Strange Dreams – Read: Matt 1:18-25
Contemplation
Now we are in the royal palace. Herod is a king – or likes to think he is. Actually, he rules the country for the Romans, far away. Still, his home is huge – a real palace with sweeping columns and glorious sculptures. Statues taller than people. As we go inside to the king’s throne room we can smell delicious, rare, foods, spices and ointments. Beautiful lights sparkle off the multicoloured tiles on the floor and everyone is dressed in fine, soft, clothes. Soldiers guard all the gates from th e people. Herod sits in his throne room, waiting for guests…and here they come.
Unusual people, they speak a language we do not know and when they do speak our language, the accent and the words they use tell us that, while they are highly educated, they are not used to our speech or ways. Their clothes are strange, and they have all sorts of books and instruments which we have never come across before. It turns out that these wise men are people who study the sky. They talk about a star that they have followed all the way from a far country to meet a new king.
A king…Herod is worried. He’s the king…isn’t he? Isn’t he? He shuffles on his throne. He quickly has them moved out of hearing of the servants waiting to tell him how wonderful he is. “What king?” “Where?” “When?” “Tell me everything!” “I want to pay my respects!” He speaks gently enough, but there’s a panicky edge to his voice, and we can smell the sweat. This is a worried man.
Where do I feel I am in control – where is my kingdom?
Does God challenge my rule? How?
How do I respond?