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Matthew 2:6b …a ruler will come from you who will be the shepherd for my people Israel.
A. W. Tozer once wrote, “What comes into our minds when we think about God is the most important thing about us.” Take some time to dwell on that statement. What comes into your mind when you think about God is the most important thing about you. When you peel back all the layers of what you believe and why, it all boils down to what comes to your mind when you think about God.
So, what exactly comes to your mind when you think about God? About Jesus?
In the days of Jesus’ birth, what came into people’s minds was that God was going to send them a Warrior-Savior-King who would free His people from their evil oppressors – the Romans. But their beliefs were incomplete. Did God send a Warrior-Savior-King? Absolutely. But His role wasn’t to overthrow the Roman Empire. Instead, in the Gospel of Matthew, the first description of the kind of Savior Jesus would be was…a shepherd for the people of God.
READING & PRAYERS:
QUESTION: What exactly comes to your mind when you think about God? About Jesus?
QUESTION: What do you think is the significance of Jesus being described as a shepherd for the people of God?
Take a Step: Remember to continue utilizing the One Minute Pause app throughout the week. If possible, begin to explore and practice the 3, 5 or 10 minute pause to more deeply root yourself in Christ.
PRAYER: Heavenly Father, I recognize the likelihood that not all of my thoughts about You and Jesus may be 100% accurate. Refine me by revealing anything false or inaccurate I may believe about You and continue to reveal to me Your true nature and character so that I may better offer a true reflection of who You are to the world around me. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
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