Read:
Matthew 2: 1-11 (NIV)
1 After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of
King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem 2 and asked, “Where
is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and
have come to worship him.”
3 When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him. 4 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.5 “In Bethlehem in Judea,” they replied, “for this is what the prophet has written:
6 “‘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.’”
7 Then Herod called the Magi secretly and found out from them the exact time the star had appeared. 8 He sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search carefully for the child. As soon as you find him, report to me, so that I too may go and worship him.”
9 After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen when it rose went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. 10 When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. 11 On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.
3 When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him. 4 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.5 “In Bethlehem in Judea,” they replied, “for this is what the prophet has written:
6 “‘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.’”
7 Then Herod called the Magi secretly and found out from them the exact time the star had appeared. 8 He sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search carefully for the child. As soon as you find him, report to me, so that I too may go and worship him.”
9 After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen when it rose went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. 10 When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. 11 On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.
Reflect:
Imagine for a moment, the
anticipation, wonder, and joy of having a family member or a close friend
expect the birth of a child. What the child might look like? Which parent’s
personality they might exhibit the most? What they might ultimately grow up to
be?
As we look back at these verses we
can only image how the Magi might have felt. They knew they were embarking on a
long journey that would ultimately lead them to the King of the Jews. They knew
this was a child, a King indeed, who wasn’t the King over their own earthly
kingdom. Yet the scripture tells us they pursued the star in hope and with a
desire to worship Him. Upon finally seeing the star, which they had followed
for so long, they stopped at the place where the child was and the Magi bowed
down, or perhaps even threw themselves to the ground, with great joy and
worshiped him.
If we allow ourselves to, we can
almost visualize the scene as it unfolds before us with such great wonder and
joy. The Magi were finally at the place where they had traveled so far to be.
The end of their journey wasn’t about a location, but instead about the subject
of their worship. This is something we can really focus in on. The joy and
anticipation of meeting the Son of Man must have been overwhelming at times;
but despite the long journey and many obstacles that they encountered along the
way the Magi stayed dedicated to their pursuit of the King. Finally, they were in
his presence and presented him with extravagant gifts of worship.
Act:
Let us take great joy in our daily pursuit of the King of Kings
because, unlike the Magi, we know the outcome of Jesus’s life on this earth. If
we can live this life full of the joy of knowing Him and knowing He has made a
home for us in Heaven, then we can and should share that joy with those around
us.
Pray:
Father in Heaven, please remind us daily of the great joy we have
in knowing the one true King. Help us to have the courage and boldness to share
that knowledge and joy with those we encounter on a daily basis. Let our daily
pursuit of Jesus lead us to offer You thoughtful and extravagant gifts of
worship.
Steven and Leigh Wright
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