The nativity is such a pretty scene- the small family with a newborn, the humble shepherds, singing angels, and wise men with birthday gifts. But wait! Read the words in Matthew again: “On coming to the house, they saw the child”. The wise men didn’t visit Jesus in the stable!

There are actually a lot of unanswered questions about Jesus’ first months on earth. How long was Jesus in the stable? We don’t know for sure. The Bible also doesn’t tell us precisely who the wise men were, where they came from, when they arrived, how long they stayed, or even how many wise men visited Jesus. We also don’t know exactly how the magi knew the special star meant that Jesus was born. All we know is that God did reveal this to them.

These questions that we have, though they are interesting details, don’t matter to the story at all. God always tells us everything that we need to know in his Word. Here is what we do know: the Magi knew the star was different and that God sent it. We know they went out of their way to find and worship the King. And we know that the gifts were very, very expensive treasures of the world at that time: gold, frankincense, and myrrh. And we know that this Jesus was the Savior of the whole world.

The words tell us “When they saw the star, they were overjoyed.” They had been waiting for Jesus, the king! Jesus is ruler of heaven and earth, the king of our hearts. When the wise men saw Jesus, they treated him like the royalty that he is. They first worshiped him, honoring him as the Savior of all the world, and then presented him with precious gifts.

Is Jesus your king? Do you honor him by worshiping him in your church and at home? Do you drop everything and even go out of your way, like the Wise Men did, to praise him? Or do you only go to church when it is convenient, or pray when you desperately need something? Do you give him your very best treasures of time, talents, or money?

Sadly we often act more like the disinterested religious experts of Herod’s court than we do like those faithful Magi. But that is exactly why Jesus came in the first place, isn’t it? He came not only be your ruler-king but also your victor-king. The child of Mary went to war against our every enemy, even the one found in our own hearts. He conquered your sins by paying their price on the cross.

Truly our Savior, who suffered and died for all of our sins, is worthy of the very best efforts we can give. He knows our sins, how we are tempted by this world, and offers himself as the answer to our every need. Jesus is our King-he is here! The long-awaited Savior has come for all. May we honor our King every day until he comes again!