LIKE THE MAGI, WE SEEK THE KING OF KINGS WITH ALL OUR HEART
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“I love those who love Me, and those who seek Me find Me.” – Proverbs 8:17 –
Are you seeking God? What does it truly mean to seek God? Our Lord promises that you will find Him if you search for Him with your heart (Jeremiah 29:13). Our lives as believers are to be characterized by this search. It is to become our goal, our prize, our heart’s desire. It should permeate all we do.
God wants to reveal Himself to us. Yet it takes open eyes and open hearts. To come to a deeper knowledge of the Almighty One… into a more intimate relationship with Him… should be one’s life purpose. It is what will give meaning to life. Yet too often life offers distractions, worries, busyness that keeps us from pursuing our God.
“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 when it rose and have come to worship Him.'” – Matthew 2:1-2
There are three in the Bible who are renowned seekers. In a faraway land, these wise men learn of the birth of a King. The Magi set out from the east, following the Spice Route, guided by a star. They put aside their lives to search for this Holy Child so that they might worship Him.
God stirs their hearts, causing them to leave behind all they know and journey to a place unknown to them. A quest placed in their hearts by the Almighty One. Isn’t this the way God often works? He stirs our hearts and leads the way. Yet He does not always reveal the destination. We are to walk by faith not by sight (2 Corinthians 5:7).
“The star they had seen when it rose went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the Child was. When they saw the star, they were overjoyed.” – Matthew 2:9-10
The miraculous birth of Jesus is heralded by a radiant star. A star so bright that it guides the path of the Magi for hundreds, perhaps thousands, of miles to a humble stable in Bethlehem. There, lying in a manger of straw, is their King. A babe so pure, so fresh from heaven that He inspires awe and reverence.
The three bow down before Him and worship Him. God reveals to their hearts that this child is the One who is above all others. How amazing that these wise and kingly men should bow before a mere child. Yet this Child is no ordinary child. He is born King of kings.
“Then they opened their treasures and presented Him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.” – Matthew 2:11
The gifts the wise men present are worthy of a King. Gold is a gift for royalty. Crowns, thrones, and altars in biblical times were crafted out of gold. It overlaid the Ark of the Covenant, and the cherubim atop the mercy seat were sculpted of pure gold. The book of Revelation tells of the New Jerusalem, a city made of the purest of gold. This is a perfect gift for the King of kings.
Frankincense is a gift for deity. It was a key component of the holy incense in early Hebrew worship. The priests burned it in the Tabernacle before the Ark of the Covenant and in the Temple of Solomon in Jerusalem. The incense symbolized the prayers of the people rising up to God’s throne. Priests acted as intermediaries between the people and God. The gift of frankincense honors Jesus as our eternal High Priest and Intercessor before the Father.
Myrrh was an oil used in biblical times to anoint kings, priests and prophets. This gift acknowledges Jesus as Prophet of God. Myrrh also was used as an embalming oil… thus pointing to Jesus’ death. As gold symbolizes His royalty and frankincense symbolizes His deity, so myrrh symbolizes His humanity. He would be the One who would die for all mankind… and rise again in glory.
“You, Bethlehem… out of you will come forth for Me One to be ruler over Israel, whose origins are of old, from the days of eternity.” – Micah 5:2
These three seekers seek and find the Messiah. Their long journey and search are rewarded. They are privileged to worship the King of kings, eternal High Priest and Prophet of God, Jesus Christ. They bring royal gifts as they bow before the One who would be the Savior of all mankind.
Do we search for God with all our hearts? Do we follow the brightness of His guidance and revelation? Are we bowing before Him in holy reverence? Are we offering Him our most precious gifts?
Is Jesus our High Priest and intercessor before God? Is He our Prophet, the One we trust with our lives and our future? Is He our King of Kings and Lord of all?
