Tuesday December 20, 2016
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, incense and of myrrh. -Matthew 2:11
I’ve shared before that one of my favorite things, is the sky. I am captivated by a clear sky full of bright, and beautiful stars.
So, this particular part of the true Christmas story captivates my attention.
Magi from the east came to Jerusalem 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.?
These men were court magicians, astrologers, or wise men from the East. Like me, they were captivated by a star. However, this star is one that my eyes have not seen before. This star was the Savior’s star. It proclaimed His birth. It left them wanting to do nothing, but see for themselves and worship.
As a little kid, I figured the wise men hopped on some camels, and traveled for about an hour or so to see Jesus. However, that’s not the case. These men traveled for hours, days, weeks, possibly even months to get to Bethlehem.
Getting the opportunity to see Jesus was worth the journey for them.
This crazy awesome captivating star, appears yet again in this story to show the men exactly where Jesus was.
These travelers had come for one purpose: to find the One born King of the Jews and worship Him. So, when they arrive at the house, they bow down and worship Him.
These men full of dignity, money, and honor fall down prostrate, and kiss the feet of Jesus.
Despite their paganism, quasi-science, and superstition they recognized God?s voice when He spoke.
Although having had limited spiritual light, they immediately recognized God?s light when it shone on them.
After spending time in complete worship, they then opened their gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh and presented it to Jesus. Not gifts you would give to a baby or toddler, but gifts that you would give to The King.
Once their visit is up, they received a dream that warned them not to go back to Herod and report what they had seen. So, they went a completely different route on their way home.
When we have met Jesus, we cannot go back the same way we came.
Wise men and women recognize the Messiah and bow at His feet and worship Him.
These wise men ended up being called wise because they made a wise decision.
They invested themselves in their journey, knelt to worship Jesus, disobeyed Herod, and returned home different from being in the very presence of their Savior.
Prayer: God, thank you for letting us hear the story of the Magi who knelt before you with devotion and brought you gifts. Help me to have that kind of wisdom. In your holy name, Amen.
-Whitney Flach
