Believe, Follow, and Worship the King
The Spiritual Journey of the Magi
You will believe, follow, and worship the king, Jesus, as you join the wise men from the East on their journey of faith. When you understand why the Magi traveled, you will see Jesus through their eyes, and it will strengthen your faith.
To believe, follow, and worship Jesus as Lord is to be His disciple. Surprisingly, one of the first to do all three were the Magi, the wise men from the East. The story of the wise men in the Bible begins with the birth of Jesus Christ. An angel appeared to Joseph in a dream and told him not to be afraid to take Mary as his wife. He said that her conception was from the Holy Spirit, and Mary would give birth to a son. She was to name Him Jesus because He would save His people from their sins.
All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: “The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call Him Immanuel, which means, “God with us.” Matthew 1:22-23
Jesus’ divine birth would fulfill a prophecy given by God and spoken by the prophet Isaiah 700 years before the birth of Christ: God would become flesh and dwell among us! Because of Jesus’ resurrection from the grave, He continues to live in the hearts of believers everywhere through His Holy Spirit. Does the Spirit of Christ live in you?
The Wise Men Believed the Word of God and Followed
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 in the east and have come to worship Him.” Matthew 2:1-2
Long before the Magi saw His star in the east, they knew and believed God’s Word as spoken through the prophets. And because they believed God’s promised Messiah would come, they responded to the glorious light of His star when they saw it. Trusting the Word of God prepared the Magi’s hearts to leave their home in a foreign land to worship the Christ Child. So, what is your response when you read the Bible, the Word of God?
Almighty God created the moon and stars to govern the night. He also determines the number of stars in the sky and calls them each by name. Therefore, by His power, God moved a special star into place as a heavenly birth announcement to declare that the promised Messiah had been born into the world. It is interesting to note that Jesus’ birth was foretold in the Scriptures centuries before He came.
The Magi Believed the Prophecies of God about the King
The oracle of one who hears the words of God, who has knowledge from the Most High, who sees a vision from the Almighty, who falls prostrate, and whose eyes are opened: “I see Him, but not now; I behold Him, but not near. A star will come out of Jacob; a scepter will rise out of Israel. Numbers 24:16-17
We do not know how many prophecies from Scripture the wise men knew and believed. But it was probably this prophecy about the star that convinced the Magi that it was time to travel to Israel when they saw it. The reason is that this unique star coming out of Jacob was a sign of the Messiah. And the scepter revealed that He would be a king with power and authority. So, because the wise men believed God’s Word, they set out on their journey by faith when they saw the star.
The Magi Followed the Light of Scripture and the Star
To Worship
The King of Kings
“I, Jesus, am the Root and the Offspring of David, and the bright Morning Star.” Revelation 22:16
The Magi believed the Scriptures, so they left their country to follow a star and worship the newborn king. However, God had not yet revealed to the Magi exactly where the Christ Child was in Israel. So, when they got to Jerusalem, the first question they asked King Herod was, “Where is the One who has been born king of the Jews? The wise men traveled hundreds of miles from a foreign country to see a king, but it was not King Herod they came to visit. So instead, they said they were looking for another king, the king of the Jews, whose star they had seen in the east.
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 Christ (Messiah) was to be born. “In Bethlehem in Judea, they replied, “for this is what the prophet has written.” Matthew 2:3-5
Why were the people and King Herod so distressed? Jesus is deeply troubling to people who do not want to worship Him. What is your response to Jesus? The wise men studied and believed the Scriptures, so they came seeking the Messiah, but Herod only used the Scriptures to gain information. Like many today, Herod knew about the Messiah but did not investigate further because he did not believe in Him. How important is God’s Word to you?
King Herod Refused to Believe the Scriptures about the King
King Herod asked the religious leaders to find out where the Messiah was to be born. When they looked, this is what they found:
“But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times.” Micah 5:2
Jesus was born in Bethlehem, which fulfilled the prophecy made hundreds of years before His birth. The prophet Micah foretold that the next King in David’s line would be the Messiah. Jesus Christ will rule as a Divine King, but Herod would know none of this information. However, if he had read the Scriptures for himself, he would have known who the Messiah was: God Himself, who has no beginning or end.
