Matthew 1 & 2
Beginning the first Gospel of the New Testament – I love starting a new book. Particularly the Gospels. It is an opportunity to come afresh to the story of Jesus. Matthew’s Gospel makes the links with the Old Testament, showing that this ‘new’ thing that God is doing in Jesus Christ is part of a patient, eternal and wonderful plan. This in fact is what jumped out at me from the first two chapters – the contrast between God’s way and Human’s way. God is patient, eternal, empowering and limitless while man’s plans are fleeting, immediate, power protecting and limited. Herod thinks he can manipulate God’s intention but all he does is inflict suffering and his plan dies when he dies. God’s plan endures forever.
My reflection and self-challenge is to try and see/participate in God’s unfolding plan – for my part is so small but in God it becomes part of something so huge. The three wisemen had such a small part, in one sense, but they have shown us what participation in God’s plan looks like – they looked – they followed – they listened – they obeyed. This is a good way for us to join in with God’s BIG plans – search for God – follow God’s way – listen to God’s whispers and dreams and then obey. [Prayer - LORD may I be wise as were the wisemen. AMEN]
