compare to when we are free from worry or anxiety?  What are motives as we try to establish an even keel? Are we like Herod and become demanding when we are under stress.

Notice too the contrast of Herod's anxiety with the wise men's calmness. It is as though they were not surprised by Herod's reaction.