When Jesus is Revealed as King: Choosing Our Response

Good morning, dear friends,

As I stood before you this past Sunday, I was struck once again by the beauty and depth of God's Word. Our journey through the Gospel of Matthew brought us face-to-face with the story of the Magi, a story that is often wrapped in myth but rooted deeply in truth. Today, I'd like to share some reflections from that message, as we explored the important question: What do we do when Jesus is revealed as King?

As we traversed Matthew 2:1-12, we encountered King Herod, the Jewish scholars, and the Magi—three distinct characters offering three varied responses to Jesus’ birth. Each response serves as a mirror, challenging us to examine our own hearts.

Herod, a man driven by fear and a thirst for control, reacted with paranoia, scheming to eliminate a perceived threat to his throne. His story is a cautionary tale about the dangers of clinging to power and the facade of religious piety. It reminds us that even we can fall into the trap of saying the right words without genuine intent. How often do we hold onto control, masking it with spiritual language?

The scribes and religious leaders, on the other hand, had knowledge at their fingertips. They knew the scriptures well—so well, in fact, that they could immediately pinpoint Bethlehem as the birthplace of the Messiah. Yet, their knowledge didn’t move them. They stayed put, allowing indifference to overtake what should have been a holy curiosity. This is another familiar trap. In an age where information is abundant, we too can become informed yet unmoved. Does our knowledge of God’s word prompt us to action, or are we content merely knowing the facts?

Then, there are the Magi—wise men from the East, seekers of truth who ventured hundreds of miles, driven by faith sparked by a star. They understood that true worship requires movement. Their journey was costly, filled with risks, yet their response was one of humility and generosity. They opened their treasures and offered precious gifts to Jesus. Most importantly, they left changed, heeding God’s warning not to return to Herod, a testament to the transformative power of encountering Christ.

The question for us today is: Which response do we see in our lives? Are we clinging to control like Herod, indifferent like the scribes, or are we earnestly seeking Jesus like the Magi, ready to worship and be transformed by His grace?

The heart of true worship is recognizing Jesus as King and responding with our whole selves. It’s about seeking Him, surrendering to Him, offering our best, and leaving His presence changed. As we ponder how we will respond to God’s incredible revelation through Christ, let us remember that our journey of faith involves movement. May our lives be marked by a worship that moves us closer to the heart of God and out into the world, changed and ready to act.

Thank you for joining this journey through Matthew. I pray that as we continue, we remain open to the transformative work of God in our lives, responding with hearts full of worship and lives marked by change.

In Christ’s love,