Thursday, December 22, 2011

Rejoicing...Worshipping...Gift Giving

I like to think about the process involved in our decisions. What motivated these Gentile Magi to leave the east and travel a long distance with a clear plan…worship and gift giving. One day we’ll have all the answers, but for today. I’m imagining.

This trip was thought out, intentional seeking for a King. This is NOT, “Hey, guys, let’s take a road trip, throw some stuff in a trunk and see where the highway takes us” kind of stuff. How do we know? Because verse 10 says, after much travel, inquiry in Jerusalem and careful searching the star stood still and, “When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy”. Maybe there were “high-fives” and back slapping…or maybe not. Maybe this exceeding joy let them to reverential awe and worship?


Matthew 2:7-11

“7 Then Herod secretly called the magi and determined from them the exact time the star appeared. 8 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.” 9 After hearing the king, they went their way; and the star, which they had seen in the east, went on before them until it came and stood over the place where the Child was. 10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. 11 After coming into the house they saw the Child with Mary His mother; and they fell to the ground and worshiped Him. Then, opening their treasures, they presented to Him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.”

Their joy led them to worship and offer the gifts previously planned for….they had to have planned on giving these gifts, these were expensive thought out things. These were kingly gifts given to the King. This plan started for the magi well before they left the east….faith led them. A star guided them. Rejoicing, worshipping and giving were the end results of intentional seeking. Seek Him and He will be found, that is what wise men (and women) do.

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