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#1202. We have come to worship Him (16/12/24)

Community Church Putney Sermons

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  1. #1202. We have come to worship Him (16/12/24)

  2. Welcome to this Come to Jesus Daily Devotional as we continue our Christmas series, Emmanuel, where we are reflecting on the promises regarding God coming to us in Jesus.

  3. Today, from Matthew 2:1-6, we reflect on how the journey and worship of the magi are a foretaste of God’s will to bring all nations to worship Jesus.

    Matthew 2:1–6

  4. To watch this devotional, select the link below

  5. https://youtu.be/EqLeiRrkhyU

  6. ‘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.”  When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him.  When he had called together all the people’s chief priests and teachers of the law, he asked them where the Messiah was to be born.  “In Bethlehem in Judea,” they replied, “for this is what the prophet has written: ‘But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for out of you will come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel.’”’ (Matthew 2:1-6)

    Matthew 2:1–6

  7. Who are the Magi? ‘Magi’, from the Greek word magoi, refers to a class of priest, astrologers and scholars from the East - These ‘wise men’ - probably from modern day Iran or Iraq - often served as advisors to kings and were influential in political and religious matters. They probably travelled by the main trade route of about 800 miles (1,288 km); averaging 20 miles (32 km) per day, the trip would have taken about 40 days. They are generous in every way - not only in their travelling, but also in their gifts.

  8. The gifts presented to Jesus—gold, frankincense, and myrrh—were highly symbolic:

  9. i. Gold: A gift for a king, symbolising Jesus’ royal status.

  10. ii. Frankincense: Used in worship, signifying His divinity and role as the High Priest.

  11. iii. Myrrh: An embalming spice, foreshadowing His suffering and death.

  12. The journey and worship of the Magi represent the inclusion and invitation of Gentiles (all nations) in God’s Kingdom. We are not told why, exactly, they came, the only explanation is ‘we saw his star when it rose…’ Their coming is a part of the fulfilment of all nations coming to know the true God through Jesus. For example, in this we are to see the beginnings of the fulfilment of what Isaiah predicted:

  13. ‘Nations will come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your dawn.’ (Isaiah 60:3)

    Isaiah 60:3

  14. Today, as we reflect on the Christmas story with the journey and worship of the magi, let’s give our worship and let’s be reminded of, and be involved with, God’s will to bring all nations to worship Jesus.

  15. Let’s pray together

  16. “Father, I thank you for your promise to bring people from all ethnic groups into your Kingdom. Help me to be hospitable to all people. Help me to be patient with different sorts of people. Help me to play my part in inviting different nations into your Kingdom. Amen.”