Title: Approaching Jesus
Author: Jerry Watts
Text: Matthew 2:9-11
With Christmas Day 'approaching', for the next few weeks, I would like for us immerse ourselves in the Christmas story and, of necessity, Jesus. With Christmas approaching, how do we approach Jesus? For the next three weeks, our Sunday morning series will be "Christmas, His Way".
In Matthew 2, we find the story of the "Wise Men." (Let's READ our TEXT).
As a former music minister, who for many years did Christmas Pageants and brought the wise men to the manger, I will confess that they didn't come to the manger. There are two reasons we know this; 1) The Greek word for CHILD generally means a 'little child' or (KJV, ASV) "young child." Quite likely, Jesus was a toddler when they arrived. 2) The journey took them about 18 months to make. From where they came in the East, thru Jerusalem, gaining an audience with Herod, and then completing their journey to Bethlehem was no quick task. By the time the wise men arrived, they were no longer in a stable, they were obviously now in a house. VS 10.
One other thought is this, while we have sung "We Three Kings" for over 150 (and it's still a great carol), there is no indication that there were 3 wise men - could have been more or less. One more truth is that these Kings (Wiersbe) were GENTILES. This is significant because we know that from the very beginning, Jesus came to be the 'Savior of the World.' They were wealthy, scholars (scientists), and they came seeking the Savior. It seems that no 'smart' person who follows the light that God gives can miss worshipping at the feet of Jesus. When they arrived, their approach teaches us a lot.
Notice that they did what, too often, we fail to do. THEY FELL ON THEIR KNEES IN WORSHIP. The picture of bowing down or falling down on knees is a stark one. (Return of the Jedi & Star Gate)
Here's the truth: When humans find themselves in the presence of a deity, our immediate reaction is to fall on our knee ...
Author: Jerry Watts
Text: Matthew 2:9-11
With Christmas Day 'approaching', for the next few weeks, I would like for us immerse ourselves in the Christmas story and, of necessity, Jesus. With Christmas approaching, how do we approach Jesus? For the next three weeks, our Sunday morning series will be "Christmas, His Way".
In Matthew 2, we find the story of the "Wise Men." (Let's READ our TEXT).
As a former music minister, who for many years did Christmas Pageants and brought the wise men to the manger, I will confess that they didn't come to the manger. There are two reasons we know this; 1) The Greek word for CHILD generally means a 'little child' or (KJV, ASV) "young child." Quite likely, Jesus was a toddler when they arrived. 2) The journey took them about 18 months to make. From where they came in the East, thru Jerusalem, gaining an audience with Herod, and then completing their journey to Bethlehem was no quick task. By the time the wise men arrived, they were no longer in a stable, they were obviously now in a house. VS 10.
One other thought is this, while we have sung "We Three Kings" for over 150 (and it's still a great carol), there is no indication that there were 3 wise men - could have been more or less. One more truth is that these Kings (Wiersbe) were GENTILES. This is significant because we know that from the very beginning, Jesus came to be the 'Savior of the World.' They were wealthy, scholars (scientists), and they came seeking the Savior. It seems that no 'smart' person who follows the light that God gives can miss worshipping at the feet of Jesus. When they arrived, their approach teaches us a lot.
Notice that they did what, too often, we fail to do. THEY FELL ON THEIR KNEES IN WORSHIP. The picture of bowing down or falling down on knees is a stark one. (Return of the Jedi & Star Gate)
Here's the truth: When humans find themselves in the presence of a deity, our immediate reaction is to fall on our knee ...
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