Title: Let's Worship Jesus (Matthew 2:1-11)
When the Israelites were about to enter the land of Canaan, a prophet from the east left a prophecy about a star among the stars. In Numbers 24:17, the prophet Balaam said, “A star will come out of Jacob, and a scepter (a king) will rise out of Israel, and will smite Moab from one side to the other, and destroy Moab, and destroy the troubled children.” A star will appear and a king will be born. Balaam was a Bidol of the Euphrates. Balaam's prophecies were widely circulated and passed down through the centuries. The wise men, who believed the prophecy that a star would come from the house of Jacob, looked up to the sky and waited for the king's star to appear. These were astronomers, the virtuous and wise men of their time.
The star they have been waiting for is the star of hope and the star that announces the birth of Jesus. A star that can only be seen in dark times. Do you know what a person who sleeps at night is called? He's a no-nonsense person. A person who sees the stars is a person of faith. I am a person of hope. Stars are only visible in the sky. When the wise men saw this star, they rejoiced the most. The birth and death of humans are sometimes thought of in connection with the birth and disappearance of stars. Expresses an outstanding artist, lover, or athlete as a star. People's love and respect for the star looks great. The representation of great characters as stars continues in the Bible. The star is one of God's creations. However, through this star, we see that God is using it as a tool to reveal God's thoughts and heart. God told Abraham that your descendants would be as numerous as the stars in the sky. He who announced the birth of Jesus, or who made many people turn to righteousness, will shine like the stars for eternity.
Worshiping Jesus is
1. It must start with worshiping the baby Jesus.
Jesus came into this world from a baby. He came not as an adult Jesus, but as a baby Jesus. There are times when people do not recognize you when you come as the baby Jesus. He is the baby Jesus who is powerless and weak and cannot live on his own without the help of an adult. A few days ago, I saw the absurd and absurd thing that a father in his 20s threw his two children into the Han River using his inability to pay off the credit card debt. This father must have considered his children a burden. If he had regarded that child as a precious reward, he would not have abandoned him. They did not know that children were more precious than treasures. Why is it that even if an adult dies, the child is saved first? Because they are children who have the potential to brighten up this country and do amazing things that we have never done before.
Even the Jesus we believe in does not live by having the adult Jesus in our hearts, but by having the baby Jesus in our hearts. Today's Jesus is not a baby. But you have to understand that there is also the process of baby Jesus. Just because you've believed in Jesus for a long time doesn't mean you're serving the adult Jesus. If I learn and obey Jesus through sermons and the Bible about Jesus who has come into me, I will grow into a more and more grown Jesus in me. If I don't know Jesus well, it's like I am serving Jesus like a little child. For those who walk with Jesus and have deep fellowship with him, Jesus is like the adult Jesus.
When I live with the baby Jesus in my heart, this Jesus can exist as a person without miracles or power for me. But this Jesus is the One who will grow up and establish the kingdom of God with miracles and power. Let's not get discouraged because the Jesus we believe in doesn't have the same miracles and powers as the Jesus whom others believe. As my faith grows, Jesus, whom I believe in, will do wonderful things in me.
Be a worshiper of this baby Jesus. The prophets Simeon and Anna were happy to see the baby Jesus come. Because God's promises will come true. Although I may not experience the blessings of Jesus now, I will experience more in the future. And our children will experience it.
2. You must be guided by the stars.
The stars shine brighter in the dark night and how precious they are to those who find their way. It's a pity that you can't see the stars well these days due to pollution. The North Star has always been a guide from sea to land to those who find their way on the spot. Knowing where you are and knowing where to go is possible because of the stars at night.
In the book of Revelation, Jesus describes the seven angels of the seven churches as seven stars. It shows that Jesus is holding these seven stars in his right hand. The angel of the Lord serving the church is said to be a star.
The Magi are truth seekers. They saw the stars and knew the birth of Jesus. I have come to worship with the guidance of the stars. I followed the guidance of the stars to Jerusalem. Continue to lead them to the manger where Jesus was lying. It is a wonderful revelation to follow the guidance of the stars and worship Jesus. There is no doubt that there was a Christmas star. Jesus did not tell us to look again in heaven for the star that leads to Him. Now, he tells us to become worshipers of the Lord by being guided by the messengers we have set up in the church. There is no reason to live looking up to the sky anymore. Today's star that leads us to the manger of Jesus is in the church. If you want to meet Jesus, you must be guided by this star. Hebrews 13:7 “Speak to you the word of God, remember those who led you, and pay attention to the end of their conduct, and imitate their faith.”
Hebrews 13:17 “Be obedient to those who lead you and be submissive, for they watch for your souls as if they were accountants. None.”
If you are in the dark, you must look to the stars. You must be guided by the stars. The mission of the stars is to lead those in darkness to the light of Jesus. Believers must also live a life that reveals the truth of Jesus in this world. This is a life that shines like a star. Jesus said we are the light of the world. It shouldn't be the North Star, but it should be a small star.
A little star shining in the night The star thought like this
“My light is too weak!
Even if the road doesn't look dark, no one will be guided
My light is too weak! but i won't turn off
I will try harder to illuminate the wide and dark sky.”
… … … skip … … …
Oh little star!
Don't worry your star is too weak to shine at night
No matter how small, if you are consistent, you will light the path to eternity.
People will know in heaven where there are angels
That a little star shone a soul. (Vivien Jameson)
3. You must be guided by the Word of God.
It is necessary for believers to be guided by the Lord through the messengers of the church. But that alone is not enough. You must be guided by the Word of God. The wise men in search of the truth were guided not only by the stars, but also by the words of the Bible. We can meet Jesus only when we are guided by the words of the Bible. To worship Jesus, you must be guided by the Word. Study the Bible. Read on. Meditate. Live under the guidance of the Word. If you learn or read the Bible, or if there is a word that gives light to your heart, if you obey it, you are living under the guidance of the word.
When we meet the Lord, we worship. The heart of worship for the Lord is shown in the offering. All the magi bring gifts to the baby Jesus. If you look at the gifts recorded here, they are expensive things such as gold, frankincense, and myrrh. This gift was made for the baby Jesus. These are gifts that fit the status of a high priest who is a king and a prophet. Judging from the fact that the wise men prepared these gifts, you can guess how much they have been waiting for Jesus to come as King. You can feel how much effort you put into preparing to worship Jesus. Let us also consecrate the birth of Jesus and offer it as a gift prepared with sincerity to worship. The heart of our worship must be contained in the offering.