Not long ago, I did quite a bit of research on the "wise men" (or Magi) which are mentioned in the scriptures for a Christmas message I was going to give at a women's tea or something. I remember sinking into the reality of the 900 miles or more that those Gentiles traveled...leaving their homes, families, friends, jobs and country for at LEAST a year to get to a newborn King that was prophesied about by foreigners. Did I mention it was on camel back rather than an SUV? The age of no cell phones or Blackberry's? Charles H. Spurgeon writes:“Traveling was extremely difficult in those times. There were hostile tribes to avoid, the broad rivers of the Tigris and the Euphrates to cross, and trackless deserts to penetrate; but they made nothing of difficulty or danger. They set out for Jerusalem, and to Jerusalem they came, seeking the King of the Jews."
These men were not filled with the power of the Holy Spirit nor did they have the New Testament. They could not stand on all the promises of God when their lives were in danger or when they lost more than two years of their salary. Children were growing up without them while loved ones and friends were completely out of contact. They had no assurance that they would be allowed to get close to this promised King, but they were not content with just the knowledge that Jesus had come. They risked everything, including their own lives, to get to Him...to worship Him...and to give to Him.
We do not have to travel by miserable means across horrendous terrain battling enemies without and within to get to Jesus. It does not take a year to 18 months to be able to look up towards His face. It doesn't take incredible wealth and gifts of gold to bless this Messiah.
It takes a mere moment for the eyes of the heart to look across universes, skip through galaxies and traverse infinity into the very Presence of this gracious King. It takes one more moment for the heart to speak, with or without words, of its sincere love and devotion and gratitude to the One Who came 2,000 years ago.
Merry Christmas everyone.
All of that to do two things: to worship...and to give.
These men were not filled with the power of the Holy Spirit nor did they have the New Testament. They could not stand on all the promises of God when their lives were in danger or when they lost more than two years of their salary. Children were growing up without them while loved ones and friends were completely out of contact. They had no assurance that they would be allowed to get close to this promised King, but they were not content with just the knowledge that Jesus had come. They risked everything, including their own lives, to get to Him...to worship Him...and to give to Him.
We do not have to travel by miserable means across horrendous terrain battling enemies without and within to get to Jesus. It does not take a year to 18 months to be able to look up towards His face. It doesn't take incredible wealth and gifts of gold to bless this Messiah.
It takes a mere moment for the eyes of the heart to look across universes, skip through galaxies and traverse infinity into the very Presence of this gracious King. It takes one more moment for the heart to speak, with or without words, of its sincere love and devotion and gratitude to the One Who came 2,000 years ago.
I pray none of us are content with just knowing that He came this Christmas, but your heart makes a journey to worship...and to give...to the King of Kings and Lord of Lords.
Merry Christmas everyone.
