When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him.

Matthew 2:10-11

We continue our look at the Magi’s journey to worship the newborn king. “Worship” (derived from the Old English word “weorth”) means to attribute worth to something. The Magi were on a journey to attribute worth to Jesus. Would you say that is your life pursuit—to attribute worth to Jesus?

Having learned in Jerusalem that the Christ child was to be born in Bethlehem, they continued their journey. Perhaps the light of the star had been temporarily hidden, for Matthew tells us that on seeing the star, the Magi were overjoyed. Were they overjoyed at the star itself? Or were they overjoyed that God’s guiding light assured them of reaching their destination? I am certain it was the latter. The Magi were overjoyed at the thought of worshiping the newborn king. 

Worship of Jesus leads to great joy!

All people are created for eternal fellowship with God. We are made in God’s image and are called into fellowship with Jesus, His Son. (1 Corinthians 1:9) Therefore, fellowship with and worship of the Lord Jesus leads to deep-rooted, uncontainable joy. A life apart from God and worship of Him is void of satisfaction, meaning, and true joy. 

When the Magi arrived at the house and saw the child, they bowed down and worshiped Him. First, the Magi bowed. All people who behold Jesus with understanding of who He truly is (King of kings, God’s only Son, the Creator, the Savior of the world, etc.) realize their own insignificance. Pride is removed. In its place is an irrepressible desire to exalt the Lord Jesus. 

Seeing Jesus in His greatness results in personal humility, followed by devoted exaltation.

When is the last time you experienced uncontainable joy at the thought of worshiping Jesus? How often does beholding Jesus bring you to your knees? How is your life attributing worth to the Lord Jesus Christ? 

Jan Burkhart