Jesus

Worshipping Like Wise Men

December 21, 2020 by Ellen Leave a Comment

Today’s reading: Matthew 2:1-12

I can’t fib here, or skirt around the truth: I struggle with worship. Oh, I can praise God for Who He is: God of love, faithful, healer, jealous, provider. I can thank Him for all He does: answers prayer, protects.

But worship? If I praise God for who He is, how then do I worship Him? Because we all know it’s more than just singing songs.

So, I looked to the Magi.

They were foreigners from the East. Although the Magi were Gentiles, they knew what was written by the prophets about Messiah. They followed the star that led to Jesus.

“Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we saw His star in the east and have come to worship Him.” Matthew 2:2 (NASB)

And then?

They rejoiced with great joy.

They fell to the ground in worship.

Finally, they presented Him with the treasures they had brought.

The Magi found great joy in Jesus. We can too, during this season. At times it may be stressful, but we can choose to rejoice that our Savior lives, and that He will one day return for us.

They gave Him their treasures. What treasure do you hold dear? For me, it is control. As I worship Jesus, I can honor Him with my love, and submit control of my life to Him.

The Wise Men worshipped Him. In a literal sense, this means to fall to the ground, to prostrate oneself. But I’ve also found a definition that is befitting worship of the King of Kings:

Worship is to honor with extravagant love and extreme submission.

True worship, in other words, is the priority we place on who God is in our lives and where God is on our list of preferences. True worship is a matter of the heart expressed through a lifestyle of holiness and submission.

We can worship by honoring God with God honoring behavior.

To worship Jesus, we can surrender our treasures to Him in love and honor; we can humble ourselves and bow low before Him; we can recognize His worth, and keep Him top priority during this Holy season – and always!

Points to Ponder:

*What are different ways you can express your worship of Jesus this Christmas? Caroling, giving, finding joy in your circumstances?

*For further reading: John 12:1-8. Mary pours expensive perfume on Jesus’ feet. What treasure can you lay at the feet of Jesus?

The Awestruck Wonder of Meeting Jesus

December 10, 2020 by Ellen Leave a Comment

Today’s reading: Luke 2:8-20

For the most part, my days are just plain ol’ ordinary. I usually tend to float through them. Sometimes, at the end of the week, I look back and think “What happened this week?” I get wrapped up in the tedious day to day routine. I don’t notice things.

And then, something will strike me with such wonder, that I go through the day filled with awe.

Perhaps it’s the way the sun’s morning rays break through the clouds. Maybe it’s the way ice or dew sparkles on the tree limbs, like diamonds.

It could be a song on the radio that causes me to burst into worship and praise, and changes the whole outlook of my day.

Suddenly, my ordinary day is filled with a new outlook, and I’m seeing life with fresh eyes.

And so it was with the shepherds. They were doing their ordinary job, keeping watch over the sheep. Suddenly, one of God’s angels stood before them, and God’s glory was blinding them. Not only that, a whole host of heaven’s angels joined the first one! What a heavenly choir that must have been!

After hearing the good news of a Savior born, they had to go and see.

It was life changing, as meeting Jesus always is.

Afterward, the shepherds went back to their ordinary jobs, caring for their ordinary flocks. But there was a difference. They had seen Jesus!

“The shepherds went back to their flocks, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen. It was just as the angel had told them.” Luke 2:20 NLT

I imagine they were filled with such awestruck wonder, they could hardly contain themselves. I imagine they begin to see everything a little differently – with a new perspective. A brighter one.

Points to ponder:

*Does Jesus fill you with awestruck wonder?

*Have you responded with joy to the Good News of a Savior born for you? If not, let today be your day of salvation!