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Scripture: Matthew 2:1-12
By Dr. Joseph W. Henderson
Sunday, December 13, 2009
KingdomView, Vol. 1, Issue 9
Many of us are preparing Christmas lists to purchase gifts for family members and friends as a gesture of love in the spirit of giving. For believers, it’s a time to reflect on the greatest gift of all, the Christ-child, who was born in Bethlehem nearly two thousand years ago. I want to encourage us not to forget to place God on our Christmas list too this holiday season. This thought raises an important question: "What can I give God as a gift?" The Bible suggests a plethora of things such as helping the poor (Deuteronomy 15:7-11), the widows and orphans (Deuteronomy 26:12); and feeding and clothing the needy and incarcerated (Matthew 25:35-36). However, there’s another gift that we can give God and that’s worship. This Christmas and for the rest of our lives let us give God (the Christ-child) what the Magi gave him: ". . . They bowed and worshiped Him . . . ." Give God the gift of worship (Matthew 2:11).
The expression of the worship rendered by the Magi to the Christ-child was demonstrated in their bearing of three precious gifts: gold, incense, and myrrh. Genuine worship is precious to God (John 4:24). Herod the Great informed the Magi that he wanted to worship the Christ-child who is born king of the Jews (Matthew 2:7-8). Herod was a ruthless and illegitimate king. Being Edomite, he and his family were nominally Jewish, and he was installed by Rome to rule over Jerusalem. Herod the Great really wanted to kill the Christ-child to ensure the security of his throne. Therefore, his desire to worship the Christ-child was insincere. We contend with the spiritual persona of Herod daily that seeks to rob us of our worship of God: spiritual conflict, strife, fear and doubt, anxiety and worry, religiosity, and other forms of demonic assault that wants to hinder our worship of the true and living God. Again, the Magi, who traveled a great distance to worship the King of kings and Lord of lords, did not allow anything to hinder their objective ¾ the worship of the king of the Jews (Matthew 2:2).
Religiosity can cause you to miss the opportunity to render true worship to the Christ-child (God). Notice in our selected text (Matthew 2:1-12) that Herod inquired of the religious leaders in Jerusalem as to the time and birth place of the Christ-child (Matthew 2:4-6). The chief priests and the teachers of the law (Pharisees) did not seek to worship the Christ-child after the Magi disclosed the requested information to Herod. They were aware of the significance of Herod’s inquiry (Matthew 2:3). Instead, gentiles (the Magi) sought out the worship of the Christ-child. My brothers and sisters, religion is not the answer, but a personal relationship with Christ through the new birth is. Worship is paramount for the believer. It must be genuine and authentic, done in spirit and truth (John 4:24). The Bible is replete with expressions and gestures of worship. I would like to mention seven that are available for our use in expressing our affection for our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Therefore, the next time you are unctioned by the Spirit of the living God to worship Him then enjoy one or more of these expressions of worship:
Psalms 95:6
O come, let us worship and bow down: let us kneel before the Lord our maker. KJV
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