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Matthew 2:10-11

When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. 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, frankincense and myrrh.

Reflect

We’re all familiar with the Christmas narrative in Matthew. But God’s Old Testament revelation of the time (Daniel 9:24), the place (Micah 5:2),the manner (Isaiah 7:14) of the birth of Jesus, provide a compelling backdrop to this passage from Matthew about the coming Messiah. The wise men were probably from Babylon or Persian, and possibly were an ancestral remnant of the Babylonian captivity. In any case, they must have had access to the scriptures and having discerned the foretold birth, scoured the nighttime sky for the prophesied celestial event (Numbers 24:7). When that occurred they trekked 500-800 miles to see the King of the Jews and our King of Kings! Note that the wise men bowed before him, worshiped him and presented him with traditional gifts worthy of a king. They knew they were part of something remarkable and were overjoyed to be a part of it!

The fulfillment of these particular prophecies and so many others pointing to Jesus’ birth, life, and death should affirm Jesus’ lordship for believers and help us in our witness to a hurting and non-believing world. At this time of Advent shouldn’t we bow down, rejoice that He has come and worship Him with our whole hearts because we get to be a part of it, too?

Pray

Lord, at this special time of year may we remember how and why you entered this world. You humbled yourself, took on the form and flesh of an innocent babe, becoming like us so that through your sacrificial death and resurrection we could be reconciled to yourself. Let us rejoice that the peace that only you can give reigns in our hearts each and every day and is available to anyone who asks you into their heart. Amen.

Bob and Mary Sease