We have come to worship Him

We have come to worship Him

Scripture:

After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.”

When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him. When he had called together all the people’s chief priests and teachers of the law, he asked them where the Messiah was to be born. “In Bethlehem in Judea,” they replied, “for this is what the prophet has written:

“‘But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,
are by no means least among the rulers of Judah;
for out of you will come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel.’

Matthew 2:1-6

Observation:

Continuing the account of Jesus’ birth, Matthew focuses the reader’s attention on the coming of Magi from the east to Jerusalem. The precise nature of the Magi are not exactly known and commentators speculate they could have been Zoroaster astrologers from Persia, or even from Arabia or India. However, they came with one purpose – to seek the one born king of the Jews to worship him. Do we seek Jesus to worship Him? Somehow the Magi knew that it was their purpose, and it is our purpose too.  We need to seek Jesus and to worship Him.

Curiously, the Magi came to know about the Lord’s birth through their observation of the stars. Somehow, they recognized the star’s rising as signaling the birth of the King of the Jews. God created the stars in Heaven, and even put in place mysteries in the heavenlies. Over time, the study of stars became linked to the occult, and from the word Magi, we coin the word magic. God can speak to us through different ways, and often not as we expect. He could speak through a star in the sky, strange wise men coming from the East or shepherds in the field. It is for us to open ourselves to the Holy Spirit, and see and hear what God may be saying to us. As was said in the book of Job, God does speak, now one way, now another, though man may not perceive it.

Now King Herod became disturbed because of his jealousy as he felt his position might be threatened by this new king. So he quickly commissioned the chief priests and teachers of the law to tell him where the Messiah would be born. They answered Herod by quoting from Micah 5 where the Messiah would come from Bethlehem. Though Bethlehem was small, she was chosen among all of Judah to be the Lord’s birthplace. Just like the Lord chose young David among all his taller, stronger older brothers, the Lord chose Bethlehem specially. Quite often, throughout Scripture, the Lord purposely chose the lesser things, as said in 1 Corinthians 1:28 God chose the lowly things of the world and the despised things, the things that are not to nullify the things that are.                                                                                               

Application:

Let us seek Jesus to worship Him, not just in church but day by day. That is our purpose and destiny – to worship our Lord. Know that the Lord speaks in different ways to different people. Ask God to open our minds and spiritual eyes and ears to see and hear what He may be saying to us. Thank God that He chooses His own not by outward strength or appearance but by His mercy and grace. All of us can come to God in humility. He desires and honors a humble heart.

Prayer:

Lord Jesus, I seek Your face. I seek You to worship You. May Your name be praised forever. Help me Holy Spirit worship You, Lord Jesus,  in spirit and in truth. Open my mind and ears and heart O Lord to hear what You would say to me, to see what You would show me. I thank You and praise You, Father in Heaven, for You chose the lowly things of the world. May I always be humble before You, Lord. In Jesus name, Amen.