Today’s Walk in the Word

[T]hey . . . presented him with gifts of gold and of incense and of myrrh.             —Matthew 2:11 We want our gifts to be appropriate and appreciated. I knew a man whose spic-and-span housekeeping wife spent a lot of time on her knees hand-waxing their floors. He gave her […]

Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews?        —Matthew 2:2 The wise men made a trip of 1,000 miles, one-way, to see and worship Jesus. Teachers of the law in Jerusalem knew that Christ would be born in Bethlehem, six miles from Jerusalem; so they pointed the visitors […]

[W]e are God’s fellow workers.            —1 Corinthians 3:9 With all the problems of the planet on display on a computer in your pocket, it seems unlikely that you—one individual—can do much that makes a difference. But the world is comprised of continents, which are comprised of countries, which are comprised […]

Take my yoke upon you.     —Matthew 11:29 I saw them coming out of Toys “R” Us; a dad and his daughter, lugging a starter Jungle Gym. Dad was lifting most of the load, but let his little angel think she was carrying half the weight. Are you struggling with burdens that feel like […]

A voice is heard in Ramah, weeping and great mourning.          —Matthew 2:18 Herod was furious. The wise men had outfoxed him and headed home without giving him the location of baby Jesus. Okay, he’d handle it himself: “he gave orders to kill all the boys in Bethlehem and its vicinity who […]

Whoever acknowledges me before men, I will also acknowledge him before my Father.                        —Matthew 10:32 Do you remember your graduation? There was the thrill of hearing your name called, the affirmation of your successful completion of the prescribed course of study, and the recommendation […]

[D]o not worry about tomorrow.                —Matthew 6:34 Bible scholar R.C.H. Lenski translated today’s text this way: “Do not worry into the morrow.” He explained that the Greek word (eis) means “into,” not “about”—thus, the text should read, “do not worry into tomorrow,” not, “do not worry about tomorrow.” […]

[T]ake the child and his mother and escape to Egypt.    —Matthew 2:13 While Joseph and Mary were on the road from Nazareth to Bethlehem, the wise men were on the road from Babylon to Bethlehem. There they met, and the newborn Christ child was worshiped. Conniving King Herod, with murder on his mind, asked […]

[E]ven the very hairs of your head are all numbered.       —Matthew 10:30 God is interested in the smallest details of your life. You don’t have a clue how many hairs are pushing through your scalp, do you? (The average is about 140,000.) Your Father knows your exact number. Not only does he […]

[S]tore up for yourselves treasures in heaven. —Matthew 6:20 Is it wrong to accumulate treasures on earth to provide for personal and family security, help those in need, and support good works? No. God led Joseph to advise Pharaoh to store up grain for future survival (Gn 41:33-36). And Paul said if a person doesn’t […]