3 WISE MEN WORSHIP F O O T ================================

• H O L D

READING

3 WISE MEN WORSHIP

PRAY Prepare my spirit for worship, Lord, as I read the Bible today.

READ Matthew 2:1-12.

THINK Contrast the reactions of Herod and the Wise Men.

FOCUS ‘Jesus was born’ (1). what a triumphant declaration! Through the centuries God had waited for this moment when his plan of redemption would finally move into full power. These wise men came searching for the ‘King of the Jews’ (2). The star led them, by its appearance, to Judea. Naturally, the first place that they looked was the palace of the king. But Jesus was not there! Herod was a cruel, corrupt king who, it seems, would stop at nothing to retain his power. So he used his privilege and power in an attempt to find the young king. He knew that if he did not find him he would have all eligible candidates killed. Few more cynical words than those in verse 8 have ever been uttered by a human being. The wise men looked again to the star, and God continued to lead them to the place where the child was. By this time Mary, Joseph and Jesus were in a house (11), having moved from the temporary shelter of the stable. Once again try to imagine the scene as these wealthy men fell down and worshipped the child in humble home. And so they gave their gifts: gold – the sign of his kingship, frankincense – used in incense by priests for hundreds of years, myrrh – bitter substance used in burials. Jesus had come to be King, Priest and Sacrifice.

PRAY Take time for praise. As a theme for worship, complete the

sentence: ‘Because Christ was born …’