We’re been exploring the contrast between the Magi and the Priests and Scribes who advise King Herod.  The priests and scribes, the insiders, do nothing, and give nothing to the Messiah they have supposedly studied in depth.

While Magi, the outsiders and travellers, do something and give their gifts of treasure and worship, and make great sacrifices to do so.

None of us here are as powerful as Herod, as knowledgeable as the Magi or Scribes and Pharisees, but as you can see it’s not just about knowledge, it’s about our openness to God acting in our world, even in unexpected ways, that really matters.

We have something to learn from the contrast between the Priests and Scribes and the Magi.  Given the same knowledge and experience, the Magi and Priests use it very differently.  So we, given knowledge in this world, also have choices as to how we will use them.

We are given the knowledge that the message of Jesus Christ will change the lives of our family and friends for the better.  He will transform our world from one ruled over by fear and manipulation to one ruled over by love and peace.

What will we do with it?

Like the priests and scribes, will we have all the info, and do nothing?

Or like the Magi, will we go to all possible lengths to worship this God, giving him our very best gifts?

Giving of our time, resources and even our power, to greet him as our Lord.

So today, with the same history presented to us, we decide how we will go down in history…as knowing much but doing nothing, or as worshipping the true King of love and peace.

Challenge: Explore Jesus this coming year – take c101, get in touch with me.  In the process,s you can see if Christian faith is wise, rational, etc. for yourself.

Reminder: We are reading the Bible in sync as one community – so check out today’s reading here.

Reminder: The best way to grow spiritually this year is to join our Christianity 101 in the Cafe Course in Pickering starting January 22nd. Register for you and a friend today!

Read the Bible in Sync Today

Ryan Sim - June 2, 2014

Monday - A New Idea - Pioneer Preaching

Last week, I noticed my phone shaking, and tried to answer, didn’t get there in time. I check the voicemail shortly after, and it was a reporter from the Toronto Star. He said he’d like to interview me about Redeem the Commute, for a story on the commuting nightmare that has hit Toronto this summer. I knew this was a great opportunity for thousands of people to learn about Redeem the Commute. Our biggest growth ever came through a story on CBC News, so I knew the potential. I also had learned from experience that he probably had a tight deadline, and would quickly move on if I didn’t call back soon. I knew I didn’t have a lot of time to prep, but had an opportunity not to be passed up. So, I stopped, prayed, reviewed a couple key points, and dialled the phone. We chatted briefly, and as I suspected, he needed a story to publish the very next day. We began our interview… Now, imagine yourself in that situation. You suddenly have the opportunity to speak to thousands about something that really matters to you. What do you have to say? We’re going to explore that kind of situation this week, as it related to some of the first Christians, particularly Peter. He got put on the spot to speak – to do the very thing Jesus had told him to do – would he know what to say? Question: What is the largest group you’ve ever addressed? What did you have to say? Was it what you’d planned to say?

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