DEVOTION: He Still Will Be Worshipped-Pastor Shadrack Ruto
There does not seem to be a record for a worship celebration when Baby Jesus, The Kind of Kings, was born. This is because His coming did not attract the attention of the Jewish leaders or anyone else for that matter. Except for the parents, Mary and Joseph, who knew their child was very special in many ways. But in spite of this lack of worship celebration in Bethlehem, God provided genuine worshippers from the east who were eager to see the King Baby Jesus.
After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him. Matthew 2:1-2
The magi surprised and caused anxiety to King Herod when he heard that the King of the Jews had been born.
When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him. Matthew 2:3
Seeking to find out where this King was born, King Herod inquired from different leaders of the Jewish people.
When he had called together all the people’s chief priests and teachers of the law, he asked them where the Messiah was to be born. Matthew 2:4
This is the answer he was given
In Bethlehem in Judea,” they replied, “for this is what the prophet has written: But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for out of you will come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel. Matthew 2:5-6
Once he had found the city where the King of the Jewish was to be born according to the prophetic writings, King Herod summoned the magi.
Then Herod called the Magi secretly and found out from them the exact time the star had appeared. He sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search carefully for the child. As soon as you find him, report to me, so that I too may go and worship him. Matthew 2:7-8
It seems that the magi found the answer to their question from King Herod. But what they did not know was that King Herod had bad intention for the Baby Jesus. But why wasn’t he not happy with this news? You need to remember that at this time, the land of Israel was under the rule of Rome. In other words, Israel was a colony of Rome. The Jewish people were tired of being ruled by the Romans. Their only hope was the coming messiah who was to be their King forever, for His Kingdom, according to the prophetic messages would not end. The news of the coming messiah provided hope and excitement for the Jews. But this was bad news for the Rome. King Herod was therefore afraid of loosing his power over Israel.
Confident about where to find the Baby Jesus, the magi left for Bethlehem. But as soon as they left the King’s presence, they saw something very encouraging.
After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen when it rose went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. Matthew 2:9
Notice that this is the star that the magi saw in the east when the King Jesus was born. In other words, this was a sign for them that King Jesus had been born. Notice their reaction to this star.
When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. Matthew 2:10
Here is what they did upon entering the House.
On 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, frankincense and myrrh. Matthew 2:11
Because King Herod had intentions were to kill the Baby Jesus, the magi took a different route on their way back home.
And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route. Matthew 2:12
While the Shepherds were the first to visit the Baby Jesus, we are not told anywhere that they took any gifts or worshipped Him. Therefore the magi are the first ones to recognize Jesus as King because God will continue receiving worship due to Him.. Interesting! The religious leaders did not realize that the Messiah had been born. And this is about two years after Jesus had been born.
APPLICATION:
- We need to always remember this; if we fail to worship God, He shall always find others to worship and praise Him. In other words, He will still receive worship. Therefore whoever fails to worship and praise the Lord is the looser. He will always get the worship that is due, He is the King.
- When some of the Pharisees tried to stop the children who were singing, “blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven and glory in the highest! During the triumphal entry to Jerusalem, Jesus gave this warning
I tell you,” he replied, “if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out. Mathew 19:40
3. I find in some believers a casual attitude toward the worship of God. These are the people who have some kind of a civilized attitude towards the worship of God. This begs the question: can anyone be too civilized to worship God? In other words, can the worship of God be relegated only to those who are uncivilized or low in economic standards? Thank God it is only a few that has this kind of attitude. The question is this: Are you among these few?
a. How is your worship of the Lord?
b. Do you worship God when you are alone?
c. Are you excited about getting together with other saints in order to worship God?
d. Or are you one of those believers who do not care about worshipping God in church. Instead they only go to church to hear the teaching of Scripture.
4. There is something that happens when believers get together to worship God. It is an experience you can never get anywhere else. God will touch you in away that you cannot explain. It is an experience words cannot fully explain. You have to experience it. Here is a verse to always keep in mind concerning the worshipping God.
But thou art holy, thou that inhabitest the praises of Israel. Psalm 22:3 KJV
- Last but not the least? Are stones worshipping God on your behalf?
By Pastor Shadrack Ruto
http://www.upendochurch.org/
DEVOTION: He Still Will Be Worshipped-Pastor Shadrack Ruto
