Bow Down and Worship the King

Come, let us bow down in worship, let us kneel before the LORD our Maker; for He is our God and we are the people of His pasture, the flock under His care. 

– Psalm 95:6-7

Growing up, I used to arrange our nativity scene so that the Wise Men stood next to the Shepherds in a ring around Mary, Joseph, and the baby Jesus.  I knew the Wise Men had traveled a long way, so I just assumed that they arrived in time for Jesus’ birth.

I was wrong. 

In reality, their long journey would have taken them up to two years, so the Christ child they bowed down to looked more like a toddler than an infant in a manger.

Here are a few more facts about the Wise Men and Jesus’ birth that I found interesting.  As I listed them, I realized that each one points to an amazing Biblical truth.

• ·         Prophecy foretold the location of the Messiah’s birth hundreds of years before Jesus was born.  “Out of Bethlehem will come a ruler who will be the shepherd of my people Israel.” (Micah 5:2) This scripture resided in all the land around Jerusalem after God’s people were sent into exile. While the Jewish people were in captivity, God’s word continued to spread throughout the land.  God’s word knows no boundaries. 

• ·         The manger scene in Bethlehem is not the first time Jesus shows up in scripture.  Jesus’ presence is found cover to cover from Genesis to Revelations. The whole Bible declares Jesus’ glory.

• ·        We don’t know exactly who the Wise Men were.  They could have been Jewish men anticipating the coming of the Messiah. They could have been astrologers studying ancient manuscripts  We do know that they came from different lands, symbolizing that Jesus came for the whole world, not just the people living in and around Jerusalem.

• ·         Each gift the Wise Men gave has significant meaning.  Gold was a gift for a King.  Incense was a treasure for deity.  And Myrrh was a burial spice given to foreshadow Jesus’ death.  Jesus was worthy of such treasures because He is God’s greatest gift ever given.  He is our King of Kings, God made flesh, and Savior.

Wisdom and understanding are gifts given to you by God when you search the scriptures and seek to know God more.  As 2016 comes to a close, look back and remember things God has shared with you this year.  Thank Him and continue to seek His endless wisdom.

The Power of Giving God Thanks Will Ignite Your Faith and Change Your World!

Thank You for Being a part of the 3 O’Clock Wake Up Movement