come to jesus

1 After Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem, 2 saying, “Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.” 3 When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him; 4 and assembling all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. 5 They told him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for so it is written by the prophet: 6 ” 'And you, O Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for from you shall come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel.' ” Matthew 2:1-6

I have some issues with the Christmas carol “We three kings of Orient are . . .” It's really confusing. The wise men weren't kings and they weren't from the Orient. One thing we know is that they overcame some significant barriers in getting to Jesus. And the barriers were ones we also face if we choose to worship him.

Matthew 2:2 says, “After Jesus was born . . . wise men from the east came to Jerusalem, saying, 'Where is he who has been born King of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.'”

The wise men overcame cultural barriers to get to Jesus. They saw a star and followed it. Undoubtedly they believed Numbers 24:17, which prophesied, “A star shall come out of Jacob, and a scepter shall rise out of Israel.” How easy it would have been to dismiss the sign as only for the Jews. Instead, these men traveled by faith, believing God's Word.

They also overcame religious barriers to get to Jesus. Throughout history, people have believed that you can make your own way to God. Make no mistake about it—Jesus will not be welcomed into some portfolio of world religions. There's just one way to God and it's through Jesus.

Finally, the wise men overcame convenience barriers to get to Jesus. Some think it took them over a year to travel the 900 miles across the desert on foot and by camel. No matter how difficult the task, the magi had a mission—they had come to worship Jesus.

What draws you to Jesus this Christmas? Have you stepped off the broad road of “many ways to God” or cultural do-good-ism and said, “I've come to worship him as my Lord and my Savior”?

Nothing else in the Christmas story matters as much as who you believe Jesus is. He broke the barriers that our sin had built between us and God. He is worthy of our worship. He is worthy of our lives. Do you know him? —James MacDonald walkintheword.com

seeking: Father, how have I just seen the birth of Jesus in a fresh way? How has the idea of his overcoming barriers to reach me touched my heart?

responding: What barriers keep me from worshiping Jesus as my Lord and Savior? How can I pray for friends and family who are still at a distance from him? What can I say or do as I visit with them this holiday?

Lord, I know I'm a sinner. I believe your Word that says Jesus was born to die so that I could be forgiven. I believe he rose from the dead to prove that he is God. I turn to you by faith, and I embrace Jesus as the only basis and hope for my forgiveness. Come into my life, Lord. Forgive my sins. Help me to live for you for the rest of my life.

following: Come let us adore him, Jesus the Lord.

our journey