Matthew tells us that a group of wise men sought Jesus out from the east in order to worship him and bring him gifts. We see how their arrival puts fear into Herod’s heart as he knows that a new king of the Jews has arrived. We see two contrasting pictures of how we can respond when Christ reveals himself to us. The wise men intentionally sought to worship Christ, but Herod, unwilling to give up his throne, let his fear turn to anger and sought to defy God. As we meditate on this passage, let us choose to worship Christ and commit to being intentional about it.

Matthew 2:1-12

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, 2 saying, “Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.” 3 When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him; 4 and assembling all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. 5 They told him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for so it is written by the prophet:

6 “ ‘And you, O Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,
are by no means least among the rulers of Judah;
for from you shall come a ruler
who will shepherd my people Israel.’ ”

7 Then Herod summoned the wise men secretly and ascertained from them what time the star had appeared. 8 And he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, “Go and search diligently for the child, and when you have found him, bring me word, that I too may come and worship him.” 9 After listening to the king, they went on their way. And behold, the star that they had seen when it rose went before them until it came to rest over the place where the child was. 10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. 11 And going into the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh. 12 And being warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed to their own country by another way.

[ WHAT ] is this passage saying and what is a key truth or thought that we learn?

+ These wise men were Gentiles who came “from the east”, not Jews. [v. 1] What is the significance that even Gentiles came to worship Christ at his birth?

+ What does the quoted prophecy tell us about Jesus’s coming kingship? [v. 6]

[ HOW ] is the Lord calling me to action/obedience?

+ Is there sin to confess or a next step to take? How has it gone since last time?

+ How does the wise men’s commitment to searching out Jesus to worship him inspire us to commit to worshiping Jesus more intentionally?

[ WHO ] am I walking with and praying for to discover Jesus?

+ What is my next step?