Journal Entry: January 2, 2004
“After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time
of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, “Where is the
one born king of the Jews? We saw his star in the east and have come to worship
him.” (Matthew 2:1-2, NIV)
They
left their homeland in order to find the Christ child. They studied ancient
scrolls for several years and knew of the impending birth.
They
traveled the deserts following a star. When they got lost, a king put them on
track again. This king had an evil heart and tried to deceive the travelers
into thinking he, also, wanted to worship the Christ child. An angel showed
them a safe way home.
We,
also, have to “leave our homes” and step outside our borders in order to find
Christ. We have to refrain from our worldly ways and want in order to begin
following Jesus.
Like the
Magi, we travel our lives trying to follow a guide. In our journeys we will
have times of falling off course and then asking the wrong persons how to get
back on track.
Just
like the Magi, we receive help from God delivered through various ways. The
Magi’s help came through an angel. Our help may come through another person, a
sermon. a friend, or from a Christian author.
Sometimes,
I feel I am walking where no one has been before; it’s at these times I find I
am wrong. God has repeatedly led His children through the same ‘unknown’
territory. He does this to either teach us or reward us.
He
rewarded the Magi for their efforts. He allowed them to see the Christ child.
These men were educated men, knowledgeable of the beliefs of this land they
visited. They knew the proper respect for the Messiah.
When
they found the child, they humbled themselves (bowed down) and worshipped Him.
Don’t you think, once we find Him, we should do the same?
UPDATE: By the date, you can tell I wrote this almost eleven
years ago. If I were to rewrite this, I
would include something about how the Magi humbled themselves by the very act
of bowing down before Jesus. Each
morning, as I begin my prayers, I feel humbled that I can go before the King of
Kings and talk to Him, ask His guidance and protection and present requests to
the Son of the Most High. Most of
the time, I find myself worshipful as I enter into a time of prayer. How do you
feel when you enter into prayer, into God’s presence?
Linking to enthusiasticallydawn.