Before Amen {At Advent}
An Advent study on prayer adapted from the book Before Amen by Max Lucado
Father,
You are good.
I need your help. Heal me and forgive me.
They need help.
Thank you.
In Jesus’ name, amen.
Day 6: In Jesus’ Name, Amen
“Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem, saying,
‘Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.’” Matt 2:1-2
The Bethlehem star. Was it a miracle? A natural phenomenon? A conjunction of planets, constellations, and stars? There is a lot of information available on the star that the wise men followed. Modern astronomers can almost line up specific astrological events to a small time period around the time of Jesus’ birth and the reign of king Herod. Historical references can almost pinpoint the biblical timeline of the magi’s visit. But in the space of almost and definite is space for faith. The fact that Jesus’ conception and birth was miraculous lends to the possibility that the star could have been supernatural, like the pillars of cloud and fire that led the Israelites through the wilderness.
The fact that many people at the time of Jesus, even nobles like Tiberius Caesar and Emperor Vespasian, were fascinated by astrology and heavenly signs in the stars and planets, lends to the possibility that God could have used His natural creation to point the way to His supernatural child. Still, any way you choose to look at it, the wise men called it His Star.
The sign was bold enough and bright enough to make “Herod, the king of the Jews, troubled and all of Jerusalem with him” (Matt 2:3).
What would have made Herod tremble at the birth of a boy? Could it be that for about 400 years no new prophecies had been told, but that day, in the stars over his palace, was written the fulfillment of them?
“and assembling all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. They told him, ‘In Bethlehem of Judea, for so it is written by the prophet: ‘And you, O Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for from you shall come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel.’” – Matthew 2:4-6
Herod was king, the ruler of the Jews. He knew authority, he was authority. He gave a command and it was done. But the prophecy told of a new ruler, a new king of the Jews that was coming and suddenly his authority was in question.
Jesus’ authority is in his name. In chapter one of Matthew we find His name. Verse 16 concludes the genealogy of Jesus with, “and Jacob the father of Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom Jesus was born, who is called the Christ.” Then in verses twenty-one to twenty-three of the same chapter it says, “’She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.’ All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet:
‘Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel.’ (which means, God with us).”
His name was written in the stars. Philippians 2:9 says “God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name.” (NIV) Christ Jesus, Immanuel. Lucado says that “when we pray in the name of Jesus, we come to God on the basis of Jesus’ accomplishments. …Prayer is not a magical formula or a mystical chant. It is the yes to God’s invitation to invoke his name.”
Zechariah and Elizabeth prayed for the coming Christ. Joseph and Mary prayed for the coming Christ. The heavenly host announced the coming Christ, and Simeon and Anna praised God for Him who they saw with their own eyes. And the wise men saw his name in the star and came to Christ.
The star is what leads us to Christ and lights the way for us to pray with authority, with sacrifice, and with worship.
“When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. And going into the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold, frankincense, and myrrh.” Matthew 2:10-11
Christ is the title given to the king who sits in authority over all the earth. To worship Christ the king, the wise men gave the gift of gold. When we pray in the name of Christ Jesus, we are putting his seal, his official stamp on our requests.
In his book, Lucado says that “when we pray in the name of Jesus Christ, we present a letter signed by our friend. Some years ago Denalyn and I happened to be in China on the occasion of our twenty-fifth wedding anniversary. Part of our trip included a visit to the American embassy and a luncheon with the ambassador. In conversation I mentioned the anniversary to him and asked if he had any restaurant recommendations in Hong Kong. Did he ever! He described an exclusive, members-only club in a downtown high-rise. The words ‘exclusive, members-only’ caused me to ask, ‘But how? How can we get a table?’ He motioned for an aide and whispered instructions in his ear. Momentarily the aide returned with a letter, confirming the reservation, signed by the ambassador. When I showed the letter to the maître d’, he smiled and led us to the table. We dined in the restaurant by virtue of the name of the ambassador. We access the throne room of God by virtue of the name of Jesus. Heaven sees his signature and throws open the door of welcome.”
Jesus says himself, in John 14:14, “You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.”
He has the authority, the power, and the resources to answer our prayers.
