Key Passage
Jesus was born in the town of Bethlehem in Judea. He was born during the time when Herod was king. After Jesus was born, some wise men from the east came to Jerusalem. The wise men asked people, "Where is the new baby that is the king of the Jews? We saw the star that shows he was born. We saw the star rise in the sky in the east. We came to worship him."
— Matthew 2:1-2 ERV (Read Full Text)
Key Thought
God does the unexpected! There was no way anyone would suspect—much less expect—that Easterners would come to worship a Jewish King, especially a baby one. No normal person would have expected a King to be born in Bethlehem, a little obscure town of insignificance. No faithful Israelite would have ever believed astrologers would be led to the true God through their false, stargazing-worship. (Remember that astrology was steadfastly condemned under Mosaic Law as one of the acts of divination—magically foretelling the future! Deut. 18:9-15) But then, God doesn't have to do things the way normal Israelites, Gentiles, or modern people do them. Aren't we glad God is full of surprises! Aren't we glad he sent Jesus as his greatest Surprise!
Prayer
O Sovereign and Almighty Lord, please forgive me for trying to tame you and make you predictable. You have always been full of surprises. Please "surprise" me in my lifetime by bringing your salvation to every nation, language, tribe, and people in our world. In the name of Jesus I pray. Amen.
Related Scriptures
But we speak God's secret wisdom. This wisdom has been hidden {from people}. God planned this wisdom for our glory. He planned it before the world began. None of the rulers of this world understood this wisdom. If they had understood it, then they would not have killed our glorious Lord on a cross. But like the Scriptures say, "No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no person has imagined what God has prepared for those people that love him."
— 1 Corinthians 2:7-9
If you would tear open the skies and come down to earth, {then everything would change}. The mountains would melt before you. {The mountains} would burst into flames like burning bushes. {The mountains would boil like} water on the fire. Then your enemies would learn about you. Then all nations would shake with fear when they see you. But we don't really want you to do these things. The mountains would melt before you. Your people never really listened to you. Your people never really heard the things you said. No person has ever seen a God like you. There is no other God—only you. If people are patient and wait for you to help them, then you will do great things for them.
— Isaiah 64:1-4
You know very well that the day the Lord comes again will be {a surprise} like a thief who comes at night.
— 1 Thessalonians 5:2
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