The joys and celebrations of Christmas by now seem like a distant memory. In Church we have moved from the season of Christmas to the season of Epiphany. The 12th day of Christmas brings us to the 6th January, which marks the Feast of Epiphany (or more commonly known as Old Christmas Day). On this day we are encouraged to think about the Wise Men/ Magi and how they followed a star, which lead them to the infant child, the Lord Jesus, in Bethlehem. While we can’t be sure exactly how many there were, how far they travelled, or for how long their journey took, we can be sure of what their intentions were. “We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him” (Matthew 2:2).
Matthew continues on to tell us what exactly happened when their search came to an end. “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” (Matthew 2:11). From this verse we learn three very significant things that we should apply to our own lives.
Firstly, “On coming to the house, they saw” – It is good for us to gather together in God’s House. I know that scripture tells us that God does not dwell in houses made by man (Acts 7:48) but desires to dwell in our lives. However, the Wise Men came together for a common purpose. That’s what we do when we come to Church, we gather together for a common purpose (Acts 2:44, Hebrews 10:25).
Secondly – “They bowed down and worshipped him” – The first thing the Wise Men did was to worship Jesus. As followers of Jesus, our purpose in life should be to worship Him (Romans 12:1). All that we do, think, and say, should bring Glory to God and point others to Him. Worship isn’t only for Sunday’s and curtailed to what happens in a church building. We worship God 24/7.
Thirdly – “They presented him with gifts” – The gifts which the Wise Men presented to Jesus represented various aspect of His life and purpose here on earth. As part of our worship we should also present Jesus with a gift - the offering of our lives (James 4:7). The Lord Jesus desires nothing more than for us to give Him first priority in everything that we do.
This leaves us with a final question - Are you, and I, following the example of the Wise Men in ‘Coming to Jesus’, ‘Worshipping Jesus’, and ‘Giving our lives to Jesus’?
Matthew continues on to tell us what exactly happened when their search came to an end. “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” (Matthew 2:11). From this verse we learn three very significant things that we should apply to our own lives.
Firstly, “On coming to the house, they saw” – It is good for us to gather together in God’s House. I know that scripture tells us that God does not dwell in houses made by man (Acts 7:48) but desires to dwell in our lives. However, the Wise Men came together for a common purpose. That’s what we do when we come to Church, we gather together for a common purpose (Acts 2:44, Hebrews 10:25).
Secondly – “They bowed down and worshipped him” – The first thing the Wise Men did was to worship Jesus. As followers of Jesus, our purpose in life should be to worship Him (Romans 12:1). All that we do, think, and say, should bring Glory to God and point others to Him. Worship isn’t only for Sunday’s and curtailed to what happens in a church building. We worship God 24/7.
Thirdly – “They presented him with gifts” – The gifts which the Wise Men presented to Jesus represented various aspect of His life and purpose here on earth. As part of our worship we should also present Jesus with a gift - the offering of our lives (James 4:7). The Lord Jesus desires nothing more than for us to give Him first priority in everything that we do.
This leaves us with a final question - Are you, and I, following the example of the Wise Men in ‘Coming to Jesus’, ‘Worshipping Jesus’, and ‘Giving our lives to Jesus’?
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