Reading Plan:
Matthew 2:1-12

Our Thoughts:
The manger scene is such a tender display of the magnificent and personal worship brought to Jesus. Each worshipper offered unique adoration to the baby King: Jesus’s parents lovingly cared for Him, the choir of heavenly angels sang praises to the Savior, the lowly shepherds from the countryside of Judea hurried to see the Messiah and shared the Good News with others, and the wise men traveled many miles and months to honor Him with their best.

In today’s reading, we see that after the birth of Jesus the wise men from an eastern country follow Jesus’s star into Jerusalem in search of the newborn king of the Jews. Though they were not at the stable the night Jesus was born, the wise men’s story is a beautiful picture of strangers seeking and reverently giving their best to King Jesus through worship.
The wise men weren’t kings or princes; they were Magi—scholars of astrology, magic, dreams, and other mysterious topics. Most scholars agree that the wise men weren’t Jewish theologians, but instead were Gentiles studying writings from around the world and looking to the sky for answers. Their journey began when a new star appeared, Jesus’s star. The discovery of this star wasn’t a coincidence; it was an invitation. God met these Magi where they were, far from Bethlehem and far from God, and invited them to come to Jesus. The wise men found their new purpose in their quest to honor and worship the newborn King. This is exactly what God did for us by sending Jesus! Wherever we are in life, no matter our background, our past, or our nationality, He invites us to come to Him. Jesus’s birth, life, death, and resurrection are what made it all possible!

After many months of preparation and travel, the wise men arrived in Jerusalem and ask God’s chosen people, “Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We saw his star as it rose, and we have come to worship him. (Matthew 2:2)” This is what the Jewish people had been waiting hundreds of years for, but instead of joy and celebration, the wise men’s question was answered with unease and fear.

“King Herod was deeply disturbed when he heard this, as was everyone in Jerusalem.” Matthew 2:3

I imagine that was not the reaction the Magi had expected to find in Jerusalem, but that did not discourage the wise men in their pursuit of Jesus. When their caravan left for Bethlehem, God didn’t leave them wandering around without answers—the star they had seen at Jesus’s birth reappeared, reassuring and leading the wise men on their journey to the exact house in Bethlehem where they found baby Jesus and his mother. We can trust that Jesus doesn’t leave us alone or without answers in our seeking Him. God has given us His Word as a road map for all and the Holy Spirit as a guide for believers—we just have to look to Him!

With joy and anticipation, the wise men entered the home to find Mary holding baby Jesus. This was the moment they had been awaiting for so long! These men of science and knowledge fell to their knees and presented costly gifts worthy of a king: gold, frankincense, and myrrh. The travelers’ immediate response was to bow in reverence and worship Him as King, and their worship didn’t stop with this one encounter with Jesus. When the Lord warned them not to return to Jerusalem as King Herod had asked, the wise men worshipped through obedience and traveled a different route home.

The wise men show us what it looks like to live a life of worship—unfailingly seeking Jesus, giving Him our best, and obeying Him in all circumstances. That’s what I want my life to look like! Not just coming to sing and hear a message on Sunday, but seeking Jesus every day, giving Him my best efforts, best gifts, and absolute obedience. Like the wise men, our willingness to obey God is an act of worship. Our worship doesn’t stop when we encounter Jesus; it’s only the beginning! As we look at the nativity scene this Christmas, let’s remember how the angels, the shepherds, and the wise men worshipped, and let’s pray that our lives are filled with worship that honors God in the same way.


More Questions:
• Is there anything keeping you from seeking and worshiping Jesus?
• Where do you place your joy/security?
• Who in your circle of friends and family needs to hear the Good News of Jesus this Christmas? As you enjoy time with friends or sit under the tree with family this week, share the story of Jesus's birth, life, death, and resurrection. Also, invite them to Christmas at Venture Worship Experience at 3:30 p.m. and 5:00 p.m. on Christmas Eve, Friday, December 24th.

Prayer:
Lord, you are my joy and my peace. Prepare my heart for worship this Christmas. Reveal my sin and remove my distractions so that my focus is on you alone. I want to honor you with the worship you deserve, not just with my song, but with my life.

Author: Amy Fontenot