Tuesday, January 10, 2012
Matthew 2:10-11a When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him.
GLAD TO SEEK HIM
King David once said, "I rejoiced with those who said to me, 'Let us go to the house of the LORD'" (Psalm 122:1). And in a another place he said, "I love the house where you live, O LORD, the place where your glory dwells" (Psalm 26:8). He was happy when he had the opportunity to come into the presence of God.
Neither did the wise men grumble about having to travel the long distance to get where Jesus was. It was with joy that they followed the star to the very place, and when they were greeted there by Mary and saw the Christ with their own eyes, they would certainly have agreed with David, "We love the house where you live, O LORD!"
Is it a joy for us to come to the Lord? Every Sunday morning (or even Saturday night) Satan tries to rob us of our joy. He says to us, "Don't you have too much to do? Are you sure you have time for church this week?" or "It's just too hard to get the children ready to go this morning, isn't it?" Are there days when--for whatever reason--the idea of going to the Lord's house doesn't seem to make us very glad?
Remember the journey of the wise men and the joy with with they undertook their journey. Most importantly, remember why they were so glad to make the trip: They had an opportunity to see first hand the mercy of God! Here was the answer to the guilt of their sins. Here was the answer to their questions about life after death. Here was the answer to sadness and frustration. Here was God reaching out to them in love by sending them His own Son. That same mercy and love of God is there for us too. Gladly we seek the Christ!
As with joyful steps they sped,
Savior, to Thy lowly bed,
There to bend the knee before
Thee whom heav'n and earth adore,
So may we with willing feet
Ever seek Thy mercy-seat!
(The Lutheran Hymnal, 127:2)
