The Women’s Ministry wishes you and joyful and happy New Year!
With love & blessings,
Jacqueline Heider
Women’s Ministry Director
Christmas from the Magi’s Perspective
Read: Matthew 2:1-13
What do we learn about who the Magi are from this passage?
-Wise men from the east (not necessarily three -we are not given a number)
-Seeking the king of the Jews
-Saw His star in the east
-Came to worship the King
-Found Jesus, worshiped Him and presented Him with gifts
-Warned in a dream not to return to Herod with news of Jesus’ whereabouts
What do the Magi see?
A star that leads them to Jesus
How do the Magi respond?
They are seekers – They leave the east following a star, seeking the King of the Jews.
They rejoice – Once the star rests of their final destination, they rejoice exceedingly.
They worship Christ the King – They enter the house, bow down in worship and present Jesus with gifts.
What can we learn from the Magi’s perspective?
Like the magi/wise men, we too are seekers. But the question becomes, what are you seeking? Matthew 6:33 instructs us to seek first God’s kingdom and righteousness and all other things will be added to us. What things?
Read Matthew 6:25-33 and make a list of “these things”.
What did you discover? We are told not to be anxious or worried about provisions and care while on this earth. Our God will clothe and feed and provide for us just as he does the flowers of the field and the birds of the air. We are to concentrate on seeking Him first! But so often we find ourselves seeking the things of the world, and it can become all-consuming. A better house, car, job, vacation … the list can go on and on. Like the Magi, we need to make Jesus our priority pursuit and trust Him to provide all we need for this life and eternity.
Psalm 9:10 says “Those who know Your name put their trust in you, for you, O Lord, have not forsaken those who seek you.” Psalm 34:10 tells us that those who seek the Lord “lack no good thing”.
Are you making it a priority to seek the Lord?
The Magi also worshiped the King. What we are seeking or pursuing can often become what we worship. We will all worship something in life. The question is, what are you worshipping? Are you pursuing and worshipping the temporal things that will never truly satisfy or bring you joy?
Romans 12:1-2 tells us to “present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind…”
As you prepare for 2013, I encourage you to ask yourself a few questions:
What are you seeking?
What is your priority?
What are you worshipping?
How will you make seeking God and spending time in His Word a priority for this next year?
Rejoicing in Him and wishing you many blessings for the New Year!
Susan Cady
Women’s Ministry Bible Study Team