Dec 24, 20242 min read

Tuesday, December 24 || SHEPHERDS - FIRST HEARERS OF CHRISTMAS MESSAGE

Read: Matthew 2: 1-6

“After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, ... Magi from the east came to Jerusalem.”

- Matthew 2: 1

The Magi had in some way been made aware of the divine birth of the Christ Child and had come to Jerusalem seeking the “King of the Jews!” Since they did not have the book of Micah which predicts where Messiah was to be born (Micah 5: 2), they assumed that the Messiah would be born in the capital of Israel, Jerusalem. The conduct of these wise men is a splendid example of spiritual diligence. What trouble it must have cost them to travel from their homes to the place where Jesus was born! Travel was not easy in those days; they had to pass through various terrains, encounter many dangers. But none of these things moved them. They had their hearts set on seeing Him, “who has been born King of the Jews,” and they never rested until they saw Him. They prove to us the truth of the old saying, “Where there is a will there is a way.”

The Magi believed in Christ when they had never seen Him, but that was not all.  They believed in Him when the Scribes and Pharisees were unbelieving, but again that was not all.  They worshipped Him as a King.  What great faith!  They saw no miracles to convince them.  They saw no signs of divinity and greatness to awe them.  They saw nothing but a new born infant, helpless and weak, needing a mother’s care like any one of ourselves.  And yet when they saw the infant they believed that they saw the Savior of the world.  Dear friends, how good it would be for all professing Christians if they follow these Magi’s example!  What pain do we take to live as disciples of Christ?  What   diligence do we show about following Christ?  What does our religion cost us?  These are serious questions which deserve serious consideration.

PRAYER: Dear Lord, I cannot but admire the faith of the Magi who had never seen Christ, yet believed Him, and not only that they worshipped Him as a King. They did not mind travelling a long distance and taking many risks on their way. Let me have such diligence in worshipping You. Amen.

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