The wise men’s journey to visit the child Jesus gives us examples of some of the journeys we may take as we follow Christ. Let’s look at a few of them.
The first is the journey of faith. There was no guiding light or star as the journey takes off. The saw a star and set out on a journey. A Journey that would be filled with many unknowns. It seems that they thought Jerusalem was the destination but it really was just a stopping point the journey would continue.
Matthew 2:2 "Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the East…" In our walk with God we don’t always get a detailed road map. God often gives us a few steps at a time.
Look at Abram in Genesis 12:1 Now the LORD had said to Abram: "Get out of your country, From your family And from your father's house, To a land that I will show you.”
God said Abram you go and when you get there I will let you know. Wow! Can we do that? We too are on a journey like these Magi and we must take steps of faith to find the destination.
The second type of Journey was a journey of worship. This was no sightseeing trip. This was no vacation. It was all about worship.
Matthew 2:2 "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."
Look at the length they traveled for the purpose of worship. Many times we struggle to worship the risen Savior because of a bad week, a bad hair day, a bad morning, or maybe we are just plain lazy. There was no plane ride, no commuter train, nor car; it was by animal or by foot for mile upon mile day after day just to be in the presence of Jesus. This convicts me. We have the conveniences and all the advantages and yet we at times struggle to worship the Lord. Why would they go through all the trouble? The answer is simple because they believed the new King of the Jews was worthy. And He still is!
Look at this, Revelation 5:4-10 So I wept much, because no one was found worthy to open and read the scroll, or to look at it. (5) But one of the elders said to me, "Do not weep. Behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has prevailed to open the scroll and to loose its seven seals." (6) And I looked, and behold, in the midst of the throne and of the four living creatures, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as though it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent out into all the earth. (7) Then He came and took the scroll out of the right hand of Him who sat on the throne. (8) Now when He had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each having a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. (9) And they sang a new song, saying: "You are worthy to take the scroll, And to open its seals; For You were slain, And have redeemed us to God by Your blood Out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation, (10) And have made us kings and priests to our God; And we shall reign on the earth."
He is worthy!
Finally, their journey was one purpose. When they opened their treasure and gave gold, frankincense and myrrh not only where these gifts value and extravagant but they held meaning.
Gold represents royalty and divinity. Frankincense represents sacrifice Leviticus 2:2. Myrrh symbols burial John 19:39. While these gifts may have provided a means for the Jesus and His family to travel to Egypt, they meant so much more. They speak of what was to come, this God-man would be the sacrifice and would die for our sins so we could have life and life more abundantly. Thank God for His indescribable gift!
Blessings,
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