Today we take time to give thought to the Wise Men (Magi) who are always pictured so well dressed with gifts in hand in our traditional Nativity scene.

We read in Matthew 2:1-2:

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 in the east and have come to worship him.”

Matthew 2:1-2

These wise men would have travelled thousands of miles over many months and probably encountered many obstacles and distractions along their journey. They were a group of intellectual men who was not only using their minds but were following their hearts looking for Jesus.   

The bible tells us in Jeremiah 29:13 that “those who seek Him will find Him”
What a great promise for us today!

All over the world men, women & children are looking for someone who forgives, heals, restores and gives life to the full. For someone who will accept them and make their lives into something beautiful. Only Jesus can do this! 

In Matthew’s account it tells us that the sole purpose for their long, gruelling journey was to ‘worship him’. It is very clear that their hearts were already open to receive & surrender to King Jesus.

The good news is we don’t have to travel thousands of miles over difficult terrain but like the wise men we need to kneel before him with an open heart and a willingness to surrender our lives to Him.

If we read on from the verses above we see how they needed help from the prophets who pointed them to Bethlehem and they needed the star to guide them to the exact place.  A closing challenge to us all, are we ready at this Christmas time to point others to Jesus in word and action? Are we willing to help and guide others on their journey to find Jesus?

A prayer for today
O Lord Jesus, we come to you with open hearts ready to receive your Kingship in our lives.
We bring you our worship for you alone are worthy.
We pray for strength, courage and willingness to journey with others so that they too can enjoy
this life in all its fullness.
Amen

Written by Joy Parkes.