 From a message by Jon Alsdorf
The Christmas story we often tell is filled with wonder and joy - wise men following a star, bringing gifts to baby Jesus. But there's a darker, more complex reality beneath this familiar narrative that reveals something profound about how we respond to Jesus today. What Really Happened When the Magi Arrived? When the wise men from the east arrived in Jerusalem asking, "Where is he who has been born King of the Jews?" the response was immediate and telling. Scripture says that "King Herod was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him." This wasn't just mild concern - this was deep, widespread anxiety that gripped an entire city. The Historical Context That Changes Everything To understand why everyone was so troubled, we need to grasp the political powder keg that was first-century Palestine. This wasn't a peaceful time of Roman rule. The region had been a battleground between empires for centuries. The land had passed from Babylonian to Persian to Greek to Roman control. Most recently, the Parthian Empire from the east had actually conquered Jerusalem and driven out the Romans, including Herod himself. The Jews had preferred Parthian rule because it allowed them more religious and cultural freedom. When Herod returned with Roman backing to reclaim his throne, tensions remained high. Many Jews still hoped the Parthians would return and liberate them from Roman oppression. Why the Magi's Question Was So Dangerous Now imagine a large contingent of eastern dignitaries - likely from Parthian territory - arriving in Jerusalem asking about the one "born king of the Jews." This wasn't an innocent question. Herod was the appointed king, installed by Rome. These visitors were essentially asking, "Where is the rightful king?" This was a direct challenge to Herod's legitimacy and a potential signal of Parthian interest in the region. No wonder all Jerusalem was troubled - this looked like the beginning of another political upheaval. How Do We Respond to Threats? We all face different types of threats in life - physical, social, relational, or threats to our identity and meaning. Usually, our response to perceived threats is more intense than our response to actual ones. We lash out, become defensive, or try to protect what we think is being challenged. Herod's response was extreme but predictable. When he realized the wise men had circumvented his authority, he ordered the murder of all male children in Bethlehem under two years old. This was the desperate act of someone who felt his power and position were under attack. Why Jesus Is Still a Threat Today Here's the uncomfortable truth that Matthew wants us to see: Jesus is absolutely a threat to you and me, just as he was to Herod. Not because he wants to harm us, but because he challenges our position as ruler of our own lives. Jesus Threatens Our Personal Autonomy When we make Jesus Lord, our options become limited. We can't just do whatever we want with our time, money, or relationships. The choices available to us in any given situation become constrained by his will and his ways. Jesus Threatens Our Financial Independence Following Jesus means we can't do anything we want with our money. Generosity, stewardship, and kingdom priorities begin to reshape how we handle our resources. Jesus Threatens Our Relationships Christ wants access to all our relationships - marriage, parenting, friendships, work relationships. He wants to reshape the character of how we interact with everyone in our lives. Jesus Threatens Our Legacy and Social Standing If our purpose is to make a name for ourselves, Jesus disrupts that plan entirely. He's not interested in building our reputation but his own. Following him seriously can also impact how others perceive us socially. Jesus Threatens Our Pursuit of Pleasure The American pursuit of pleasure and comfort doesn't align with Jesus's call to take up our cross and follow him. He challenges our comfort zones and calls us to sacrifice. What Do We Do When We Feel Threatened by Jesus? Often, we delay responding to the gospel because we instinctively know that if Jesus becomes Lord of our lives, things are going to change. We enjoy being the king of our own lives and making our own choices. But here's what we need to understand: whatever we perceive as threatened by Jesus represents areas of our lives that we haven't fully surrendered to him. The Only Two Positions Available Jesus draws a line in the sand and calls us to choose sides. We can either yield our lives to his authority and salvation, or we can engage in power plays and try to position ourselves to somehow survive God's judgment on our own. The second option is impossible. No amount of money, good works, or self-improvement can satisfy the enormous debt we have before God because of sin. The only way is surrender to Jesus. Why This Is Actually Good News Christmas represents God's greatest gift to the world because Jesus provides the only way to have peace with God. Through him, our debt can be paid and we can be reconciled to our Creator. When we surrender the things we're afraid Jesus will threaten, something amazing happens. He transforms them and gives us back something far better than what we were protecting. He doesn't take things away to harm us but to bless us beyond what we could imagine. Life Application This week, take an honest inventory of your life with the Holy Spirit's help. Ask yourself: "What is it in my life that feels most threatened by Jesus?" Whether it's your autonomy, finances, relationships, reputation, or pursuit of comfort, identify those areas where you're still holding back. Once you've identified these areas, ask God to help you surrender them to Jesus. Don't waste time protecting things you're afraid he'll mess up. Trust him with every aspect of your life. The peace that comes from full surrender to Christ surpasses anything we can experience while trying to maintain control. Questions for Reflection:
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Apply it!Next Steps is a collection of articles drawn from the sermons of Pastor Jon Alsdorf, and guest speakers, written to help you connect God's Word to real life. Each post is designed to inspire, challenge, and encourage you to live out your faith in practical, everyday ways -- because following Jesus is more than words, it's actions. Archives
January 2026
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