JesusOnline.com

MENUMENU
  • Discover
    Evidence
    • About God
      • Has Science Discovered God?
      • Was Life Created by Design?
      • Accident or Intelligent Design?
      • Does God Exist?
    • About Jesus
      • The Jesus of History: Man or Myth?
      • Was Jesus a Real Person?
      • Is Jesus God?
      • Did Jesus Rise from the Dead?
      • Where is the Jewish Messiah?
      • More Questions…
    • About the Bible
      • Is the Bible True?
      • Are the Gospels Reliable?
      • The Gospel of Barnabas: Secret Bible?
      • Are the Gnostic Gospels Factual?
      • Is the Bible Infallible?
      • The Bible’s Buried Secrets
    • Related Videos
      • “God Evidence” Videos
      • “Jesus Evidence” Videos
      • “Bible Evidence” Videos
  • Meet
    Jesus
    • Jesus’ Resurrection and You
    • Why Jesus?
    • The Gift of Heaven
    • Are You Going to Heaven?
    • Why Does God Permit Evil to Exist?
    • Related Videos
  • Follow
    Jesus
    • Next Steps
      • Discover New Resources
      • Explore God’s Word
      • Connect with Believers
      • Why Grow?
    • Living for Jesus
      • Born Again as a New Creation
      • Trusting by Faith
      • Abiding in Christ
      • Embracing Your New Identity
      • Loving God Wholeheartedly
      • Pursuing Truth in God’s Word
      • Depending on the Spirit’s Power
      • Obeying God Faithfully
      • Connecting with God’s Family
      • Resisting the Enemy
      • Advancing Christ’s Kingdom
    • Time in God’s Word
      • Read eBible
      • Download Bible
      • Devotionals
      • Key Verses
      • Bible Study Tools
    • Related Videos
      • “Next Steps” Videos
      • “Living for Jesus” Videos
      • “Time in God’s Word” Videos
  • Find Hope
    & Love
    • #GODisHOPE
    • FOREVER LOVED!
  • Translate
    & More
    • Share Jesus
    • Join Community
    • Download App
    • Contact Us
    • Search
  • Download
    JO App

Day 10: In the Presence of a King

What in the world might have been the reaction of the Magi to the humble abode in which the star led them to discover the King of Kings?


After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen in the east went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold and of incense and of myrrh. And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route. (Matthew 2:9-12)

How miraculously and graciously the hand of God directed these Magi, leading them directly to the Christ child. How joyful they were in God’s leading!The signs of God’s presence cannot help but fill us with great joy and peace. I am reminded of God’s Word to Joshua:

“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.” (Joshua 1:9)

“We cannot expect too little from man, nor too much from God.” -Matthew Henry
We should be glad for everything and everyone that points us to Christ–directing us to things above rather than earthly things. Paul tells us our minds and hearts should be focused upward:

Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. (Colossians 3:1-2)

There is continual joy in God’s presence. I am reminded of King David’s words:

There is continual joy in God’s presence.

You have made known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand. (Psalm 16:11)

God enabled these wise men to do that which they themselves were are unable to do by their own abilities and devices. No compass or GPS could have led them there. Even King Herod was befuddled over the whereabouts of the King of the Jews. As we follow after the Master, God directs, enables, and equips us through His power just as He did these Magi. I am reminded of Paul’s words:

I can do everything through him who gives me strength. (Philippians 4:13)

What in the world might have been the reaction of the Magi to the humble abode in which the star led them to discover the King of Kings? Surely they had to have been at the very least a little taken aback when they saw a cottage in lieu of a castle. Yet we discover in our verses quite the opposite. Undeterred, they humbly present themselves in worship first, then their gifts second. Interestingly, the Bible tells us they bow down in worship to the Lord Jesus even though they had not given such honor to Herod. Neither a castle nor a crown makes a man a king.

These Magi present their gifts of gold and incense and myrrh to young Jesus. What on earth could Mary have been thinking while all this was taking place? In the eastern nations when one did homage to their kings they brought gifts from their own country. The Proverb rings true:

A gift opens the way for the giver and ushers him into the presence of the great. (Proverbs 18:16)

“We cannot expect too little from man, nor too much from God.” -Matthew Henry

The gifts presented to Jesus had symbolic value as well as monetary value. Gold was offered because Jesus is King; incense was offered because Jesus is God and God was honored with the smoke of incense; and finally myrrh was offered to Jesus as a Man who would die as myrrh was used for embalming dead bodies. These gifts were a timely relief sent by God to Joseph and Mary in their present poor condition. This probably helped them when they headed towards Egypt. God also protected these Magi, warning them in a dream not to go back to King Herod.

Take It to Heart

Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight. (Proverbs 3:5-6)

   Follow Jesus
  •   Overview
  •   Discover New Resources
  •   Explore God's Word
  •   Connect With Believers
  •   "Next Steps" Videos
  •   Overview
  •   Born Again as a New Creation
  •   Abiding in Christ
  •   Embracing Your New Identity
  •   Loving God Wholeheartedly
  •   Pursuing Truth in God's Word
  •   Depending on the Spirit
  •   Obeying God Faithfully
  •   Connecting with God's Family
  •   Resisting the Enemy
  •   Advancing Christ's Kingdom
  •   "Living for Jesus" Videos
  •   Overview
  •   Explore the Bible
  •   Bible Study Tools
  •   Bible Study Courses
  •   Devotionals
  •   Key Verses
  •   "Time in God's Word" Videos
  •   Overview
  •   Pride vs. Humility
  •   Fear vs. Faith
  •   Anger vs. Forgiveness
  •   Overindulgence vs. Moderation
  •   Dissatisfaction vs. Contentment
  •   Deciet vs. Honesty
  •   Divisiveness vs. Harmony
  •   Rebellion vs. Obedience
  •   Irresponsibility vs. Dilligence
  •   "Next Steps" Videos
  •   "Living for Jesus" Videos
  •   "Time in God's Word" Videos

We like you.
Like us back on social media!


Take JesusOnline With You

Explore the JO App Now

Android APP

iOS APP

  EXPLORE THE APP NOW