Matthew 2 Devotions by Stephen Taylor

Matthew 2:11

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, frankincense and myrrh.

There is so much going on in this verse; let’s break it down a little. First off, these were the Magi that came and visited the child Jesus. They more than likely were Gentile stargazers from east of the Holy land. Not exactly your devout believer, and yet they come and worship the Lord.

It’s important for us to note that they did not come and worship both Mary and Jesus but only the Lord Himself. The Bible does not record them bringing any gifts to her but only to the boy. We, too, must do the same, Mary is awesome and blessed, but she needed the blood of Christ to save her just as much as we do.

Now, let’s look at how they worshipped Him: physically, spiritually, and financially! You would have to be pretty spiritually (from the heart) invested to humbly bow before a child and bring Him such gifts as these. I see these Magi as having a heart open and willing to worship the Living God, despite what they used to believe. To me, they represent most of us. We all used to wander around aimlessly serving and worshipping things that had no right to be served or worshipped until we found ourselves in the Presence of Christ and laid it all at His feet.

We, too, must bring our hearts, our bodies, and our wallets and lay them at His feet. For who is more worthy than the God of all creation? The God who humbled Himself, stepped into the flesh, bore our sin and shame, and then offers us freely the gift He paid so dearly to acquire? And don’t forget He does that all the while being perfect in love.

The shepherds (Jews) got to see King Jesus first, but the Magi (Gentiles, you and me) weren’t excluded from coming to worship Him! Will we take this great honor to heart and worship Him today?

Philippians 2:6-8- Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to His own advantage; rather, he made Himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to death— even death on a cross!

God bless! I love you all, but His love is a flowing river that will never run dry! Glory, honor, and praise now and forever to Papa God, Jesus Christ our King, and the Holy Spirit!