The Troubling and Transformative Power of Jesus: A Call to Worship and Follow Him

Jesus is troubling to those who do not want to worship Him, and He arouses opposition against those who do. This is an inescapable implication as we look at the story of Jesus's birth.

In Matthew 2:3, we read that when Herod the king heard about the birth of Jesus, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. This reaction shows us that Jesus is not just a passive figure who can be ignored. He stirs up emotions and forces people to take a stance.

There are two kinds of people who do not want to worship Jesus. The first kind is those who simply do nothing about Him. Jesus becomes a nonentity in their lives. We see this indifference in the chief priests and scribes who, when asked by Herod about the birth of the Messiah, simply provide the information and go back to their business as usual. They have no interest in seeking out the Son of God and worshiping Him.

This indifference is also reflected in the people of Jerusalem. Matthew 2:3 tells us that they were troubled along with Herod. But their trouble does not lead them to action. They are not passionate about finding and worshiping Jesus. They remain silent and inactive.

The second kind of people who do not want to worship Jesus are those who are deeply threatened by Him. Herod is a prime example of this. He is not just troubled; he is genuinely afraid. He sees Jesus as a threat to his power and authority.

Herod's fear leads him to scheme and lie. He tells the magi to go and find the child so that he can come and worship Him, but his true intention is to eliminate Jesus. When the magi do not return to Herod, he becomes furious and orders the killing of all male children in Bethlehem who are two years old and under.

This extreme reaction shows us the extent to which some people will go to resist the worship of Jesus. They will resort to violence and oppression in order to maintain their own power and control.

As we reflect on this story, we can see that the same two kinds of opposition still exist today: indifference and hostility. There are those who simply do nothing about Jesus, who treat Him as a nonentity in their lives. And there are those who are threatened by Him, who see Him as a challenge to their own authority and control.

But as Christians, we are called to be different. We are called to be passionate worshipers of Jesus, to seek Him out and to give Him the honor and glory He deserves. We are called to be like the magi, who traveled from afar to worship the newborn King.

This Christmas, let us ponder what it means to truly worship and follow Jesus. Let us consider the cost and the sacrifice involved in being His disciples. And let us remember that Jesus is not a passive figure who can be ignored. He is a powerful and transformative force who demands a response from each and every one of us.

References:
- Matthew 2:3
- Matthew 2:4
- Matthew 2:3
- Matthew 2:16