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Ruler


          When he had called together all the people’s chief priests and teachers of the law, he asked them where the Messiah was to be born. “In Bethlehem in Judea,” they replied, “for this is what the prophet has written: “‘But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for out of you will come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel.’” (Matthew 2:4-6)

          Bible.com was especially cooperative this morning, giving us another passage that explores a reason that He came. He came to be a ruler and shepherd of Israel. When I think of rulers now, I have to think of something King Esherick said in Earth Fire:  “I told you that if I had to be king, that I wasn’t going to pretend to be in control.” I don’t think Jesus came here to pretend to be in control but in reality, let us go on our merry way to do whatever we want (until or unless what we want is what He wants, too. That’s my goal.)
          In America, we don’t tend to think in positive terms about rulers, unless those rulers are doing what we want them to. That’s a big problem over the past two administrations. Mr. Obama didn’t do what Conservatives wanted him to, so they were less than cordial toward him. Mr. Trump isn’t doing what Liberals want him to, so they are even less cordial toward him.
          I’ve heard the same thing about God, the Father, and God, the Son. People say, “I could never believe in or worship a god who  ___________.”
And to that, both the Father and the Son say, “OK, but I am a God who __________, and to spend eternity with Us, you must bow to Us as God.”
           We have two options. We can either accept His rule or reject it. If we reject it we cannot expect to receive the benefits thereof. If we claim to accept the benefits but reject the rulership, we are committing treason. We all do this on a daily basis, sometimes in tiny ways that we don’t even notice; sometimes in bigger ways and with more conscious will. We like to think our treasons are petty, and beneath His notice, or that we are the reasonable ones – but either God is God, or we are. It can’t be both.
Right now, I’m struggling with this, because I want God to be God. I’m almost desperate for God to be God, but there’s a petty tyrant in my bowels (emotions) that wants to dictate reality. I’m so glad He came as a ruler.
          Lord, rule over and shepherd those parts of us that want to rebel.  

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