A weekday morning devotional series written by Aaron Marcarelli and hosted by Chad McBeam
“Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem, saying, “Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we saw His star in the east and have come to worship Him.” When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. And gathering together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Messiah was to be born. They said to him, “In Bethlehem of Judea; for this is what has been written by the prophet: ‘And you, Bethlehem, land of Judah, Are by no means least among the leaders of Judah; For from you will come forth a Ruler Who will shepherd My people Israel.’ ” Then Herod secretly called for the magi and determined from them the exact time the star appeared. And he sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search carefully for the Child; and when you have found Him, report to me, so that I too may come and worship Him.” After hearing the king, they 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 2:1-12 NASB2020
Today we look at the worship of The Magi.
Daniels words regarding The Messiah and that He was to be born in Bethlehem had certainly influenced these wise and educated men from the East (either Persia or Babylon).
God manifested a sign of a Star to guide them, which first appeared at the time of Christ’s birth and then appeared over the home where Mary, Jesus and Joseph were living.
Unfortunately, they stopped in Jerusalem to talk to Herod and he found out through his scribes and their discovery in Micah that The Messiah would be born in Bethlehem. Herod did not want a challenger to his reign. He would have all boy babies age two and younger in Bethlehem killed. He did this after the Magi did not come back to tell him where Jesus was living.
Most of us are aware that the visit of the Magi happened months after Jesus was born. We do not know the reason Mary and Joseph stayed in Bethlehem, when their family was in Nazareth. We know that they had to wait to travel at least 40 days, until Mary was “clean”. Maybe God told Joseph to stay for longer, maybe Joseph got a carpenter job in Bethlehem. Whatever the reason God obviously had a plan.
That plan was to allow the Magi to worship the Messiah. Tradition says these three men had names; Caspar, Melchior and Balthasar. Each brought gifts as a sign of worship to the newborn King. It is said that these gifts were given to recognize Jesus as King (Gold), Son of God, (Frankincense) and The One destined to die (myrrh).
These gifts were given by the Magi as an act of worship. But they also had a practical purpose as well. For we know that Mary, Joseph and Jesus would be leaving Israel and heading to Egypt. The Gold and those spices would serve them well on their journey.
God uses our acts of worship in special ways, more than we know or could ever imagine. All we have to do is, do as God tells us with a joyful heart. It surely won’t be easy, But God will be with us every step of the way.
Lord, you are awesome and amazing! We thank you for your perfect plan and the fruition of that plan through the amazing truth of Jesus birth and all the people you used to show us what true, perfect and pleasing faith is. Help us to have the same faith, to do your will, trusting in you always! In Jesus name Amen…
Shalom and Blessings! Press In and Press On!