Jesus is the name given to the savior of his people. To worship Jesus the savior, the wise men gave the gift of myrrh. Oil used for wounds, death, and burials. Myrrh, a bittersweet gift, like the words of Simeon, who spoke to Mary of the pain that would pierce her soul because her son would be rejected, would have been a painful message that her son was born to die. We can pray in the name of Jesus because he knows our hurt; he was rejected, betrayed, and abused. He had scars and deep wounds. He had friendships that didn’t last, friends that died too early, family that didn’t believe in his mission. He was tempted, and didn’t give in. He sacrificed himself so that we can live. He offers us his strength and courage when we pray in his name. He will not leave us or forsake us. Ever. (Joshua 1:5-6)
Jesus came to save and to serve. To serve our savior, we must serve others. His mission must become our mission. Jesus talked about his impending death, and likewise, our suffering can become our sermon.
In Charles Dickens’ book, A Christmas Carol, the ghost of Bob Marley comes to warn Ebenezer Scrooge that his selfishness is for naught and he will be visited by three spirits. He tells Scrooge of the burden he carries in not being able to go back and change his life, and says, “I suffer most. Why did I walk through crowds of fellow-beings with my eyes turned down, and never raise them to that blessed star which led the wise men to a poor abode! Were there no poor homes to which its light would have conducted me!” Marley learned too late that serving others in Jesus’ name is more noble work than any earthy job could earn you.
Unfortunately, Herod the king never learned that lesson when instead he was visited by three magi.
Love Jesus, serve him only, and love others.
Immanuel is the name that was prophesied that God would be with his people. To worship Immanuel, God with us, the wise men gave the gift of frankincense. The altar of incense in the temple burned frankincense and lifted the prayers of the people to God. The gift of frankincense to baby Jesus was an acknowledgment of his deity. Psalm 141:2 calls our prayers incense. It says, “Let my prayer be counted as incense before you, and the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice!”
Zechariah prayed and he worshipped God through his prayers. He obeyed and named his son John. Joseph prayed and worshiped through his prayers and obeyed and took Mary as his wife. Simeon prayed and obeyed and worshipped at the temple on the day that Jesus was redeemed. And Anna prayed and obeyed and taught others about Christ. Our prayers come with a price. We must turn away from our desires and desire the will of God.
Our obedience is our worship and our prayer is our offering.
The wise men saw the star, they followed the light, the sign in the sky, and they came to the one to be worshiped. They offered gifts, but they received the greatest gift. They used their talents to recognize the treasure, and they carried with them gifts to bless the king, but when they found him, they were the ones who were blessed and filled with joy to overflowing.
Knowing Christ Jesus, Immanuel is the treasure we can unwrap.
Accept the gift.
Joseph, one of the twelve sons of Jacob (Israel), was given a gift by his father, a beautiful coat. The attention he received from his father and the gift to interpret dreams made his brothers jealous, so they sold him into slavery. When he was in Egypt with a prestigious job serving the Pharaoh, his brothers came for food during a famine and he forgave them for the years of slavery and abuse he endured, and he saved his family.
Joseph, the husband of Mary, the son of Jacob in the line of the same family, was warned in a dream that Herod, in a fit of rage and jealousy, was going to search for Jesus to destroy him. An angel told him to flee to Egypt to save his family.
Jesus’ life was not easy or free from trials. Lucado says, “The Roman government tried to intimidate him. False religion tried to silence him. The devil tried to kill him. All failed. Even ‘death was no match for him” (Acts 2:24 MSG).
Without prayer and obedience we have no hope of joy and peace, and we don’t know the love of God. Instead we live with bitterness, anger, jealousy, and rage. We live in a fallen world, but Jesus said, “I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart, I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33) “For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world – our faith.” (1 John 1:4)
In the advent of Jesus’ coming, we have peace, hope, joy, and love, and it is all found at the foot of a manger, and a star in the sky.
Lucado ends with these words, “Pray! Since God works, prayer works. Since God is good, prayer is good. Since you matter to God, your prayers matter in heaven. You’re never without hope, because you’re never without prayer. And on the occasion you can’t find the words to say, pull these out of your pocket:
Father;
You are good.
I need help. Heal me and forgive me.
They need help.
Thank you.
In Jesus’ name, amen.”
Discussion:
How is confident prayer a declaration that we understand and believe in the power and authority of Jesus?
Reflection:
Am I truly confident in the absolute and infinite authority of Jesus? If so, how can I walk in greater confidence as his child? If not, how will I ask Jesus to help me grow my confidence in his authority?
Action:
Share the prayer