December 26, 2022

Matthew 2: 1, 2 (NIV)

After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea . . . Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him.”

Is it so difficult to believe in God when all history is alive with His presence?*

I tend to think of ancient history only in terms of the Old Testament – as if there was nothing going on in any other part of the world until the birth of Jesus. In my mind, God’s involvement with mankind was limited to the people of the Bible. In reality, although the Jews were usually surrounded by pagan nations who had never entertained the notion of only one God, the Bible gives us peeks into the possibility that God may have had a relationship with other cultures and nations.

In Genesis 14, there is an intriguing encounter between Abram (Abraham) and a mysterious figure named Melchizedek who is described as “priest of the God Most High.” There is lots of speculation about his identity and purpose (read more about him in Psalm 110: 4; and in Hebrews, chapters five, six and seven), but the facts are: he was real; he was not a Jew (no one was a Jew, yet); and he worshipped the same God that Abram worshipped.

Moving on to the New Testament, we find this group of wise men from somewhere east of Jerusalem, who were aware of the prophecies concerning the Messiah – who in fact knew enough to read the signs, and had enough faith to follow where they led. They weren’t Jews, either. It is ironic that they had better comprehension of the prophecies than the people to whom they were given.

The Nation of Israel may have enjoyed “chosen people” status, but these stories – and others – underscore the fact that Jesus came for all people, not just the Jews.* We – Jews and Gentiles - become God’s chosen people today by accepting Jesus as Lord and Savior and becoming part of a new kingdom. 

Citizenship in the new kingdom is not a right of birth or privilege but is granted to those who pass the entrance exam – Wait! That’s not how it works! There is no test. Our naturalization documents have been signed by the blood of Jesus. Through him, we have all the rights and privileges – and responsibilities - of a natural-born citizen.

Centuries before it was popular to be inclusive, Jesus started a church in which everyone has equal standing.*