After hearing the king, they [the magi] went on their way; and behold, the star, which they had seen in the east, went on ahead of them until it came to a stop over the place where the Child was to be found. When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. And after they came into the house, they saw the Child with His mother Mary; and they fell down and worshiped Him. Then they opened their treasures and presented to Him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. And after being warned by God in a dream not to return to Herod, the magi left for their own country by another way. Matthew 2: 9-12 (NASB)
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Luke's and Matthew's gospels report the responses of various groups of people to the arrival of the Jewish King. While the common people are excited and amazed by what God is doing, the religious leaders are more worried about the political repercussions than the religious significance of the birth of their King. Amazingly, the Gentiles come to worship Jesus and bring him gifts. God uses the magi's own beliefs to alert them to the arrival of a King and they respond appropriately. King Jesus came not only for the Jews, but for the Gentiles as well.
The magi, sages from the east, enter the house and worship Jesus. Worship is a natural first response when encountering God. It is our awe, praise and love given to a transcendent, mysterious God who is superior to us in every way but who nevertheless desires a relationship with us. As a baby, Jesus demonstrates for us a God who is willing to completely humble himself in order to become our Savior. It is a foreshadowing of the rest of God's story. Jesus not only takes on our humanity but also is self-sacrificial in his life and death in order to show us the way and provide forgiveness.
Next, the magi present gifts appropriate for a king: gold, frankincense and myrrh. What can we present to God today? David tells us, “The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; A broken and a contrite heart, God, You will not despise.” (Psalm 51:17 NASB) Paul tells the Romans “to present your bodies as a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. ” (Romans 12:1 NASB). God wants all that we are, heart, soul, mind and strength, presented to him in a life lived as Jesus lived, in love and humility, grace and truth. Lord, help us each to be a worthy Christmas gift for you!
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Holy God, I magnify you as I consider the mercy, love, grace and humility I see demonstrated through Jesus in the Christmas incarnation. I thank you for revealing yourself to me so that I can come before you in worship. Please help me daily to be a living and holy sacrifice that is acceptable to you. Glory to God in everything! Amen.
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“Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. www.lockman.org”
Illustration from Good News Productions International and College Press Publishing
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