Honoring the Savior

While Israel was waiting for a Savior, far away to the east, three men studied stars and ancient texts. Translated in Scripture as “wise men” or “magi,” these men, likely from Babylon or Persia, came to find Jesus. Why? Because they had seen a star. They had seen a sign in the heavens that a King had been born.

So they set off. In what must have been a long and demanding journey, they sought Jesus out. They had to worship the one who the signs pointed to. They had to see Him for themselves.

“On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him.”

Matthew 2:10 NIV

What a beautiful illustration of devotion and honor. Israel knew to be watching for a coming Savior, but these men from the East did not. Yet they came to find the one whom the signs pointed to. And when they saw Him, they recognized Him immediately. Then they bowed down and worshiped.

Their story reminds us a simple fact that we often forget: it’s always worth it to seek Jesus. The good news of the Christ is for everyone.

And when they finally met Jesus, the wise men’s response was to worship and give gifts. This act of worship wasn’t just a formality, either. Each of those gifts had unique meaning and purpose, from an expression of profound reverence and recognition of Jesus' kingship (gold), His divinity (frankincense), and His eventual suffering and death (myrrh). These gifts were not only valuable but deeply symbolic, highlighting their understanding of who Jesus was and would become.

The wise men worshiped Jesus because He was worthy. He still is. How will you worship Him today?