Daily Reading & Prayer
Universal Worship
Read
Matthew 2:1-2, "After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, "Where is the one who was born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him."
Think
Centuries before Jesus was born, the prophet Isaiah wrote, "Nations will come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your rising." (Isaiah 60:3) These verses in the book of Matthew record foreigners coming from the east to worship Jesus because of “his star.” That’s amazing! They fulfilled this Messianic prophecy.
The wise men had come to worship this king of the Jews. These first worshipers were court magicians and astrologers, not from Israel, but from the east — perhaps from Babylon. They were Gentiles and, as such, unclean. Yet Matthew records these Gentiles as the first in his gospel to bow before Jesus. God guided foreigners to Christ to worship Him.
It is God's aim that all nations worship Jesus, His Son. This universal worship is true for everybody, including those in your place of work, in your neighborhood and in your home. The question is, are you God's star that rises in your environment that causes others to seek Jesus?
Act
Watch for opportunities today to be the light of Jesus to people in your school, neighborhood and workplace today!
Pray
Heavenly Father, thank You that I can be a light for Jesus wherever I am. Today, shine His light through me to those around me. In Jesus' name, Amen.