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?fFor we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.”
when they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. 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.a nd being warned in a dream not to return to herod, they departed to their own country by another way. [matt 2:1-2, 10-12]
Jesus is worthy of worship.
so worthy that gentile “wise men” of the time travel a long distance to worship the baby Jesus.
think about what that scene must have looked like. a group of grown men who don’t know mary or joseph bowing down to worship a baby, only to be followed with offering valuable gifts… to a baby they don’t know.
these wise men from the east were likely philosophers or astrologers of the time, meaning they would have been interested in the stars and planets. our God was so intentional and so personal to these gentile “wise men” that he spoke to them about his son in a language they would understand: stars.
we serve a jealous God. he will get his worship.
and some of the pharisees in the crowd said to him, “teacher, rebuke your disciples.” he answered, “i tell you, if these were silent, the very stones would cry out.” [luke 19:39-40]
God gave these “wise men” an opportunity to worship the king, and he is extending that same invitation to you and i.
today, let’s worship God who was so intentional and so personal to each of us that he sent is only son to purchase our lives and restore relationship with us.
thank you, Lord!