January 5, 2022 “God Speaks in Dreams”

Was the author of Matthew really privy to the dreams of the magi and of Joseph? I have often wondered about this.

But, dreams are remarkable happenings. So, I have no doubt that this subconscious life that we have while dreaming is where we can meet the divine and receive life-changing insight.

The devotional author urges us to listen for God’s voice as we slumber and awaken with renewed vigor. What tender words of encouragement those are!

In these verses, something stood out to me that I had never noticed before. Right after the wise men had asked Herod about finding the king of the Jews, verse 3 says, “When King Herod heard this, he was frightened, and all Jerusalem with him.” I understand that Herod felt threatened by someone else having the title “King of the Jews." Before today, though, I had not noticed that all of Jerusalem was frightened, too. Were they scared of Herod being afraid, wary of what he might do? Or was there some other reason for the populace to be afraid?

The devotional author also pointed out something about which I’d never thought before. After the magi met Jesus, their lives were changed. Did Jesus bless them? Was he old enough to have a conversation with them? Was just being in his presence enough? Wouldn’t it be fascinating to know what went on in that meeting? The wise men changed their path of travel because of a dream, and they walked a new path in life, having fulfilled their quest and, perhaps, by starting to spread the Good News to the Gentiles. I wonder if they behaved differently.

The author brings the concept from the wise men to our lives with the statement, “But once you encounter Jesus, nothing is ever the same.” I know I feel that way on the inside. When people meet me, can they tell that I have had an encounter with Jesus? I want to live in a way that makes the answer, “Yes!”