A Heart of Worship
ICS Daily Devotions

Matthew 2:1-2,11 (NKJV) Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, saying, “Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the East and have come to worship Him.”…. And when they had come into the house, they saw the young Child with Mary His mother, and fell down and worshiped Him. And when they had opened their treasures, they presented gifts to Him: gold, frankincense, and myrrh.

The wise men (or Magi in some translations) were astrologers who believed that the movement of the stars indicated the movement of kings and leaders. Their act of falling and worshipping Jesus was not a normal civil homage to a petty Jewish king, but rather a spiritual homage as proven by their actions of opening their treasures and presenting them rather than offering gifts to Jesus. When they found Him, they knelt in worship.

Revelation 17:14 (NKJV) These will make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb will overcome them, for He is Lord of lords and King of kings; and those who are with Him are called, chosen, and faithful.”

The wise men showed us the way to honour and worship the King is through gifts, and what was befitting for a king was gold. Therefore, we are to worship God with our tithes and offerings. Are we honouring and worshipping the Lord with what He has blessed us with?

They presented frankincense which was an aromatic that was often used in sacrificial offerings by the priest in the temple. Jesus is our great High Priest who offered up His blood the ultimate sacrifice in the heavenly Tabernacle to bring about reconciliation between God and men.

They also presented myrrh which was used in perfuming ointments and the embalmment of the dead. The intent of Jesus’ birth was to be the ultimate sacrifice through His death on the cross.

In these three gifts, we see who He is, what He came to do, and what it cost Him.

Psalm 95:6 (NKJV) Oh come, let us worship and bow down; Let us kneel before the Lord our Maker.

The wise men did not come in search of favour or to obtain something from Jesus, but to worship Him for who He is. God is looking for worshippers, and worship is a place of intimacy with God. God wants us to love Him with all our heart, soul, and mind. We need to have a heart of worship just like the wise men.

Sermon Series: His Name is Jesus