Saturday, December 20, 2008
Matthew 2:1-2, 11 Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, saying, "Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the East and have come to worship Him." And when they had come into the house, they saw the young Child with Mary His mother, and fell down and worshiped Him. And when they had opened their treasures, they presented gifts to Him: gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
LET'S GO TO BETHLEHEM -- WITH THE MAGI
We may think that Mary and Joseph's journey was a long one, but the Magi from the east surely traveled further. They weren't on vacation and decided to take a side trip. They journeyed to find the Christ. They came to Jerusalem, the city of the King, because they were looking for the King to come from among the Jews. They weren't just coming out of curiosity, but for a sacred purpose -- to worship Him. They brought gifts to show their love and thanksgiving.
We marvel at the angels and the shepherds. We should also marvel at power of the Word which brought the Magi from afar to worship. What they did was not logical.
When they found the child, he was not in a palace. He was not dressed in golden clothing and surrounded by guards. He was in a small house in a small town. Did He look like a King? Still, they fell down and worshiped Him.
When we gather for worship next week, we will likely not have traveled thousands of miles. Still our purpose in gathering will be the same as that of the Magi. We come, not merely to be reunited with fellow believers, but to fall down and worship the Christ.
When we gather for worship, we will do so knowing from the Scriptures why this Child was born. He was born to live and die for us. He was born to save us. The miracle of His birth (true God and true man) declared in the Scriptures helps us to see why His death was so tremendous. He has redeemed us by His perfect atonement.
May God help us that our Christmas celebration always be sacred, a joyous opportunity to worship and praise Him.
