Love in the In-Between - Devotion 2
He Came
Click here to play “Love Has Arrived”.
Advent is all about where you are looking and have been looking for hope, peace, joy, and love!
The King of kings is the baby Jesus. What is seen here is so much deeper than just the nativity scenes that you own. The coming of Jesus was foretold thousands of years previous. You have heard that, and you read some of the prophecies from Isaiah earlier in this book. However, when we look at the birth of Jesus through the eyes of these Magi (the Wise Men), we see something a little bit different and a lot bit amazing.
Just how did these Magi, from a totally different part of the world, even know about this King that would be born? Yes, there were prophecies, but why did they believe them? How did they know them? Where did they receive them? They were not Jewish. How did they know?
The reference to the star dates all the way back to the people of Israel in the wilderness during their 40-year wait for the Promised Land. Numbers 24:16-17 records, “The oracle of him who hears the words of God, and knows the knowledge of the Most High, who sees the vision of the Almighty, falling down with his eyes uncovered: I see him, but not now; I behold him, but not near: a star shall come out of Jacob, and a scepter shall rise out of Israel; it shall crush the forehead of Moab and break down all the sons of Sheth.”
There is a scepter that would arise from God’s people, One who would rule, and a star would come. This prophesied King associated with a star would deliver the people of God from their enemies. This King would not only be foretold in Numbers but also in Isaiah. Isaiah prophesied during a dark time for the people of God. However, God never forgot His people, nor would He leave them without a deliverer.
Isaiah 60:1-6 says, “Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you. For behold, darkness shall cover the earth, and thick darkness the peoples; but the Lord will arise upon you, and his glory will be seen upon you. And nations shall come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your rising. Lift up your eyes all around, and see; they all gather together, they come to you; your sons shall come from afar, and your daughters shall be carried on the hip. Then you shall see and be radiant; your heart shall thrill and exult, because the abundance of the sea shall be turned to you, the wealth of the nations shall come to you. A multitude of camels shall cover you, the young camels of Midian and Ephah; all those from Sheba shall come. They shall bring gold and frankincense, and shall bring good news, the praises of the Lord.”
Even the Magi were foretold to come to greet the baby born King of the Jews.
How did the Magi learn of this? God used even the captivity of His people to save them. When the people of God were taken by Babylon into captivity, they took their culture and God’s Word with them. The Magi had the ability to read the prophecy of the coming King of the Jews because of God’s plan.
Jesus was worshiped by these men from other nations, and gifts fit for a king were brought to Him. The symbolism of the gifts is not found in the Bible, but maybe a type of foreshadowing of who Jesus is and what He would do:
These Wise Men (the Magi or the three kings) brought their gifts to the King of all kings. Amazingly, Jesus was possibly only a two-year-old toddler at the time.
Can you picture it? Jesus is probably somewhere between 12-24 months old. He might be cooing and maybe even toddling. These men, dressed in royal garb, came bearing gifts. Reluctant parents saw them come. The last king the Magi dealt with wanted Jesus dead. However, they came before Him, and they did not proclaim who they were. They did not talk about all of the things they had done. What did they do?
Matthew 2:10-11 records, “When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. And going into the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh.”
They rejoiced with exceeding joy. We are not talking about, “Oh, that is cool.” They were ecstatic! They carried that joy with them into the house of Mary and Joseph.
When they saw this toddler (the King of kings, Emmanuel, the Messiah), they bowed low. These Wise Men (Magi, three kings) bowed low. They fell down and worshiped Him. They worshiped Him, and then, they offered Him the best gifts they had: gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
Click here to play “He is Born”.
He is born. He has come for you to offer you a relationship with the God of the universe. He is the God who loves you. He is Emmanuel. The Son of God has come to dwell with you and in you. He is the King of kings and the Lord of lords. He has come to save the world. He has come to save you. Now we can shout Noel! All is well because Jesus has made it well.
What do you have to offer Jesus this Christmas? Offer Him all of you. This is what He asks of you. Fall down before Him and believe He is who He says He is, and He did what He said He did. Romans 10:9 says, “Because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.”
If you do not know Jesus as your Savior today, you can call on the name of Jesus, and He will forgive you of your sin and renew your life. Your eternal destiny can be changed right where you sit. If you have been walking far off from Jesus, He waits for you with open arms, wanting you to come home.
Will you bow down before the baby in the manger today? If you have made a decision about Jesus today for the first time or you desire to come home to Him today, please text RiverConnect to 97000. We would love to celebrate with you and answer any questions you may have.
You are loved more than you can ever know. Jesus has come, and He will never leave you or forsake you. Bow down before Jesus along with the Wise Men and worship Him today.