Herod opposed the new King. The Jewish religious leaders ignored him. The Magi, the wise men, came to worship. They probably knew something about the Jewish prophecies from Daniel and some of the other Old Testament prophets who had actually lived in their part of the world at one time. They may even have been familiar with Balaam’s prophecy in Num 24.17-19
Because they believed, they traveled a long distance for the purpose of worship. But notice that it wasn’t just God they came to worship in the presence of this baby. It was the Child himself who was the focus of their worship. Verses 10-11 of Matthew 2 tell us that they rejoiced, they saw the child, and they fell down and worshipped him, acknowledging the greatness and authority of the child. This child was worthy of worship. The word “worship” means to kiss toward or to fall on your knees touching the ground with your forehead, or to kneel and show obeisance. The text says that they “fell down and worshiped him.” (vs 11) NAS says they “fell to the ground and worshiped him.” They prostrated themselves before this child.
The magi had nothing to gain by traveling to show respect to the new king. They came simply to worship. It almost seems like an anti-climax. They see a star. They journey for months. They likely dream, talk and debate about what they are going to find. They finally arrive at Jerusalem and ask directions at the palace of the king. I’m sure what they found there confused them. Shouldn’t they have known all about this new king at the palace? But, they find the star again and are led to a house. They kneel, worship, offer their gifts, and then they head home. If they had come seeking some great spiritual adventure, perhaps it was an anti-climax, but that was not why they had come. They recognized the significance of the birth, and the authority of the child, so they came to worship.
Worship does not begin by seeking personal fulfillment, although personal fulfillment is often found in worship. It does not begin by seeking joy, although joy often accompanies worship. Worship begins when our heart recognizes the authority of the king and bows in humble submission to His Highness.
[17] I see him, but not now;
I behold him, but not near:
a star shall come out of Jacob,
and a scepter shall rise out of Israel;
it shall crush the forehead of Moab
and break down all the sons of Sheth.
[18] Edom shall be dispossessed;
Seir also, his enemies, shall be dispossessed.
Israel is doing valiantly.
[19] And one from Jacob shall exercise dominion
and destroy the survivors of cities!”
The magi had nothing to gain by traveling to show respect to the new king. They came simply to worship. It almost seems like an anti-climax. They see a star. They journey for months. They likely dream, talk and debate about what they are going to find. They finally arrive at Jerusalem and ask directions at the palace of the king. I’m sure what they found there confused them. Shouldn’t they have known all about this new king at the palace? But, they find the star again and are led to a house. They kneel, worship, offer their gifts, and then they head home. If they had come seeking some great spiritual adventure, perhaps it was an anti-climax, but that was not why they had come. They recognized the significance of the birth, and the authority of the child, so they came to worship.
Worship does not begin by seeking personal fulfillment, although personal fulfillment is often found in worship. It does not begin by seeking joy, although joy often accompanies worship. Worship begins when our heart recognizes the authority of the king and bows in humble submission to His Highness.
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