Starting a Journey with Jesus, Day 5 (Matthew 2:7-12)
What gift do you have that you bring to worship Jesus?
Then Herod secretly called the Magi and found out from them the time the star had appeared. He sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go search and inquire about the child. When you find him, report it to me, so that I may also go and worship him.”
After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and there was star which they had seen in the east, and it went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they were overwhelmed with joy. When they came to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him and they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. Warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they withdrew and returned to their country by another way. (Matthew 2:7-12)
Notice the contrasts between King Herod and the Magi. The Magi came to Jerusalem openly, eagerly seeking the king. Herod inquires secretly and he is anxious and disturbed about this baby born to be king.
When the Magi find the baby, they are overjoyed and worship. Herod never finds the baby and his deceptive ploy (“so I may worship him too”) is foiled because God warns the Magi in a dream.
The Magi bring treasures and gifts fitting for a king. Hearts that are seeking, that are open will be overjoyed at finding, will fall down and worship. Deceptive and scheming minds will be frustrated, left out of the divine communication.
Worship leaves us more open and receptive to God, to hear both warnings and encouragement. Worship also sometimes requires extra effort, a cost, a sacrifice and even a risk on our part. What works against true worship is seeking safety instead of sacrifice, comfort instead of risk, calculation instead of adoration
Prayer: Holy God, Immanuel: Thank You for coming! I worship and adore You. Today, I give my heart, my time, my treasure to You. Even if You don’t use it up today, it is Yours to use when and how you like.
King of Glory, speak to me and guide me in the way of worship. Give me wisdom, but most of all, give me a keener sense of Your presence. Let me feel joy, awe and wonder before You. Amen!”
What gift do you bring in worship? How are drawn to sincerely seek the mysteries of God?
