Herod, the desperate ruler of Judea, privately called the wisemen to a meeting in that well-known year that scholars believe was around 4 B.C. Apparently a child had been born who was threatening his royal position, and he was going to make sure that no itty bitty boy would usurp his spot as king. He gave the wisemen this order. "Go to Bethlehem and search carefully for the child, and when you find him, let me know, so that I too may go and worship Him." Matthew 2:8
Go and worship him too? These words caught my attention and my brain shot out onto a thought path. How many people today also say they want to worship Him, but it's simply to please other people or to try to make themselves feel good? How many people say all the right words, but their hearts aren't in it? How many people attend church and look perfect on the outside but inside they are like caves of dead bones, to quote John the Baptist.
A week ago yesterday, we had our Christmas Program at school. As teachers we put a lot of thought into how and why we select the words and songs we do, but this year my brain felt like a blank sheet of paper. Absolutely clueless. As I stood before the group of students one morning before practise, I told them the story. I proceeded to explain how I had been completely blank when it came to ideas for a program, and how typically I have at least a clue what it will be about in the summer or at least when school starts. But this year, the well was dry. I related how I had told one of my coteachers that I guess God knows my brain has enough to handle right now and will give the ideas when it's time. And so it came to pass on Monday or Tuesday of the week I took a break to rest my weary body, that I spoke to God and said, "Well Lord, maybe it's time for some program ideas." And just like that, as faithfully as He always does, He put the theme into my mind. Within a few hours, the entire program, minus a couple songs and some editing, was in order.
Now you may smile and say, "Well, you finally had time to think, or it was just your imagination." Indeed, both of those were tools in the process, but over several years of teaching, I have come to know a God who understands and uses us in our weakness. He delights to fill us with His Spirit and give us guidance, inspiration, and passion if we will only yield our broken and empty vessels to Him.
As I thought about Herod's method of worshipping, I pictured him atop his jewelled throne, looking down at this tiny baby from his prestigious position, or at best, arriving at the place where Christ and his parents lived with a grand carriage, lots of servants, and quite probably a lot of honour and show directed at himself. Next, I pictured the wisemen, bowing with their faces to the ground, humbly prostrating themselves before a baby King. Completely surrendered and offering what they had to give.
And I wondered about the kind of worshippers we are today. I believe there are those who want the glory for themselves. It is easy to fall into this selfish human trap of doing good deeds, and organizing charitable pursuits, all for the praise. They may ask God for selfish things and serve Him for what they can get out of it. Of course, when hardships come, they will be forced to make a choice, and find it quite easy to walk away from a God who no longer serves their selfish purpose. In the process, these people competely miss their true need for salvation.
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I ended my story to my students, and looked at them. They stood their listening attentively as I spoke, "You know. You can do this entire program. You can sing the songs well and recite your part perfectly, but if you miss the point that He loves you, you've missed it all. He came for you. He died for you. He was mocked, beaten, spit on, and tortured just for you.
And so it is. He loves you. Nothing you can ever do, will change the fact that He died for you. Your worst sins, your ugliest pride, and your blindest selfishness, cannot get rid of His deep love. He's looking at you. He wants you.
What will you do about it?
