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?
Luke 13
“There were present at that season some that told him of the Galilæans, whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. And Jesus answering said unto them, Suppose ye that these Galilæans were sinners above all the Galilæans, because they suffered such things? I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish. Or those eighteen, upon whom the tower in Siloam fell, and slew them, think ye that they were sinners above all men that dwelt in Jerusalem? I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish. He spake also this parable; A certain man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard; and he came and sought fruit thereon, and found none. Then said he unto the dresser of his vineyard, Behold, these three years I come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and find none: cut it down; why cumbereth it the ground? And he answering said unto him, Lord, let it alone this year also, till I shall dig about it, and dung it: and if it bear fruit, well: ...
Living in God’s Love
Have you ever met someone who was exceptionally kind and caring?
Good friends are like this—welcoming, eager to know how you’re doing, giving their undivided attention. A good friend reminds us who we are. They listen to everything, the good and the bad, with compassion and love.
God is a friend like this. He listens. He empathizes. He cares so much and is kind in His responses. In fact, God does more than just show love—He is love. It is impossible for Him to be anything else because love is His very essence. His love is pure. It isn’t selfish, disengaged, bitter, resentful, or passive. We can trust this kind of love. We can trust God.
In 1 John 4:16, we find a beautiful reminder of what life with God is like: "And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them."
How do you feel after you’ve spent time with a good friend? Maybe you feel more relaxed, you have a spring in my step, or you find ...