sunday thoughts mailed by Bro Jogy

Worship of the Wise men Text: Matthew 2:1-12 The wise men's coming from East to worship the king of the Jews is a beautiful event which Matthew narrates. Matthew selected this particular event in tune with his purpose to show how the gentiles do have a place in the kingdom of God. What we would be noting here is the passion, preparation and presentation seen in the worship of these wise men. 1. Their passion for Worship. They came from 'east' of Palestine. That can be from any place in Iran or in India or as far as in Afghanistan. They were apparently astronomers. The rise of the star signaled to them the birth of no one less than a king. Jewish people's hope for the Messiah was not a secret for the people around. Merchants and travelers who happened to visit Israel had access to the hope of the Jews for their king. Once they recognized the birth of the king somewhere, although they did not have to bother that so much, still they had the passion to set out in search of this king to pay homage to Him. Their passion drove them to ignore the tediousness of the journey whatever might be the distance and the hassles involved! They went with passion to worship the king. How much is our passion to go to the place where the people of God gather together for worshipping God? 2. Their preparation for worship. They had a purpose in the journey. That was to see and worship the King. They started from home with that preparation! It is not form Palestine they bought some gifts for the king. They carried it all along. Their purpose led to their preparation to worship the king. They never came empty handed to meet the king. As the day of church's worship approaches each week, what is the preparation we make to join God's people to worship God? Are we so casual in our preparation to worship the King? They came with preparation to worship the King. 3. Their Presentation in Worship. They carried with them special gifts that were precious and had predictive significance. When they saw the King, they opened their treasures and presented to Him those gifts: gold, frankincense and myrrh. They presented their best as they worshipped the king. Moreover, they showed their noble attitude to present themselves to the King in worship (cf. v. 11-they fell down and worshipped Him). What do we have to present to God when we approach him in worship? Ought not we to present ourselves as a living sacrifice according to Paul's estimation? (Rom.12:1-2). Was their worship accepted by God? Definitely. The record of this event in the Scriptures attest that. Further divine direction they received (v. 12) also confirms this. They presented themselves and their valuables to worship the king. They definitely did it with rejoicing. What valuable gift we have to present to the king at our worship? Do we present ourselves at worship?