Peter's denial and status

 

After denying that he was a follower of Christ (Jn 18), Peter was no longer identified as a disciple for several days. The length of time between Peter's denial and his restoration remind us of the way we might need to sit in uncomfortable places dealing with the consequences of our actions. Are you able to sit in the uncomfortable place of confession of your sins?

The Wise men and the politics of power

 

While the wise men came peacefully to worship the Lord, their presence sparked a tragedy. They alerted King Herod to the birth of the absolute king (Matt 2). Although the magi did not assist him, like many political leaders, Herod killed and injured many innocents in his quest to retain power. Have you ever hurt others in order to maintain control over something? 

Can you give up power?

 When King Herod discovered that the Christ, who would one day rule Herod's kingdom, had just been born, Herod was determined to hold onto his political power by killing the Christ before he could be king. Herod's desperation to remain king resulted in a death sentence for any child under the age of two. What terrible acts would you be willing to commit to hold your power or privilege? Matt 2:16-18

How exclusive is your Jesus?

 

Every group has criteria that must be met to join it. Even the most inclusive group might require you embrace inclusivity, thus creating a criteria that must be met. Christianity's criteria is asking Christ for forgiveness (Jn 14). There is no requirement that you hold to any particular political views, or perform any tasks, or be of any race, or speak a specific language, or wear specific clothes. The only criteria is Christ.

Who's your Herod?

The story of Jesus includes the story of King Herod (Matt 2). While Herod performed splashy religious acts like building a temple,  he was also known for brutally killing a large number of infants for fear of losing his kingdom. Christians should be wary of those who might seek to "buy Heaven," or use their wealth to influence our silence while they perform evil acts.