Devotionals by Raul Ries

TUESDAY December 30, 2025

Doing the Unthinkable

Then was fulfilled what was spoken by Jeremiah the prophet, saying: “A voice was heard in Ramah, lamentation, weeping, and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children, refusing to be comforted, because they are no more.”
Matthew 2:17-18

The wise men had followed a supernatural star––His star. It led them straight to Jesus. When they came into the house, they saw the Child with Mary, His mother. Immediately, the wise men fell down and worshiped Him. In an act of homage, they presented their gifts to the King. They gave Him precious gold, representing His royalty; expensive frankincense, recognizing His deity; and fragrant myrrh, relating to Jesus’ humanity and His coming death on the Cross (Matthew 2:11).

King Herod wanted to hear back from the wise men so he could locate Jesus and kill Him, but they never returned. In a dream, God warned them not to return to Herod, so they left and went back to their country another way (Matthew 2:12). Joseph was also warned by an angel of the Lord in a dream of Herod’s evil intentions to destroy the young Child. He was instructed to flee to Egypt with Mary and Jesus (Matthew 2:13-15).

King Herod was furious! He was determined to annihilate any threat to his throne. His first plan had failed, so now he would formulate another murderous scheme. When mad men rule, they do the unthinkable! As he had previously spoken with the wise men, he was able to determine the possible age of the Child. With this knowledge, Herod ordered the merciless slaughter of all the male children, two years old and under, not only in Bethlehem, but also in its surrounding districts (Matthew 2:16).

The Bible tells us that the heart of man is desperately wicked (Jeremiah 17:9). Without Christ, we are all capable of doing unthinkable acts. Only a life surrendered to Christ will bring the miracle of a changed heart. Are you ready to receive Jesus as your Savior, because He alone can give you a renewed heart? God said to His people, “I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you...” (Ezekiel 36:26). He can do that for you!

The Lord knows very well that you cannot change your own heart and cannot cleanse your own nature. But He also knows that He can do both.
~C.H. Spurgeon~

For more from Raul Ries, please visit SomebodyLovesYou.com!