Today's Verse: Matthew 2:4-6

Saturday, December 13, 2014

When King Herod had called together all the people's chief priests and teachers of the law, he asked them where the Christ 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 the least among the rulers of Judah; for out of you will come a ruler who will be the shepherd of my people Israel.'"
— Matthew 2:4-6

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

"The first will be last and the last will be first." That's one of Jesus' favorite sayings. Isn't it interesting that God said it long before Jesus was born. Isn't it interesting that those who knew the Scriptures, but didn't know Jesus, said it too! Isn't it interesting that Herod and Jesus lived it thirty years before Jesus would teach it? Isn't it interesting that the Jesus gave us the Lord's Supper to remember that while Jesus died and shed his blood, on the first day of the week, Sunday, he rose. When it matters most, Jesus and his people will finish first!

My Prayer...

You, O Lord, are marvelous. You are God Almighty, the holy and majestic Creator. Yet you became the least so I can share in your glory. Please help me, O God, never to look down on someone else because they look like the least. I know, Father, that as I serve and love them, I'm serving and loving you. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

Have thoughts on this devotional? Leave a comment

18 Related Resources by Heartlight

Out of Judea
Illustration of Matthew 2:4-6
Inspirational illustration of Matthew 2:4-6 -- ...for out of you will come a ruler who will be the shepherd of my people Israel.
God's Word in the Wrong Hands
Devo: What Jesus Did!
"King Herod was deeply disturbed when he heard [about the newborn king of the Jews from the wise men], as was everyone in Jerusalem. He called a..."
Matthew 2:6
Devo: Today's Verse
"[As the prophet Micah 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..."
Move Beyond the God Talk
Devo: A Year with Jesus
"Dear Partner in the Kingdom, People can speak in "God talk" and live in anti-God ways. Unfortunately, Christmas is a time when a lot of that happens...."
See All 18 Related Resources about Matthew 2:4-6

Illustration

Illustration of Matthew 2:4-6 — When King Herod had called together all the people's chief priests and teachers of the law, he asked them where the Christ 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 the least among the rulers of Judah; for out of you will come a ruler who will be the shepherd of my people Israel.'"

Other Devotionals from Heartlight for Saturday, December 13, 2014

Morning & Evening
The classic twice-daily devotional from Charles H. Spurgeon.
Evening Thought: Psalms 31:4
"Our spiritual foes are of the serpent's brood, and seek to ensnare us by subtlety. The prayer before us supposes the possibility of the believer being..."
A Year with Jesus
A devotional to help reclaim Jesus as the daily Lord of our lives.
'Riot!'
"Dear Beloved, Your world is filled with many influences that vie for the control of your heart and the practice of your faith. In the multi-cultural...."
Daily Wisdom
A daily devotional featuring wise counsel found in Scripture.
Romans 14:11
"It is written: "'As surely as I live,' says the Lord, 'every knee will bow before me; every tongue will confess to God.'""
Unstoppable!
A one-year devotional guide through the book of Acts.
'The Team Heads to Philippi' (Acts 16:9-12)
"That night [after the Spirit prevented the mission team from preaching in the province of Asia,] Paul had a vision: A man from Macedonia in northern...."

About This Devotional

Today's Verse is a free daily devotional that includes a Bible verse, thought and prayer.

The Thoughts and Prayer on Today's Verse are written by Phil Ware.

All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House.

More Today's Verse