Generous Worship

Consider:

God drew the Magi to Jesus using something familiar and fascinating. They could have easily worshipped the star given to them by God to follow, but God’s revelation to them evoked awe for the Divine. 

Read Matthew 2:11a. What did the Magi do first when they saw Jesus with Mary?

 

The Magi, humbled at such a sight, bowed down. They worshipped humbly, acknowledging their place in the presence of Jesus. 

 

Read Matthew 2:11b. What did the Magi do after bowing down?

 

Notice the verbs here, “opened” and “presented” demonstrating a release of what they brought to offer Jesus. Look at the nouns too, “treasures” and “gifts.” They were ready to give generously to the One worthy of their treasures.

 

Explore:

 

The distant today also encounter God. God draws them to Himself and the response is humble worship and generous giving. I think of the distant who hear the name of Jesus and are drawn to His forgiveness and grace, repent, are baptized, and live renewed in a place where such actions could mean persecution, ostracization or even death. What an expression of devotion, willing to sacrifice the treasure of life! Now that’s a generous gift! 

 

Others distant, but perhaps spiritually distant living in our own communities or families, can also be drawn in by God in a familiar and fascinating way. When they come to a place of worship, the things they treasured are offered to Him, a gift of sacrificial love to the only One worthy.

 

Read Matthew 26:6-13. What does Jesus call the thing the woman has done for Him?

 

Jesus honors a gift presented to Him, with open hands, as treasures. When the distant are drawn to Him, they respond with a generous offering. The inclusion of the Magi in the story of the Messiah’s birth shows us God’s heart for the distant and demonstrates a likely response.

 

Pray:

 

Pray for the distant people you know. Pray they would be drawn to God in a familiar and fascinating way which results in generous worship. Ask God to move in the life of someone distant so their generous offering inspires others to give generously and worship with reverence just as the Magi did long ago.