The Daily Fountain Daily Devotional of the Church Of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) 21 December 2021 – TOPIC: COME WORSHIP HIM TOO
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TOPIC: COME WORSHIP HIM TOO
READ: MATTHEW 2:1-12 (NKJV)1. 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 have seen His star in the East and have come to worship Him.”3. When Herod the king heard [this,] he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him.4. And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born.5. So they said to him,
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“In Bethlehem of Judea, for thus it is written by the prophet:6. ‘But you, Bethlehem, [in] the land of Judah, Are not the least among the rulers of Judah; For out of you shall come a Ruler Who will shepherd My people Israel.’ “7. Then Herod, when he had secretly called the wise men, determined from them what time the star appeared.8. And he sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search carefully for the young Child, and when you have found [Him,] bring back word to me, that I may come and worship Him also.”9. When they heard the king, they departed; and behold, the star which they had seen in the East went before them, till it came and stood over where the young Child was.10.
When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceedingly great joy.11. And when they had come into the house, they saw the young Child with Mary His mother, and fell down and worshiped Him. And when they had opened their treasures, they presented gifts to Him: gold, frankincense, and myrrh.12. Then, being divinely warned in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed for their own country another way.
THE MESSAGE:At the time Jesus was born, one would think the chief priests and scribes would be the first to go to Bethlehem, having heard rumours that the Saviour had been born. But no, it was a few unknown strangers (the Magi) from a distant land. When they arrived Jerusalem and inquired, the chief priests and scribes were quick to provide the answer regarding where Jesus was born.
They had knowledge but did not act on it. These wise men followed God’s lead in the face of great risks and danger, demonstrating a striking example of faith, until they came to where Jesus was born. When they saw the little child, they fell down and worshipped Him and presented costly and significant gifts. They believed Christ even though they had never seen Him, without any miracles or teachings to convince or persuade them.
This is the kind of faith God delights to honour!The worship of the Magi implies that God’s redemption goes beyond the Jews. Jesus came for all people – rich and poor. The grace of God is wide and reaches to all people. All it takes is faith in God and grace will be available. The world may afford to be careless and unbelieving, but you should not be ashamed to believe in Jesus, confess and worship Him.
PRAYER: Lord, help me to reach out to others with the Good News today