Joplin Community of Christ

Second Sunday after Christmas

Today’s Prayer for Peace – Saudi Arabia

Direct link to download today’s audio message http://jcoc.no-ip.org/media/JoplinCOC-01-09-2011.mp3

http://jcoc.no-ip.org/media/JoplinCOC-01-09-2011.mp3

News and Announcements

Wednesday, Jan 12
Mid-week Renewal of the Spirit – 6:00 PM

Saturday, Jan 15
Memorial Service for Muirl Tobinson – 2:00 PM at the church

Sunday, Jan 16
Theme: Pay Attention
Presider: Don Thompson

Speaker: Margo Peterson

Musician: Diana Martin
Morning Devotions: Fern Bath

Deacon in Charge: Sylvia Honeyball

Sunday, Jan 23
A congregational Business Meeting will be held immediately following church. We will sustain cnongregational leaders for 2011 and consider the congregation’s 2011 operating budget.

Birthdays and Anniversaries, Jan 2-8
10 John Williams
11 Breanna Burgess
12 Mykah Strausbaugh

Exploring the Scriptures

The author of Matthew, from the beginning of the Gospel, shares the divinity of the newborn Jesus. The evidence begins with Jesus’ royal genealogy and kinship to King David and the virgin conception. The visit of the wise men expands the purpose of Jesus’ birth from the Messiah of the Jews to the Savior of all.

There are several messages about Jesus in Matthew’s story. The imagery of the star suggests God’s intervening supremacy. The Magi, known as wise men and astrologers from the East, represent Gentiles. Many Gentiles hear and embrace the message of Jesus even when Jewish leaders deny him as their messiah. When the Magi proclaim the newborn as the king of the Jews, the powerful King Herod and the chief priests and scribes are threatened. The Magi recognize the majesty of the Christ child and honor him with their extensive travel, visit, and regal gifts.

The three references to “homage” (Matthew 2:2, 8, 11) are other indicators of the divine nature of Jesus. The wise men travel with the intent of honoring royalty (2:2). King Herod claims a wish to pay homage, even though his intent is sinister (2:8). The Magi’s long journey ends with honoring the Christ child and his mother, Mary (2:11). They kneel down in reverence and offer him royal gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.

The Matthew text upholds Jesus as Messiah and invites us to follow God’s direction in our lives. Herod and the chief priests and scribes represent those who remain in the former or traditional ways. These leaders protect their power and authority through denial or violence. Those who are faithful recognize Jesus as Messiah and model how to follow God’s directions. In response to Jesus, God’s gift, we can keep the traditional ways of interpreting scripture or we can respond by sharing our personal gifts through ministry. Our faithful response reflects our reliance on God as our provider and the giver of blessings and gifts. We model Christlike ministry when we offer the gift of Jesus’ message of peace.

The Communion helps us put our gifts in proper context. Just as did the wise men of old, we today must first receive the gift that God offers to the world—the Messiah, Jesus. In Communion we receive again the Christ through the symbols of bread and wine. In so doing we rededicate ourselves to offer our gifts for the sake of God’s redemption of the world.

Central Ideas

1. The wise men represent the Gentiles who recognize and pay homage to Jesus as Messiah of the Jews and Savior of all.
2. The wise men honor Jesus in several ways. First, they recognize and follow the star, God’s sign of the birth of Jesus. Then they respond by visiting and kneeling before the infant, giving precious gifts suitable for a king.
3. Faithful disciples choose to honor and follow Jesus, God’s gift to all creation.
4. The Communion represents God’s great gift to all the world—the Savior Jesus Christ.

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