Even the Religious Leaders Would Not Worship the King
The religious leaders did read Micah’s prophecy, but they responded with yawning indifference. To take no action when confronted with the Word of God reveals a heart of unbelief. In contrast, the wise men read the Scriptures and demonstrated their faith by leaving their country to worship the Messiah. So, how does your life show that you believe the Word of God?
Then Herod called the Magi secretly and found out from them the exact time the star had appeared. He sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and make a careful search for the child. As soon as you find Him, report to me so that I too may go and worship Him.” Matthew 2:7-8
Herod had no intention of worshiping the Messiah, but he did plan to murder Him. Threatened and blinded by unbelief, Herod foolishly believed human power could prevent the fulfillment of a prophecy from God. But, no one can stop God’s will, so those in rebellion against God and His divine rule will never succeed.
Herod thought he could destroy Jesus, who is the Christ, the Son of the living God, but He is very much alive and seated at the right hand of God in heaven.
The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of His being, sustaining all things by His powerful Word. After He had provided purification for sins, He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven. Hebrews 1:3
The Magi Followed God’s Star to the Christ Child
After the Magi had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen in the east went ahead of them until it stopped and stood over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. Matthew 2:9-10
The Magi responded to the light God gave them from the Scriptures and began their journey to Israel by faith. Now, the distinctive star they had seen in the east reappeared again. And not surprisingly, the star led them to the exact place in Bethlehem where the Messiah was. Finally, the Magi could rejoice. Joy to the world, the Lord has come; let earth receive her King! God’s Word says that when you seek Him with all your heart, you will find Him. Only Jesus can lead you to God, His Father. Ask Him now to show you the way.
Worship Jesus, the King and Light of the World
By day the Lord went ahead of them in a pillar of cloud to guide them on their way and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, so that they could travel by day or night. Neither the pillar of cloud by day nor the pillar of fire by night left its place in front of the people. Exodus 13:21-22
Through the Shekinah glory of His Presence, the Lord led His people through the desert during the day and at night. Perhaps the wise men saw the same manifestation of the Lord’s Presence in His star that led them to the Christ Child. Today, believers follow the Holy Spirit’s leading and the light of God’s Word as they trust in Him, not in themselves. Do you follow Jesus by believing and obeying the Word of God with the help of the Holy Spirit? Ask God to guide your steps according to His will.
When Jesus spoke again to the people, He said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life.” John 8:12
The Wise Men Worshipped the Divine King With Significant Gifts
On coming to the house, they saw the child with His mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped Him. Then they opened their treasures and presented Him with gifts of gold and of frankincense and of myrrh. Matthew 2:11
By faith, the Magi left their home in the east prepared with costly treasures to worship the king of the Jews. When the wise men saw the Christ Child, they fell on their knees in humble submission to worship the Messiah, the Anointed One of God. As an act of worship, they presented Jesus with meaningful gifts to honor the Holy One: Gold, Frankincense, and Myrrh. Do you honor the Lord Jesus Christ with your time, talents, and money? When Jesus is your treasure, there is nothing more valuable to you than Him.
The gift of gold honored the Eternal King because it is the most precious of metals
“He (Jesus) will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David, and He will reign over the house of Jacob forever; His kingdom will never end.” Luke 1:32-33
Jesus is the Word, and the Psalmist said that the Word of God is more precious than pure gold. When you trust the Holy Spirit to teach you and give you understanding, you will hear God speak to you whenever you read and study the Bible. Faith comes when you respond to God’s Word, and faith is what pleases God, so ask God to help you make Bible study a priority. You can begin by completing the Bible study at the end of this post.
The gift of pure frankincense mixed with incense symbolized the prayers of believers
Frankincense is highly fragrant and is used in the incense God directed the priest to burn daily on the altar of incense. The sweet-smelling smoke of the burning incense symbolized the prayers of believers rising in worship to the throne of God in heaven. Praise God for who He is and what He has already done for you. Tell Him what troubles you and ask for His help now. Thank the Lord that He hears and answers your prayers.
