Following the Star

“Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We saw his star as it rose, and we have come to worship him.” Matthew 2:2

I've noticed something about American culture:  People will watch a person, following their rise to fame, and often times laud, applaud, and worship them.  Yet, few really worship Jesus.  Oh sure, He had a star and it rose.  He was famous.  But, that was yesterday.  "I'm following the star.  Looking for the NBT—the next big thing.  Not interested in yesterday's news," some say.

But, notice what the Holy Bible says.

Psalm 49:11b-13 says, "They may name their estates after themselves, but their fame will not last.  They will die, just like animals.  This is the fate of fools, though they are remembered as being wise."

And Psalm 135:13 tells us, "Your name, O Lord, endures forever; your fame, O Lord, is known to every generation."

Jesus was and is the next big thing.  Are you following Him?  Or, are you bothered by what He requires of you?

And, what exactly is it that He requires of you?

Scripture tells us in Micah 6:8, "He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?"  Is it the "walking humbly with your God" part that gets you?

Deuteronomy 10:12-13 tells us this, "And now, Israel, what does the Lord your God require of you, but to fear the Lord your God, to walk in all his ways, to love him, to serve the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul, and to keep the commandments and statutes of the Lord, which I am commanding you today for your good?"  Do His commandments and statutes concern you, or is it the "with all your heart and with all your soul" that you have trouble with?

And, Romans 13:8 says, "Owe nothing to anyone—except for your obligation to love one another. If you love your neighbor, you will fulfill the requirements of God’s law."  Who is it that you have been withholding real love from?

Are you following Him?  Don't be lulled asleep by the culture lest His coming catch you by surprise and leave you with regret.

The last verse in Mark 13 from our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, reads thus, "And what I say to you I say to all:  Stay awake.”

Goodnight, Runners.