PLEASE READ THIS FIRST: Matthew 2

What do you sense the Lord saying to you in this passage?

“Out of you will come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel” (Matthew 2:6)
Micah was a prophet who warned Jerusalem (and Israel) about their doom.
They had turned from God’s love and become arrogant, unjust and unmerciful.
Even though God had shown them what was good, what was expected of them (Micah 6:8).
The future was grim because of this, and yet there was hope.
If the sheep had gone astray, a good shepherd was coming – like David.
A good ruler who reflected God’s goodness – justice, mercy and humility.
The people had to wait 700 years before this coming ruler would come.
We now stand on the other side of his coming, 2000 years since his birth.
Jesus is our shepherd king, born in the town of Bethlehem.
And yet we still wait for his coming again, this time to finish what he began.
The religious leaders knew he was coming, yet did not seek him in Bethlehem.
Maybe so much time had passed, they had given up hope, given up waiting?
Do we experience Jesus as our shepherd leader, and are we following him?
Are we eager for his justice, mercy and humility – enough to serve him?
PRAYER
Lord Jesus, you have shown us what is good, what God desires for us. You have shown us what justice, mercy and humility look like. Help me to long for it, to seek it, to live it.