Wise Men Still Worship

“They saw the child…and they
bowed down and worshiped him.”
Matthew 2:11 (NIV)

Christianity is grounded in history. Jesus has an actual real birth date in time and history, but He never becomes any more God than He is as a baby. From the beginning Jesus is fully both the Son of God and the Son of Man. The angels and shepherds worship him at his birth; the Magi from the East worship him as a toddler. Before Jesus can even speak, He is bringing down walls of racial prejudice and reconciling men, not just to God, but also to each other. Jews and Gentiles join together in adoration and worship at the Messiah’s long-awaited birth.

“Worship is the ‘thank you’ that can’t be silenced,” writes Max Lucado. Once the wise men saw His star, they were overjoyed and determined to come and worship Jesus.  (Matthew 2:10)

But what about those who should have been coming to worship the newborn King? Why weren’t they coming, seeing, rejoicing, and worshipping with the shepherds and the wise men?

Read the Gospels closely and you will see at least four different reactions to Jesus’ birth:

• King Herod was angry (Matthew 2:16);

• The scribes and Pharisees were apathetic (Matthew 2:4-5);

• Most of Jerusalem was anxious (Matthew 2:2);

• And those who believed the good news of the Gospel adored him (Matthew 2:11).

Anger, apathy, anxiety, or adoration. Those reactions are still available for each of one us. Which one will you choose this Christmas?

“O come, let us adore Him, Christ the Lord.” (O Come All Ye Faithful)