Scripture Reading: Matthew 2:1-12
“Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, saying, ‘Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the East and have come to worship Him.’ When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him.”—Matthew 2:1-3
Nearly two years after Jesus’ birth, wise men from the east arrived in Jerusalem and inquired about one born King of the Jews. The claim of another king in the land was troubling news for King Herod. Some translations record the emotions of Herod and Jerusalem as troubled, disturbed; even frightened. However translated, Jesus disrupted the established state of affairs in Jerusalem and beyond.
Frankly, Jesus was a disruption to people’s plans and to the status quo from the very beginning. He was a disruption to the plans of Joseph and Mary when she became pregnant. The Jewish religious establishment was troubled by Jesus’ Sabbath Day healings, association with sinners, and challenges to their religious traditions. Even Jesus’ own disciples were troubled by His words (John 6:53-66) and His actions (John 11:17-32).
After Jesus’ death, burial and resurrection, the Sanhedrin was troubled by the inexplicable absence of His body. Thereafter, the entire world was disrupted as Jesus’ disciples were cited as the ones who had “turned the world upside down” (Acts 17:6). Jesus has that effect. He turns the world upside down in order to turn our lives right side up!
Isaiah 9:6 proclaimed the Messiah would be our Prince of Peace. Jesus brings peace by separating us from our spiritual status quo—our complacency with sin and evil, and compelling us to find solace in Him.
Comfortable with the status quo, Herod and Jerusalem were disturbed at the prospect of this unknown king coming to power. If you’re uncomfortable with a life of sin, anxiety and despair, let Jesus disturb your status quo. Make peace with the Prince of Peace. Only Jesus can liberate you from the bondage to sin and the status quo of despair. Only He can usher true peace and freedom into your life!
Lesson to Remember: Jesus disrupts the status quo of sin in our lives to reign as the Prince of Peace over our lives.
“Do not think that I came to bring peace on earth. I did not come to bring peace but a sword.”—Matthew 10:34
