Human life is more than physical existence. It is
also spiritual, and at the same time mental/emotional and at the same time,
highly relational. Our worship ideally reflects that. In fact, it could be
argued that it must be a two or more faceted act, involving both your
body and your mind, or your spirit and your emotions, or some other permutation
of the various aspects of your humanity. We see this in the Scriptures all the
time – someone is bowing at the same time as they are confessing, or standing
and singing, or deeply moved emotionally while spiritually focused. If our
worship only involves one aspect of who we are, one must question if it is
truly worship, or if it is mere blind and unthinking obedience to tradition or
expection.
Matthew records the Magi
following the supernaturally moving star until, “On coming to the house, they saw the
child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they
opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold and of incense and
of myrrh.”[1]
The Magi actually were
worshipping the whole time they were on the journey. For the journey itself
meant their both their physical movement to follow the star and their constant
mental focus on enduring the hardship of travel for the opportunity to see
Christ the King. This culminates not only in their bowing down, but in their
sacrifice of costly gifts.
Gold we all know the value
of. One commentator adds, “Frankincense was a luxury
import, the rosin of a tree which grew in Arabia, India, and Somalia. Myrrh,
similarly, was the rosin of a tree which grew in Arabia and Ethiopia. These
rosins had a wide range of uses from ritual use in cultic practice and in
magic, to use at wedding ceremonies and for cosmetic purposes, to consumption
as spices or medicinally.”[2] Such things are never easy to obtain, and almost
always expensive. This is reflected in Matthew’s narrative, which tells us they
opened something (the Greek indicates a place where something – usually something
of value - is kept), and then presented gifts to Him. One always sacrifices for
what one loves – be it time, talent or treasure. In the Magi’s case, their
worship is particularly meaningful because it is the climax of a long journey
of worship, and because it involves both their spirits (rejoicing at having
found Him), their bodies (bowing down and lifting treasure) and their minds (purposing
to give valued possessions). It is the giving of something acquired through the
use of their talent(s) even as it is both a sacrifice of time and of treasure.
But then, they loved much
and were blessed much, so they gave much.
· How can you
worship through the use of your time and your talent and your treasure all at
the same time?
· What does your
sacrifice of treasure tell you about the extent of your love for Him?
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