Tuesday, March 11, 2025
New Testament Reading Plan: Matthew 2
We three kings…..
For many of us that probably results in finishing the phrase with “of Orient are,” and perhaps continuing the tune about the Wise Men from the east (there were probably more than three) who traveled to celebrate the birth of Jesus, our Messiah. Matthew Chapter 2 provides us with a glimpse of the gifts the Magi brought along to honor Christ.
Matthew 2:11b
Then they opened their treasure chests and gave him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
The Magi gave baby Jesus gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh? I can kind of understand the gold because it could be spent on his care. However, frankincense was a resin, and myrrh was a perfume traditionally used to anoint dead bodies!
Don’t those sound like strange gifts to give a baby? There is a lot of symbolism in all three gifts, but I want to draw your attention to their frequently overlooked gift.
Matthew 2:11a
They entered the house and saw the child with his mother, Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him.
They bowed down and worshiped him. Their worship is a gift we don’t often consider. Yet it’s arguably the most important gift of all!
Romans 12:1
And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him.
Are you regularly gifting God with your worship? Or, maybe, you don’t even know where to start.
There are so many different ways we can worship God. Through our prayers, by calling on his name, and listening to his voice. By reading our Bible and asking God to influence every aspect of our lives. We can spend time outside, surrounding ourselves with the beauty of his creation, and giving ourselves room to be filled with awe. Or we can put on our favorite worship music and sing along.
You need to find the ones that are right for you!
And while it is important to worship Jesus on a personal level, our relationship with him was never meant to be private. The Magi worshipped Jesus together, and God invites us to do the same. Once you’ve found what works for you, share the experience and God’s love with someone else!
Questions:
Do you have a routine of worship? What will you do today to worship? Is your worship a gift you can give to someone else?
Next Steps:
Read Matthew Chapter 2. Ask God to illuminate a section of reading for you to further investigate. Investigating God’s word can be a form of worship for you today.
Set aside time to intentionally worship God every day for a week. Practice being still and listening, reading your Bible, and praying. Respond to God’s work in you with repentance and faith. Write down some things you are thankful for and turn it into praise. Take a little walk and enjoy the beauty in God’s creation. Put on some worship music and sing along or dance. Just get creative!
Prayer:
Father, I’m so grateful for the ways you allow me to worship and praise you. Help me to give you more of me by finding new and creative ways to worship you. Let me boldly share the blessings in my life with others so that they may get to know you too. I praise and worship you in the name of Jesus, now and in all ways. Amen.
Series Theme Verse:
Ephesians 4:29
Don’t use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them.
This post was written by Julie Estep, a Perrysburg attendee and regular contributor to the LivingItOut.