Daily Bread 2010
Matthew 2
After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen in the east went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. 10When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. 11On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold and of incense and of myrrh. 12And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route.
Today there are those who look to the stars for guidance, we call it astrology. People read the paper each day to see what their astrological sign is telling them. But these astrologers from the Far East, also called the “three wise men”, were looking for a king. When they found Jesus they worshipped him. Because there were three gifts given, typically we assume that there were 3 wise men, but there is nothing to prove this.
The key irony we see here is that eastern mystics come to seek out Jesus, and when they meet Jesus they bow and worship him. We will see in the coming verses that even those who should have known about his coming from the Old Testament, especially the prophets, would not recognize even when he came to their own town.
Traditionally, we celebrate these magi, or wise men on the Epiphany which is 12 days after Christmas, January 6th. Various cultures celebrate this is different ways. In Louisiana and Texas part of the celebration is what they call a “King’s Cake”. It is a ring shaped cake that becomes available in bakeries from the Epiphany through Mardi Gras. The baby Jesus represented by a small plastic doll, is inserted from the bottom, and the person who gets the slice with him in it, gets to buy the cake next year.
As you celebrate Epiphany this year remember to seek Jesus like the wise men. And when you find Jesus just as they say He is, worship Him with your gifts and present back your heart to him so He might use you to lead others to the King of kings!
Prayer: Jesus give us a heart like the wise men to seek you and find you. We offer our gifts back to you so that others may be led to find you just as the bible says! In Jesus’ name, Amen.
After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen in the east went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. 10When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. 11On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold and of incense and of myrrh. 12And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route.
Today there are those who look to the stars for guidance, we call it astrology. People read the paper each day to see what their astrological sign is telling them. But these astrologers from the Far East, also called the “three wise men”, were looking for a king. When they found Jesus they worshipped him. Because there were three gifts given, typically we assume that there were 3 wise men, but there is nothing to prove this.
The key irony we see here is that eastern mystics come to seek out Jesus, and when they meet Jesus they bow and worship him. We will see in the coming verses that even those who should have known about his coming from the Old Testament, especially the prophets, would not recognize even when he came to their own town.
Traditionally, we celebrate these magi, or wise men on the Epiphany which is 12 days after Christmas, January 6th. Various cultures celebrate this is different ways. In Louisiana and Texas part of the celebration is what they call a “King’s Cake”. It is a ring shaped cake that becomes available in bakeries from the Epiphany through Mardi Gras. The baby Jesus represented by a small plastic doll, is inserted from the bottom, and the person who gets the slice with him in it, gets to buy the cake next year.
As you celebrate Epiphany this year remember to seek Jesus like the wise men. And when you find Jesus just as they say He is, worship Him with your gifts and present back your heart to him so He might use you to lead others to the King of kings!
Prayer: Jesus give us a heart like the wise men to seek you and find you. We offer our gifts back to you so that others may be led to find you just as the bible says! In Jesus’ name, Amen.
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