Tuesday, December 22, 2009

A biscuit with honey


Today’s Reading: Matthew 2:1-3 NIV

1 After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem 2 and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw His star in the east and have come to worship Him.” 3 When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him.

Good morning!

Jealousy is a terrible thing. When people feel threatened, they sometimes say and do things that they often live to regret. King Herod was no exception. He knew about the Jews’ long awaited Messiah, and when he heard the news of a newborn king, he completely flipped out. Have you ever been wronged by someone who was obviously jealous of you? Have you ever been jealous of someone else? Did you choose to act on those feelings?

I think our two year old grandson, Andrew, may have been a little bit jealous of his five year old sister, Emily. For the last several weeks, Emily has been recovering from a kidney/bladder surgery. This has required a major shift in attention, as Mom and Dad have been spending a lot of time with Emily at the hospital and at home. Andrew, whose was nicknamed “Biscuit” by his mother on the day he was born, decided to have a little honey for breakfast while she was taking a shower. She left him in front of the television watching his favorite cartoon while she took ten minutes for herself. Rachel couldn’t believe what mischief a two year old can get into in just ten minutes’ time. Andrew went to the kitchen, climbed up on a footstool and pulled out a plastic bottle of Honey Bee® Honey from the shelf. I don’t know how he did it, but Andrew managed to get the entire lid off the sticky bottle. Carrying the bottle upside down up the stairs, Andrew left a trail of honey all over the carpeted steps and upstairs landing. Then, he decided to play in it and run all over the house with sticky hands and feet.

His choice to wreck the house certainly caught the immediate attention of his mother. I had to laugh out loud when I saw the photographs of the mess Andrew made and his time out spent in the bathtub, posted on Rachel’s Facebook® page. My sister Pam commented, “There is nothing better than a Biscuit with Honey! I would have to agree with that statement. How could such a sweet little face get into such a sticky, ugly mess? Do you think Andrew was looking for a little extra attention from Mommy?

From Adam and through every generation, we have certainly found ways to act out and disobey our heavenly Father. Our sin, which has resulted from a growing jealousy deep within our hearts, cries out for the Father’s immediate attention. This is exactly why we need a Savior to help us, and this is the very reason Jesus came. Herod had no clue that his actions could not hamper the will of the Father or the obedience of His Son. His fit of rage cost many families in Bethlehem the lives of their first-born sons. We read this Scripture every Advent, and yet, our culture has yet to learn the real lesson offered from this story.

Are you starving for a little extra attention today? Are you misbehaving to get what you think you need or deserve? Whom have you hurt by your actions? This is a great day to take some time to confess all of your sins to the Father. Ask Him to forgive you, in Jesus’ holy name. The infant king died and rose again to save you from your jealous rage inside, eating you alive. Do not hesitate to give Him your whole heart today.

Grace and peace,

Deb Spaulding

Faith UMC - St. Charles, MO

www.songofdeborah.com

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