Matt 2, Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem, saying, 2 “Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we saw His star in the east and have come to worship Him.” 3 When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. 4 Gathering together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Messiah was to be born. 5 They said to him, “In Bethlehem of Judea; for this is what has been written by the prophet:6 ‘AND YOU, BETHLEHEM, LAND OF JUDAH,
ARE BY NO MEANS LEAST AMONG THE LEADERS OF JUDAH;
FOR OUT OF YOU SHALL COME FORTH A RULER
WHO WILL SHEPHERD MY PEOPLE ISRAEL.’”Matt. 2:7 Then Herod secretly called the magi and determined from them the exact time the star appeared. 8 And he sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search carefully for the Child; and when you have found Him, report to me, so that I too may come and worship Him.” 9 After hearing the king, they went their way; and the star, which they had seen in the east, went on before them until it came and stood over the place where the Child was. 10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. 11 After coming into the house they saw the Child with Mary His mother; and they fell to the ground and worshiped Him. Then, opening their treasures, they presented to Him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. 12 And having been warned by God in a dream not to return to Herod,
the magi left for their own country by another way.
The lovesick see what others don’t see; say what others don’t say; find what others don’t find; and give what others don’t give. First love is very expensive, but it is a delightful expense. People who are in love often will spend time, and money they can’t afford to spend. They sacrifice relationships that are very important to them for the sake of love, never imagining that it is a real sacrifice at all. First love worshipers are the same way but even more so in their life of delightful sacrifice towards Christ. Worshipers long to offer things to Jesus that cost them something, not because he requires it of them, but because love compels them to. Lovesick worshipers offer extravagant acts of obedience to Jesus without any regard of how costly it might be. They give him time that others might never give him. They joyfully sacrifice relationships if necessary, and the pleasures of this life, for the pleasures of loving Jesus. The approval of men is easily abandoned for love. Things like prayer and fasting are no longer duties to be endured, but the delights of a reordered life for love’s sake. The magi, having encountered Jesus, fell down before him in adoration, and offered him gold, frankincense, and myrrh, as expressions of their adoration. Once again, the best verse I know that describes the true heart of worship is Romans chapter 12 verse one, “I urge you therefore brethren by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service of worship.” The absolute, and total surrender of your entire life offered on the altar of love, is the only reasonable expression of worship in light of God’s goodness. The New Testament word for “worship,” comes from two words; “to kiss,” and “toward.” True worshipers are living their lives constantly giving away the kisses of a surrendered life towards the lover of their soul, Jesus.”