I’d like to talk about the Magi that came to visit baby Jesus. If you’re thinking it is too early to chat about Christmas, I know, but I’m studying the Book of Matthew on my own and the Magi struck a cord in me.
Matthew 2:1-2 says “After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, MAGI from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.””
There isn’t a ton of information about these wise men. It does look like they were from different lands, all traveling maybe 1000 of miles , to see Jesus. They came bearing gifts, super excited to see Him and then worshipping the one they sought after for so long.
Can’t you just picture this? Maybe relate it to when you are meeting your future spouse for the first time, or your spouse coming home from the military, or your parents picking you up from college, or your grandkids that you haven’t seen in 5 years. That adrenaline pumping “this is the best feeling ever” high.
Here’s some food for thought…The Magi did anything and everything to seek, find and worship Jesus. Are we doing that too? Or do we expect Jesus to seek US? Do we expect Jesus to explain Himself TO US and if something doesn’t suit our intellect, we can freely nix that? Do we want Jesus to prove who He is in OUR LIVES? Do we expect Him to GIVE US GIFTS?
Have you ever said to Jesus “I need you to answer my prayer right now” or “I’m losing my patience and need some answers” or “If you really are who you say you are and want me to believe, do this or that and prove yourself” or “That part makes sense in the Bible but this doesn’t so I’m not believing this part” or “If you were really who you say you are, you wouldn’t allow this or that to happen“ or “I’ve had it with you and your world”?
Do we worship Jesus today, for WHO HE IS (like the Magi did) and not for WHAT WE CAN GET?
If not, there is a wonderful solution Jesus offers. Confess how you’re feeling.
Dearest Jesus, I’m so sorry I am making my life all about me instead of all about you. I want to wake every day and not care what happens because I trust that you will always and forever take care of me. Please forgive all my doubts and lack of faith. How could I not trust you after you died for me? How could I be so selfish? Please lift all the covering from my eyes and let me see and know only you. Please remove all untruth. Please let me know you, fully and completely and have mercy on me, a sinner. Help me to live each and every day with a childlike faith. Let me be a modern day Magi, and please accept my gift which is my pride, that has kept me far removed from you. Nothing truly matters in this world but you. I look forward to being with you forever and ever and ever. Amen.
God Stories for Me, Yippee! 
You participate of you like
LikeLiked by 1 person
I even love listening to Christmas music too, because it is “Christmas in July!” When is Christmas in July? The holiday is celebrated on the 25th of December each year, but it’s also sometimes celebrated on the 12th of July. The date is not celebrated by everyone but it is getting more and more popular each year. Much to our delight – we love any excuse to celebrate Christmas and Jesus!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, any excuse! ❤😃❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
What a wonderful reminder to seek Jesus and worship him for who he is and not what he can do.
Blessings Marla.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you Manu. It hit me hard. I love when HE speaks to us in His Word. I couldn’t type fast enough for the lesson He wanted me to learn and pass along after reading Matthew 2. ❤❤❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
Although likely, they were less than 1000 miles away. Baghdad is only ~600. 😉
LikeLike
Where does I say the Magi came from Bagdad area? I couldn’t find much on them. Thank you in advance.
LikeLike
True, we do not KNOW the original lands from where the magi came, but it is thought that Babylon (Baghdad) was still functioning as a center for astrology/astronomy and education.
“The East at the time of Christ’s birth meant Media, Persia, Assyria and Babylonia, countries now encompassed by Iran and Iraq. Justin Martyr in 160 said, “Magi from Arabia (modern Saudi Arabia) came to Herod.” Clement of Alexandria (c.150-215) in the Stromata says they came from Persia.”
https://earlychurchhistory.org/beliefs-2/who-were-the-magi/
Okay, Riyadh IS about 1000 miles, but it is not likely they would have come from so far away in Saudi Arabia. Could have been much closer sites such as Hail (580) or even Al Qurayyat (180).😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh good, you found more info from your research. Thank you! Most interesting. Seems we know for sure they came from far away lands to worship and adore Jesus. It makes me want to do the same. Thanks again for your thoughtful answer!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Great word! It ministers to me, as once again, it lines up perfectly with what I’ve been writing for next week, specifically about accepting Jesus for ALL that He is, not only the parts we like. 😉 I just love how God is tag teaming us and using us in each other’s lives!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh cool! Thank you. ❤ After church, I looked for your recent blog as I only check on Sundays and didn’t see one today. I was thinking “Yey, Mama staying off on the computer to help her brain fog.” 🙂 Mine is doing better and I attribute two reasons so far. One is less time on all electronics this week. Two is I’m eating a scoop of Wholly Guacamole Avocado Verde at meal times. 😋
Yes, I love the tag teaming too!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks and you have to make sure your brain is right.
LikeLiked by 1 person