Three Wise Men
A Devotional
© 2000 Steve Lattier and Men’s Help Ministries


The Word:
Matthew 2:1 Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, [2] Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.

Matthew 2:10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy. [11] And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh. [12] And being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way.

This is an old story that we have all heard at one time or another. The wise men came and brought gifts to Jesus. Most folks even set out a manger scene at Christmas time complete with the wise men in it. But I have to ask “would our Christian walk even pass muster compared with the actions of the “pagan” wise men?” Bible scholars generally agree that whether the wise men were numerologists, astrologers, or diviners that they were undoubtedly pagans. Yet these pagan men set down an example that glistens to us across the ages. What was it they did? In the scriptures above let’s look at their actions.
1. They knew Christ was born.
a. Even though they worshipped different gods they could see the “real deal.” Today many of us don’t fully realize that Christ is real.
2. They came to Him just as soon as they knew.
a. They journeyed many miles to pay their respects. A lot of times we cannot even get motivated enough to show up ten miles down the road in our air conditioned car to worship Him at our local church.
3. They rejoiced when they drew near to Him.
a. They hadn’t even seen the Christ and they were already excited. Again Sunday mornings can be a miserable scene as our children or spouses get yelled at for one reason or another. In the car the tension is so thick you can cut it with a knife on the way to church.
4. They fell down.
a. These men (of wealth and power) lay themselves flat, face down in the dirt showing in a physical sense what their relationship was like. They felt that they were not worthy to even stand in the presence of Christ even as a baby. How many of us can actually claim to surrendering enough of our pride to really worship Christ as being over us and worthy of us laying in the spiritual dirt on the floor at His feet?
5. They worshipped Him.
a. They truly exalted Him in front of others. Can we do that? It is so much easier to say that we do, or be a “closet Christian” that is, to only let go behind closed doors.
6. They brought Him gifts.
a. They brought what they had to Him so that He could use it. How many of us have talents and gifts that we use either for our own glory or simply don’t use at all. We don’t all have to be the pastor of a huge church or the worship leader, to have our gifts used by God. Some can cut grass, build things, clean, visit in the hospital, cook.

Frequently we really wonder what it takes to have a relationship with God. Those wise men had the basics down They knew who He was, they came to him, they were excited by drawing close, they put down their pride, they worshipped and they brought Him the gifts that they had. No more, no less.

Pray with me: Father I love you, make me as wise as those wise men. Teach me those things that they knew. Let me have the guts to humbly worship you. Show me my gifts so and give me the courage to bring them to you. I trust you, I praise you, I thank you for coming to save me all those years ago. Help me to be a “wise man.” In Jesus name. Amen!

God bless you all!
Steve


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When God is all you've got; God is all you need!

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