Verse: Matthew 2:1-12
After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem 2 and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews?” We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him.” 3 When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him. 4 When he had called together all the people’s chief priests and teachers of the law, he asked them where the Christ was to be born. 5 “In Bethlehem in Judea,” they replied, “for this is what the prophet has written: “’ 6 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 be the shepherd of my people Israel.’”
7 Then Herod called the Magi secretly and found out from them the exact time the star had appeared. 8 He sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and make a careful search for the child. As soon as you find him, report to me, so that I too may go and worship him.”9 After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen in the easts went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. 10 When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. 11 On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold and of incense and of myrrh.
Devotion
Matthew writes in the second chapter of his book about three Magi, or wise men, that came from the east seeking a baby that was “born king of the Jews.” They were not Jews but they were open to the news and they saw the light, the star that led them to Jesus. And they were prepared. They came with gifts – gold, incense and myrrh.
These gifts have a spiritual meaning. Gold was given because Jesus was a king. Incense was given as an act of worship and recognition of his divinity. Myrrh (an embalming oil) was a gift given to recognize his mortality and his death. Of course, they also had practical value for Mary and Joseph.
For us this Christmas, are we open to the good news of Jesus? Are we willing to follow the light that comes from listening and looking for Jesus in our every day lives? And are we ready to respond with the gift of our lives that have both spiritual and practical value?
I’m writing this later than I expected due to the busyness of this week. I’m guessing that you are also feeling stressed with buying gifts, wrapping them, and baking goodies. But take a few seconds today to remember why we are doing this. Remember to be “wise ones” that are coming to Jesus again this season to worship and adore him. That is the most important thing on your to do list this week!
Prayer
Lord Jesus, we worship you. You are our savior and our God. Thank you for coming to earth as a baby and living with us and dying for us to save us from our sins. Help us to live the good news now and forever.
Author: Brad Dunn
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