Tag Archives: bible

Wise Men Worship

(Matthew 2:1-2) – “Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, saying, “Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we have seen His Star in the East and have come to worship Him.”

A couple of thoughts on the above two lines:

Firstly, we know that when Jesus was born in Bethlehem, there was an announcement made to the shepherds through the angels in Luke 2:12.  An angel of the Lord stood before the shepherds and the glory of the Lord shone around them and they were afraid.  But angel reassures them and says – For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12 And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.” (Luke 2:11-12).

Secondly, far away in the East, there was a group of wise men (magi), who were astronomers and spent their time studying the stars.  Youngs analytical concordance refers to them as Persian astronomers.  They saw a special star suddenly come out of nowhere, which caught their interest and then began to research it.  Interesting that they received a sign or call from God while they were busy in their normal pursuits.

Through their inquiry and search in the prophets, they came to realize that this star was a sign about something special about to happen (Numbers 24:17 – Out of Jacob, will come a star…).

Jerusalem:  They followed the star and reached Jerusalem and Bethlehem where it stood still over the place where Jesus was born. These Magi were Gentiles, remember.

Gentiles:  It is interesting that the message of the Saviour’s birth was sent to the shepherds (Jews) and the Magi (Gentiles).  This clearly indicates that He Jesus was born into our world for all mankind who were just two groups at that time – Jews and Gentiles.  A beautiful picture of the love of God sent to cover all.

Arrival:  When they arrived at the place where the star stood still, they found the Saviour – Jesus the King of the Jews.

Three things we can learn: 

First, they sought the King.  We are clearly told, that if we seek, we will find, when we search for Him with all our hearts. (Matthew 7:7; Jer 29:13).  One of the main reasons why they are called “wise men” is because they sought the Lord, not because they studied the stars.  The whole earth reflects the glory of the Lord, and even if you are studying the stars, it will point to the glory of the Lord. They sought and found the One who created the stars. Besides the embodiment of all Truth and Wisdom is founded in Christ alone. “God looks down from heaven on humankind to see if there are any who are wise, who seek after God” (Psalm 53:2) NRSV

When they found Him, they worshipped Him!  11 “And when they had come into the house, they saw the young Child with Mary His mother, and fell down and worshiped Him (Mt 2:11a).

Second, they followed the signs God gave them till they found Him.  And when they found Him, they worshipped Him, for they had found the King. What a joy to know that their study of the stars and their long journey had not been in vain.  What a joy to know that God can lead us through anything, if we set our hearts to find him.

Thirdly, after they worshipped Him: – “And when they had opened their treasures, they presented gifts to Him: gold, frankincense, and myrrh” (Mt 2:11b).

Interesting to note that the word for “gifts” is “dóron” – which means gifts or offerings.  The Greek word “dóron” primarily refers to a gift or offering – it is used to denote something given freely and generously, without expectation of return. In the New Testament, “dóron” is frequently associated with offerings given to God as an act of worship.

We see here three steps involved in the search of these wise men:

  1. They sought for the King and they found Him. (Seek and you will find)
  2. They found the King and they worshipped Him. (Worshipped)
  3. Next, they brought forth from their treasures (hearts), an offering of gold, frankincense and myrrh.

Note: For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also (Mt 6:21). Their hearts were filled with devotion and love for their great find – The Lord Jesus Christ! We bring an offering from our hearts as our act of worship!

The Bible Speaks Today – Communion through the Word

Such communion with the Lord through His Word does eight things as shown in the following eight verses taken from Psalm 119:129-136:

  1. Wonder leads to obedience: (v. 129 – Your testimonies are wonderful; therefore, my soul keeps them).  It comprehends the wonderfulness of God’s Word and as a result causes David (the Psalmist) to observe (obey) its testimonies. People obey God’s Word for different reasons. Some out of fear, punishment, wanting blessings, etc. But when we see the beauty and wonder of the Scriptures, we also begin to understand the ugliness of sin and the cheapness of the what the world has to offer. If we are not acquainted with God’s testimonies, it is a sign that we do not admire them.
  2. Obedience leads to understanding: (v. 130 – The entrance of Your words gives light; It gives understanding to the simple). It involves the entrance (pētăh, opening, explanation, unfolding) of God’s words, giving light and understanding to the simple.  This light of the Word comes into our hearts and minds and brings spiritual insight and understanding (2 Corinthians 4:1-6).  The Word of God is the main means by which the Spirit of God enlightens the understanding of all that are sanctified. It provides light in a dark place. The word “entrance” is translated “unfolding” in some bible versions.  When Spirit-led teachers and preachers “open up” the Word, then the light of God’s truth shines forth and brings about spiritual transformation (2 Corinthians 3:18).
  3. Understanding leads to deeper desire: (v. 131 – I opened my mouth and panted, for I longed for Your commandments). It develops an intense longing for God’s commandments (Job 29:23; Psalm 42:1). The psalmist panted, longed for God’s Word as a fainting person pants for water. When David had departed from the Word of God for a season, he longed to be restored to them again and when it happened, he greedily sucked in the Word of God as new-born babes desire the milk. For one in communion with God, the Word of God is the only thing that can really satisfy the deepest longings of the heart.  As a suffocating person pants for air or a thirsty person for water, so the child of God pants for the Word of God, and nothing else will satisfy.
  4. Desire leads to love for God: (v. 132 – Look upon me and be merciful to me, as Your custom is toward those who love Your name). It gives understanding of God’s ways in grace. The Psalmist pleaded for a manifestation of that grace to him. Just as children long to share the love of their parents, so the child of God experiences God’s love through the Word. To love God’s name is to love God, for His name reveals all that He is. David does not ask for things from God’s hand, but only for pure mercy.
  5. God’s love leads to guidance and freedom: (v. 133 – Direct my steps by Your word, and let no iniquity have dominion over me). It orders the believers life so that no iniquity overpowers him.  David prays that God will order his steps into the right way so that all his steps are under the guidance of God’s grace. Only when one’s steps are ordered (established) in the Word, is the power of sin broken in the life.  When we experience the love of God in our hearts, we keep His commandments (John 14:15), and obedience to His commandments sets us free from the slavery of sin (Romans 6:12-16).  Sin has no dominion over us. 
  6. Freedom in Christ brings us God’s blessings: (v. 134 – Redeem me from the oppression of man, that I may keep Your precepts). It purifies and exalts human motives.  Deliverance from the oppression of man is that the Lord’s precept might be observed, but not for selfish reasons. We are also free from the oppression of people and the enslavement it can bring.  We are bought with a price and should not become slaves of men (1 Corinthians 7:23).  David prays for freedom from his enemies which were men, so that he would be free to worship God and keep His precepts.
  7. God’s blessings mean God’s smiles: (v. 135 – Make Your face shine upon Your servant, and teach me Your statutes). It makes the favour and fellowship of God of paramount importance. God’s face shining upon His servant is supreme bliss and the proper spiritual climate to be taught God’s statutes. David asks not for corn and wine, for silver and gold, but asks; “make thy face to shine upon your servant.”  In other words, let me be accepted by you and let me know that I am so.  Comfort me with the light of your countenance in every dark and cloudy day.
  8. Man’s rejection of God’s Word brings tears: (v. 136 – Rivers of water run down from my eyes, because men do not keep Your law). It produces loving concern about the condition of the lost. The Psalmist’s eyes sheds streams of tears over those who did not keep God’s Law. David weeps rivers of tears.  Usually, where there is a gracious heart, there is a weeping eye, in conformity with Christ, who was a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief. David wept not for his own troubles but for the dishonor done to God.