Wise Men Worship
The story of the wise men in the Bible is a beautiful depiction of what it looks like to seek after Jesus. What is incredible about this specific pursuit is their heart condition. They sought after Him not to earn any merits or accolades. Rather their intention is revealed through their response, they worshipped. They encountered their savior and responded in worship. The rest of their story is marked by change, this encounter demanded that their lives shift. They were transformed inwardly and outwardly.
Over 40 years ago, I was an individual who knew a lot “about” God, but I did not “know” God. Share on X
I was someone who went to church every Sunday, served in many roles in the church, took care of my family, and worked hard in our business.
I was trying to earn my way to Heaven until I came to “know” God when I put my trust in Jesus Christ and he became my personal savior and the Lord of my life.
From that day forward I went a different way, and today, I still live out a life that has been transformed by Jesus Christ.
Jesus reinforces this idea in John 14:6, there is only one way to everlasting life and it is not through works or church attendance
“I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”
To watch Bobby’s full testimony and the transformative power of the Gospel and click here >>> https://youtu.be/Gbs1JPf70Kg
The Visit of the Wise Men
The story of the Wise Men is often an overlooked story in the Bible. It holds a great wealth of wisdom, and encourages us to contemplate Christ’s birth. The story of these individuals tells us how their lives were interrupted by the Birth of Christ. When they encountered Christ, it demanded a change from them. The expectations of their lives changed.
The telling of the Wise Men’s journey is seen in Matthew 2:1-12, let’s read it so we can more fully engage with their story.
1 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, 2 saying, “Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.” 3 When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him; 4 and assembling all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. 5 They told him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for so it is written by the prophet:
6 “‘And you, O Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,
are by no means least among the rulers of Judah;
for from you shall come a ruler
who will shepherd my people Israel.’”7 Then Herod summoned the wise men secretly and ascertained from them what time the star had appeared. 8 And he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, “Go and search diligently for the child, and when you have found him, bring me word, that I too may come and worship him.” 9 After listening to the king, they went on their way. And behold, the star that they had seen when it rose went before them until it came to rest over the place where the child was. 10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. 11 And going into the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh. 12 And being warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed to their own country by another way.
Wise Men Seek Jesus
Every person who comes to know God should go in a different direction because the presence of Jesus Christ has been made known to them.
When the wise men of high position from the East, near the site of ancient Babylon, saw the star, they traveled thousands of miles to see the King of the Jews.
The way the star moved and settled over one place, denoted that it was likely a supernatural reality similar to the Shekinah Glory of God that guided the Israelites in the days of Moses (Exodus 13:21). Similar to when the Holy Spirit leads a person seeking to know Jesus Christ as their personal Savior.
The number of wise men is not given. The traditional notion was that there were three men from the number of gifts they brought. They were not kings, but Magi, magicians, or astrologers – whose knowledge of the Hebrew Scriptures could be traced back to the time of Daniel (Daniel 5:11).
The Search for Jesus
When the wise men arrived in Jerusalem, it caused quite a stir. Because it was so dangerous to travel, there must have been a large number traveling to protect the wise men like an army of hundreds. But also, Herod the king was disturbed when the wise men inquired, “Where is he who has been born King of the Jews?” Matthew 2:2.
The Chief priests and teachers of the law, scribes, were aware of Micah 5:2 and other prophecies about the Messiah. They were professional scholars whose specialty was explaining the application of the law. They knew exactly where the Messiah was to be born (Matthew 2:5) however lacked the faith to accompany the wise men to the place where he was.
Most religious leaders believed in a literal fulfillment of all Old Testament prophecy; therefore, they believed the Messiah would be born in Bethlehem as foreseen by the prophet Micah. Ironically, when Jesus was born, these same religious leaders became his greatest enemies. When the Messiah for whom they had been waiting finally came, they didn’t recognize him.
Then Herod said, “…when you have found him, bring me word, that I too may come and worship him.”
However, Herod did not want to worship Christ – he was lying. This was a trick to get the wise men to return to him and reveal the whereabouts of the newborn king. Herod’s plan was to kill Jesus.
Wise Men Worship
When the wise men finally found him, they responded with joy, worship, and gifts. This is so different from the approach people often take today. We expect God to come looking for us, to explain Himself, prove who He is and give us gifts. But those who are wise still seek and worship Jesus today, not for what they can get, but for who He is.
The wise men gave expensive gifts as worthy acknowledgment for a future king. The gifts were symbolic of Christ’s identity and what He would accomplish. Gold was a gift for royalty; frankincense was a gift for a deity; myrrh was a spice for a person who was going to die.
The wise men brought these gifts and worshiped Jesus because of who He was. This is the essence of true worship – honoring Christ for who He is and being willing to give Him what is valuable to you. God calls us to worship Him because he is the perfect, just, and almighty Creator of the universe, worthy of the best you have to give.
The fact that these Gentiles, wise men, would offer such worship had prophetic significance as well.
Significance of Worship
As part of God’s plan, these gifts may have provided the financial resources to Joseph, Mary, and baby Jesus for the trip to Egypt and back.
After finding Jesus and worshiping him, the wise men were warned by God not to return to Jerusalem as they had intended. Finding Jesus may mean that your life must take a different direction, one that is responsive and obedient to God’s Word.
When Jesus was born into the world, people immediately began to react. His presence did not soothe and comfort most people instead, it startled and disturbed them. In some, he awakened spiritual longings, in others, fear and insecurity. Things have not changed that much, Jesus still disturbs people. If it is true that God entered this world when Jesus was born, we dare not sit idly by ignoring and rationalizing our inaction. We must acknowledge Jesus as the rightful King of our lives.
Listen to a beautiful song that tells the story of the Wise Men. “We Three Kings (We’re Not Lost)” by the Rend Collective and Keith and Kristen Getty.
Lyrics:
We three kings of orient are
Bearing gifts we traverse afar
Field and fountain, moor and mountain
Following yonder star
Born a King on Bethlehem’s plain
Gold I bring to crown Him again
King forever, ceasing never
Over us all to reign
Ooh-ooh
Star of wonder, star of night
Star with royal beauty bright
Westward leading, still proceeding
Guide us to thy perfect light
Frankincense and myrrh I bring
See Him there our Savior and King
Heaven sings Alleluia
Alleluia the earth will sing
Ooh-ooh-oh
Star of wonder, star of night
Star with royal beauty bright
Westward leading, still proceeding
Guide us to thy perfect light
Oh, guide us to thy perfect light
In the dark we’re not lost
When it’s hard we’re not lost
Don’t lose heart
We’re never truly lost
In the dark we’re not lost
When it’s hard we’re not lost
Don’t lose heart
We’re never truly lost
Star of wonder, star of night
Star with royal beauty bright
Westward leading, still proceeding
Guide us to thy perfect light
Oh, star of wonder, star of night
Star with royal beauty bright
Westward leading, still proceeding
Guide us to thy perfect light
Oh, guide us to thy perfect light
Oh, guide us to thy perfect light
Pause and Reflect
- Are you seeking Jesus Christ?
- Do you know Him?
- In what way has Jesus affected the direction of your life?
Actions to Take
PRAYER:
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SEEKING JESUS:
If you are seeking Jesus Christ, there is a great resource at PeacewithGod.net. We Encourage you to continue the seeking https://peacewithgod.net/.
TALK ABOUT JESUS:
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