Sunday: The Wise Men — Matthew 2:1-6
One of the unexpected themes in this passage is that men who were not Jewish were searching for the King of the Jews. Anyone could have looked up into the sky and seen the bright star. Yet, it was the “wise men from the East” (v. 1) who followed it desiring to seek out the newborn King to worship Him. The Jewish religious leaders were also fully aware of the prophecies about the Messiah, yet none of them were looking for Jesus (John 1:11). What a challenge this gives to us, God’s people: are we diligently seeking after Jesus? One popular bumper sticker says: Wise men still seek Him!
Monday: King Herod — Matthew 2:7-12
King Herod was another non-Jewish person who was looking for Jesus. Although, his reasons were the exact opposite of the wise men’s. Herod claimed to the wise men that he also wanted to worship the young child. He sent the wise men on their way with instructions to let him know when they find the child. Herod’s true motivations became clear when the wise men didn’t return with the information and Herod ordered every young male toddler killed.
Tuesday: Into Egypt — Matthew 2:13-18
The passage, “out of Egypt I called My son,” comes from Hosea 11:1. As with so many things in the Bible, this passage has a dual interpretation: both natural and spiritual. In Hosea the passage is referring to God calling His people out of captivity under Moses’ leadership. Even after the Israelites–the children of God–were free they served Baalim, rather than God. In spiritual terms, Egypt represents the world, leading to the interpretation that Jesus–God’s Son–was also human (from the world) and yet was perfectly obedient to God in all ways.
Wednesday: Nazareth — Matthew 2:19-23
Nazareth was a small town in rural Galilee. It was backward and less sophisticated than big cities like Jerusalem. In John 1:46 it’s asked if anything good can come out of Nazareth. This is because of its reputation. To be accused of being from “Nazareth” was equivalent to being accused of being unrighteous, or evil. Jesus was called a Nazarene in fulfillment of the prophecies in Psalm 69:19, Isaiah 11 and Isaiah 53. Along with His birth at Bethlehem, this evidence showed the Jews that Jesus was the Messiah.
Thursday: Lost in Jerusalem? — Luke 2:40-45
When Jesus was 12 years old, his parents took him to Jerusalem to the Passover Feast. When they left, His parents discovered Jesus wasn’t amongst the travelers. Thinking he was lost, they searched and found him at the temple. Jesus wasn’t lost: He was exactly where He was supposed to be.
Friday: In My Father’s House — Luke 2:46-50
Jesus asks, “Didn’t you know I’d be in my Father’s house?” This phrase was especially amazing because it showed personal intimacy with His heavenly Father. It was considered blasphemy to refer to Jehovah in such a manner (see John 10:29-39), yet here Jesus was boldly claiming His heavenly birthright. What a beautiful foreshadowing that Jesus was missing for 3 days, the length of His burial in the tomb.
Saturday: Adolescence — Luke 2:51-52
Submission can be difficult, especially when we are wiser or smarter or more spiritual than the person in authority. It may be hard, but it is also a necessary principal of God. God uses those times to work in our lives. Submitting to His parents was necessary for Jesus, as well. He had to wait on His ministry and learn, grow and prepare Himself for it. For three and a half years of ministry, Jesus prepared approximately 30 years.