O Lord, I call to you; come quickly to me. Hear my voice when I call to you. May my prayer be set before you like incense; may the lifting up of my hands be like the evening sacrifice. Psalm 141:1-2
The gift of myrrh was the main ingredient in the sacred anointing oil
The gift of myrrh was the main ingredient in the sacred anointing oil used to sanctify. In this way, a person or object would be set apart as holy to God and used only by Him. So God anointed Jesus to give eternal life to all who would receive Him, to those who believe in His name. Jesus Christ is Lord, the Messiah, and the Savior of the world. Is Jesus Your Savior?
Jesus said: “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because He has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” Luke 4:18-19
When you believe in and then receive Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, God anoints you and sets you apart as His own. As a result, the Holy Spirit lives in your heart to empower you to serve Him. When you have Jesus, you have everything you need.
Myrrh was also an ingredient used in burial. After Jesus’ death, Nicodemus brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes and wrapped His body with the spices in strips of linen. The Lord Jesus Christ shed His blood on the cross to pay the death penalty for your sins. When you receive Him, you have eternal life and peace with God. What is your response?
But He was pierced for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon Him, and by His wounds we are healed. Isaiah 53:5
Believe, Follow, and Worship the Lord Jesus Christ
In every generation, wise men and women from every tribe, language, and nation believe in Jesus as their Lord and Savior. Then, they follow Jesus by obeying His Word. As a result, believers worship Jesus for who He is and what He has done. Finally, they watch for His return. Do you?
Jesus said, “look, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to each person according to what they have done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End.” Revelation 22:12-13
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Believe, Follow, and Worship Jesus through Bible Study
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Bible study for “Believe, Follow and Worship the King”
Week 1: Genesis 1:14-19; 3:13-15; 49:10; Exodus 13:20-22; 30:1-10, 22-38; Numbers 24:15-17; 1 Chronicles 29:10-14, 20; Job 9:7-10; 42:1-2; Psalms 2:1-12; 5:1-3; 9:1-2, 7-10; 19:1-11; 24:1-10; 29:1-2, 10-11; 33:4-11; 45:1-8, 17; 47:1-9; 72:10-11; 93:1-5; 95:1-7; 96:1-13; 119:1-2, 9-16, 57-60, 65-74, 101-105, 127-133, 147-148, 160-172; 176; 136:1-9; 141:1-2
Week 2: Psalms 147:4-5; 148:1-14; Proverbs 3:1-10; 8:17, 34-36; 21:30; Isaiah 6:1-5; 7:14; 9:1-2, 6-7; 11:1-10; 25:1; 40:25-31; 43:10-15; 44:6-8; 53:2-12; 60:1-3; Jeremiah 23:5-6; 29:13; Micah 5:2, 4; Zechariah 9:9-10; Malachi 1:11; Matthew 1:18-25; 2:1-18; 4:1-4, 8-17; 7:21-29; 16:13-17, 24-27; 17:1-9; 21:1-11; 22:36-40; 24:35; 28:16-20; Luke 1:26-38; 2:1-20, 25-40
Week 3: Luke 4:16-21; 6:38; 11:27-28; 24:13-53; John 1:1-18; 29-34, 44-51; 3:16-18; 4:23-26; 8:12, 31-32; 10:4; 12:26; 14:1-24; 17:1-5, 13-19; 18:33-40; 19:14-24; 28-30, 38-42; 20:26-31; Acts 3:14-26; 16:31; Romans 1:16-17; 5:6-11; 6:23; 8:9, 14; 11:33-36; 12:1-2; 15:12-13; 1 Corinthians 15:1-8; 2 Corinthians 1:21-22; Galatians 2:20; 3:26-29; 4:4-7; Philippians 2:3-16
Week 4: Colossians 1:13-20; 2:9-10; 3:16-17; 1 Timothy 1:17; 6:11-19; Hebrews 1:1-13; 4:14-16; 11:1, 6; 12:28-29; 13:15-16, 20-21; James 1:22-25; 2:14-26; 1 Peter 1:10-25; 2 Peter 1:3-4, 16-21; 1 John 1:5-10; 2:1-6; 5:11-15; 19-20; Revelation 1:4-8, 12-18; 4:8-11; 5:6-14; 7:9-12; 8:1-5; 11:15-19; 14:6-7; 17:14; 19:1, 5-9, 16; 19:11-16; 22:6-7, 12-17, 20-21
