"O Come, Let Us Adore Him!"
Scripture Reading — Matthew 2:1-6
"We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him."
Matthew 2:2
Imagine what those Magi were thinking as they came to Jerusalem. Looking for a child worthy of worship, they might well have dropped in at the temple to look for clues about the child's identity.
But the Magi would have been disappointed, even shocked, by the welcome they received there. They would have not have been allowed further in than the outer court. Signs on the walls would have told these Gentiles that they risked death if they went any further.
But the Magi had come to worship. And days later, in Bethlehem, as they stepped into the presence of Jesus, they experienced worship in a way that temple visitors could only anticipate. For as the Magi drew near to Jesus, they entered into what was represented by the Most Holy Place in the temple.
The Most Holy Place represented the heavenly throne room of God. Now, coming into the presence of the Christchild, the Magi were entering into the presence of the divine King. In that visit the word of Isaiah 60:3 was finding fulfillment: "Nations will come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your dawn."
On this Christmas Day, many of us will gather for worship. As we gather, Christ by his Spirit moves among us. In worship, let us enter the throne room of the King. Today, join the Magi. Join the worship.
Lord, on this Christmas Day, don't allow us to hang back. By your Spirit, bring us up close to Jesus so that we may adore your great gift and honor him as our Savior. Amen.
About the author — Bob Heerspink
Dr. Robert Heerspink was director of Back to God Ministries International from 2006 until 2011, when he passed away. He had previously pastored several Christian Reformed churches. Bob loved to write and was a frequent contributor to the Today devotional.
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