A Christmas ADVENTure 3 of 4. THE WISE WORSHIP CHRIST
They went on their way, and the star they had seen when it rose went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. And after entering the house, they saw the Child with Mary His mother; and they fell down and worshipped Him. Matthew 2:9-11a
Some believe the Magi were kings and that they saw His star rising in the east! But the prophecy of Balaam said His star would rise in the house of Jacob [Israel]. So I think the best way to read this is that they saw His star whilst they were in the east.
Some scholars believe these men were not just astronomers and astrologers but also a form of priests who crowned and inaugurated kings, hence the gold of a crown and the incense oils of coronation anointing. No other high group in Israel crowned Jesus on earth, not the royal leaders nor the religious leaders, but these Gentiles from eastern lands did. The magi were the first gentiles to fall down and worship Christ the incarnated Messiah
The Magi saw the star of Christ’s birth whilst they were probably in Persia some 800-1000 miles away then they made preparations and set off to search for the King of all kings. It probably took them up to two years to get to Bethlehem! Jesus was now a child and not a baby; living in a house and not laying in a manger in a stable! (Matthew 2:11). And what was the first thing they did? They fell to the ground and worshipped Him!
These Magi travelled almost 1000 miles to find the Christ Child to honour and worship Him. It took them about 1-2 years to get to Bethlehem where they spent a few hours or perhaps maybe even a day with Him? They worshipped Him and gave gifts and then they had to set back on the return journey which probably took a lot longer as they had to avoid Herod who wanted them killed for betraying him and they would’ve had to avoid the main routes!
So they would’ve given up possibly 4 years of their lives by the time they got home! Now that’s what I call worship and commitment!!! Now for us, the furthest we have to travel to is the nearest bookshelf to pick up our Bibles and then find the nearest comfy chair, open our Bible and read it, pray it through and apply it or even go to Church! How difficult is that?
May I be bold enough to challenge us all this Christmas time?! Have we found time to get into His presence and worship Him first before anything else? If I have found time, was it worthy of the King of kings? This is no guilt trip I’m trying to put us on! If we start with being in the presence of Jesus then the rest of the day and Christmas time will be much more peaceful than if we forget Him!