December 17, 2025
Matthew 2:1-6 (HCSB)
Wise Men Seek the King
2 After Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of King Herod, wise men from the east arrived unexpectedly in Jerusalem, 2 saying, “Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we saw His star in the east and have come to worship Him.” 3 When King Herod heard this, he was deeply disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him. 4 So he assembled all the chief priests and scribes of the people and asked them where the Messiah would be born. 5 “In Bethlehem of Judea,” they told him, “because this is what was written by the prophet:
6 And you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,
are by no means least among the leaders of Judah:
because out of you will come a leader who will shepherd My people Israel.”
Noah Leighton
I remember once getting lost on the way to speak at a youth camp. My GPS rerouted three times, and every turn seemed to take me further into the middle of nowhere. By the time I finally arrived, I was frustrated, tired, and wondering if I had missed something. Looking back, though, that night turned out to be one of the most powerful moments of ministry I’d ever experienced. I almost missed it—simply because the road didn’t look like I expected. That’s what I think about when I read about the wise men in Matthew 2. They had been following a star, chasing a sign, searching for something greater. And where did they end up first? The wrong city. They went to Jerusalem, but the King they were looking for was in Bethlehem—a small, humble town just a few miles away. Sometimes, even when we’re sincerely seeking God, the journey takes detours. But the story reminds us that if our hearts are truly set on finding Him, He’ll make sure we do. Don’t be discouraged if the road feels confusing. Even your detours can lead you to Jesus.
Wise Men Seek the King
2 After Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of King Herod, wise men from the east arrived unexpectedly in Jerusalem, 2 saying, “Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we saw His star in the east and have come to worship Him.” 3 When King Herod heard this, he was deeply disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him. 4 So he assembled all the chief priests and scribes of the people and asked them where the Messiah would be born. 5 “In Bethlehem of Judea,” they told him, “because this is what was written by the prophet:
6 And you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,
are by no means least among the leaders of Judah:
because out of you will come a leader who will shepherd My people Israel.”
Noah Leighton
I remember once getting lost on the way to speak at a youth camp. My GPS rerouted three times, and every turn seemed to take me further into the middle of nowhere. By the time I finally arrived, I was frustrated, tired, and wondering if I had missed something. Looking back, though, that night turned out to be one of the most powerful moments of ministry I’d ever experienced. I almost missed it—simply because the road didn’t look like I expected. That’s what I think about when I read about the wise men in Matthew 2. They had been following a star, chasing a sign, searching for something greater. And where did they end up first? The wrong city. They went to Jerusalem, but the King they were looking for was in Bethlehem—a small, humble town just a few miles away. Sometimes, even when we’re sincerely seeking God, the journey takes detours. But the story reminds us that if our hearts are truly set on finding Him, He’ll make sure we do. Don’t be discouraged if the road feels confusing. Even your detours can lead you to Jesus.
Recent
Archive
2026
2025
January
January 1, 2025A Note From Pastor HDJanuary 2, 2025January 3, 2025January 4, 2025Sunday Connect Lesson for January 5, 2025January 6, 2025January 7, 2025January 8, 2025January 9, 2025January 10, 2025Questions for the WeekJanuary 12, 2025January 13, 2025January 14, 2025January 15, 2025January 16, 2025January 17, 2025Questions for the WeekSunday Connect Lesson for January 19, 2025January 20, 2025January 21, 2025January 22, 2025January 23, 2025January 24, 2025Questions for the WeekSunday Connect Lesson for January 26January 27, 2025January 28, 2025January 29, 2025January 30, 2025January 31, 2025
February
Questions for the WeekConnect Lesson for Sunday, February 2February 3, 2025February 4, 2025February 5, 2025February 6, 2025February 7, 2025Questions for the WeekSunday Connect Lesson for February 9, 2025February 10, 2025February 11, 2025February 12, 2025February 13, 2025February 14, 2025Questions for the WeekSunday Connect Lesson for February 16, 2025February 17, 2025February 18, 2025February 19, 2025February 20, 2025February 21, 2025Questions for the WeekSunday Connect Lesson for February 23, 2025February 24, 2025February 25, 2025February 26, 2025February 27, 2025February 28, 2025
March
Questions for the WeekConnect Lesson for Sunday, March 2, 2025March 3, 2025A Note from Pastor HDMarch 4, 2025March 5, 2025March 6, 2025March 7, 2025Questions for the WeekSunday Connect Lesson for March 9, 2025March 10, 2025March 11, 2025March 12, 2025March 13, 2025March 14, 2025Questions for the WeekSunday Connect Lesson for March 16, 2025March 17, 2025March 18, 2025March 19, 2025March 20, 2025March 21, 2025Questions for the WeekSunday Connect Lesson for March 23, 2025March 24, 2025March 25, 2025March 26, 2025March 27, 2025March 28, 2025Questions for the Week
No Comments