#DailyDevotion The Magi Worship Israel’s One And Only True King Jesus The Lord

December 27th
Read Matt 2:1–12
Mat 2:1-3 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 saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.” (3) When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him; 4-6 and assembling all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. (5) They told him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for so it is written by the prophet: (6) “‘And you, O Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for from you shall come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel.'”…10-11 When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. (11) And going into the house they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh.

So at least two prophecies are fulfilled here. Mic 5:2 “But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel, whose coming forth is from of old, from ancient days.” Thus fulfilling also what angel had spoken at Jesus’ birth that he was Christ, the Lord. The one born in Bethlehem is no ordinary child. He isn’t even any ordinary son of David. Jesus is the Lord. He is the small caps LORD we see all over the Old Testament speaking to, leading and disciplining Israel. He is the Creator of heaven and earth, of all that is seen and unseen, light of light, very God of very God, one in being and substance with the Father, Lord. As Micah says in verse two “whose coming forth is from of old, from ancient days.”

The promised Davidic king was born in a time when David no longer ruled the people of Judah but instead, a pretender, of the house of Esau was ruling over Judah and he a puppet king of Caesar of Rome. So it is no wonder Herod wants to kill Jesus. He is a threat to Herod’s power. Herod already killed sons of his who were line to his throne. He certainly wasn’t going to let some child of David to take his power away.

But Isaiah has another prophecy that speaks to this day, Isa 60:6 “A multitude of camels shall cover you, the young camels of Midian and Ephah; all those from Sheba shall come. They shall bring gold and frankincense, and shall bring good news, the praises of the LORD.” So they came from the East, magi, wise men bringing gift of gold, frankincense and myrrh. They came and worshiped the one born king of the Jews. Israel was to only have one king, that one king was God, the Lord. Israel wanted a human king, so now God gives them both, the one laying in the manger is the Lord God, David’s Lord and David’s son. The Lord fulfills his promises. Micah said, “And he shall be their peace.” Jesus brings a peace beyond all understanding. He brings peace between God and man. It’s not the peace of the world but the cessation of enmity in the hearts of men towards their Creator.

Lord Jesus Christ, may we, like the magi, bow down and worship you as Israel’s true King and bring before you all the things we treasure recognizing they are all of your own being your creation. Amen.