Scripture

Coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshipped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold and of incense and of myrrh.

Observation

Some wise men from the east come to Jerusalem and ask, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews?”

King Herod is disturbed by this, so he asks the religious leaders where the Christ is to be born. They tell him Bethlehem. Herod sends the Magi to Bethlehem and ask them to report back to him when they find him.

They follow the star to Bethlehem, where they find Jesus. They worship him and present their gifts to him. Then they return home without passing through Jerusalem.

Application

The true response to Jesus is to worship him and give him our gifts.

To worship means to honour with our hearts, expressing love and devotion to Him. Worship should never be a dull ritual, because the Lord is the focal point of our attention. We should feel awe, perhaps even fear.

Having worshipped the Lord we give him our gifts. Our money is His and everything we own. Our ambitions and plans need to be given to Him, in fact our whole life belongs to Him.

Salvation is free, but discipleship costs us everything.

Prayer

Lord Jesus, I worship you and offer back to you all that I am and have. Please help me to live for you alone. Amen.