This Sunday in church, this was our Pastor’s title: “Six Miles From Jesus”. In Matthew 2, we read about the journey of the wise men to visit the newborn King.
King Herod was troubled at the news, when these wise men came asking “Where is He who has been born King of the Jews?” He was a king who murdered anyone who got his way. He was very paranoid, he was very HOSTILE.
an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, “Rise, take the child and his mother, and flee to Egypt, and remain there until I tell you, for Herod is about to search for the child, to destroy him.” Matthew 2:13
The chief priests and scribes were sought out by King Herod….
and assembling all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. 5 They told him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for so it is written by the prophet:
6 “‘And you, O Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,
are by no means least among the rulers of Judah;
for from you shall come a ruler
who will shepherd my people Israel.’” Matthew 2:4-6
They KNEW the truth, but did they go with the Wise Men to seek out this King? They felt APATHY, they were indifferent. They did not really care to know more…. They did not really want to meet this ruler….
The Wise Men were definitely interested. They probably traveled 1000’s of miles to see Christ! “We have come to worship Him”.
9 After listening to the king, they went on their way. And behold, the star that they had seen when it rose went before them until it came to rest over the place where the child was. 10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. 11 And going into the house they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh. Matthew 2:9-11
These were HUMBLE men. As soon as they saw Jesus (child), they fell down and worshiped HIM, the KING of KINGS, and LORD of LORDS. They also gave Him costly gifts. Worship of Christ was their sole purpose…
What is our purpose?
Are we paranoid about everyone? What are their motives in how they relate to me? Do we have the mentality, “I will hurt them first”?
Do we have all the knowledge? We know the Bible? Do we think, “I know enough, so I don’t need to go…. (to church, read the Bible, etc)”?
Or are we humble people? Do we worship at Jesus’ feet? Are we willing to be taught? to read God’s Word? to go and meet Him?
Jesus commands to us: Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, Matthew 28:19.
We are to share the GOOD news that Jesus (God’s Son, our Creator), the Perfect sinless “Lamb of God”, died on the cross for our sins. He took our place, our punishment. He was buried, and He rose again, on the 3rd day. He is our Risen LORD and KING! He won the victory over sin’s penalty of death.
We are all sinners. We all deserve the death penalty. Nothing we do, we can never earn our salvation. We must humbly come to Jesus and accept this free gift of salvation. This little baby, we celebrate in the manger; would grow up and be this Man / God who would die on the cross. He came humbly (KING of KINGS, and LORD of LORDS) as a baby in a lowly manger – to take our place. He is waiting with open arms, for you to accept His great gift of life!
I pray that you will humbly come and worship our KING of KINGS, and LORD of LORDS!!!
I thank you Jesus for your Great Grace – that you would die in our place….
