Wise Men Worship
Matthew 2:1-11 KJV
2 Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem,
2 Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.
3 When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him.
4 And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he demanded of them where Christ should be born.
5 And they said unto him, In Bethlehem of Judaea: for thus it is written by the prophet,
6 And thou Bethlehem, in the land of Juda, art not the least among the princes of Juda: for out of thee shall come a Governor, that shall rule my people Israel.
7 Then Herod, when he had privily called the wise men, enquired of them diligently what time the star appeared.
8 And he sent them to Bethlehem, and said, Go and search diligently for the young child; and when ye have found him, bring me word again, that I may come and worship him also.
9 When they had heard the king, they departed; and, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was.
10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy.
11 And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense and myrrh.
12 And being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way.
My pastor preached a message called “Wise Men Worship” a few weeks ago and it has stuck with me, and I want to try and convey what God has been dealing with me from his sermon.
We are now on the other side of Christmas, and many have made Christmas into different things but there is one thing that we need to be reminded about in this time that we celebrate, this time of the invisible God coming in flesh and that is worship.
We read in the text 2 Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.
These men left everything they had and all their responsibilities to look for this baby to be born King of the Jews to worship him. This was no small task as some say it may have taken up to two years to travel to reach their destination to worship him.
Nowadays if we don’t receive an immediate response or receive our answer quickly, we start to try and figure things out ourselves. Think of this long journey that these men traveled, never giving up on the mission to worship the King of the Jews.
Why do we worship Jesus? Is it because of what he has done for you? Is it because you need something? Will you worship if you lose everything? Do you worship if you’re sick? What is your reason to worship the King?
Jesus is worthy of all worship even if He did nothing for you! Jesus is worthy of worship just because He is God!
We thank God that He came to this earth manifest in the flesh, because scripture tells us He is touched by the feelings of our infirmities. Because He came in that manger and in the flesh, He has experienced loneliness, betrayal, hurt, pain.
Hebrew 4:15-16 KJV
15 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.
16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.
We face many things in this life that depends on how we respond to the situation is what we get.
Philippians 4:6-7 NKJV
6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; 7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
Scripture says to be anxious for nothing, That’s a commandment for the LORD!
You say but you don’t know what I’m going through…
Does it fall in the category of ANYTHING? Then scripture says be anxious for nothing!
But I have bills to pay, my fridge broke down, I’ve got this going on or that going on.
So, this is like telling someone to not be angry anymore, If I could stop being angry, I’d stop being angry. If I could stop being anxious I would.
But Paul didn’t stop at don’t be anxious but went on to say; but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God;
Doesn’t matter what is going on! but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God;
Get in your prayer closet and with thanksgiving/worship let your request be made known to God! Yes, God already knows what you’re going through but He wants to hear it from you with thanksgiving! That you know where your help comes from! That you know who to worship! The posture of your prayer is crucial. Let your supplications be known unto Him but when you do it do it with an attitude of worship, an attitude of praise, with an attitude of thanksgiving!
Why do we do this? Because the rest of the scripture says, 7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
If we stop complaining and get into the presence of Jesus, the peace of God will come into your life! Why? Because He is the Prince of Peace, Prince of Shalom! The peace that doesn’t make any sense! He will guard your heart and mind through Christ Jesus!
Why do you worship? Let me tell you why I worship, because that baby that came in a manger is worthy of ALL my worship, He is worthy of ALL the worship! Before he ever does one thing in my life, He is worthy of praise and worship!
The wise men traveled for up to 2 years to find Him and when they get there, they offer the gift of gold (which is the gift given to kings), they understand that this little baby in the manger was the King of Kings and Lord of Lord’s.
They gave him frankincense (which is what priest used in temple worship), they understand that he was more than just a man, but the High Priest.
They gave him myrrh (which was something to take pain away and for embalming), which they might not have fully understood that Jesus was not only the King, not only the High Priest, but He was also the sacrifice.
They worshipped Him before He did one miracle, healing, feed 5,000.
I come to worship Him as King, as my High Priest, and as the sacrifice that took my sins away.
They came to worship Him not being empty handed but having gifts to offer. And after they worshipped Him, they got up and left a different way (after being warned of God in a dream).
This is what I know about worshippers, that when you come as a worshipper, you come and give God the praise of which He is worthy. It does not matter what you have been through, how long the journey has been, how tired you are, but when you get in the presence of Jesus, I promise you that you will leave differently than the way that you came!
My prayer today is that we all can worship Jesus the way He deserves worshipped!
REV. Thomas Whitmore
ChaplinToledo Chapter
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