When Worship Requires a Long Journey
By Hannah L. Benson
Bible Reading:
“Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem, saying, ‘Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him’” (Matthew 2:1-2 ESV).
When we think of Christmas, we often think of Christmas carols, a baby lying in a manger, shepherds in the field, and wise men bearing gifts to the King of the Jews.
But the first Christmas wasn’t as “silent” and “calm” as the carols lead us to believe.
Before Jesus was born, Mary and Joseph endured what may have been a roughly ninety-mile journey to Bethlehem, according to historical geography. And miles away in the east, another journey began, one that would require months of travel across harsh terrain before these travelers ever laid eyes on the King.
We don’t know how long the Magi traveled before they arrived in Bethlehem. But Scripture offers an interesting clue: when King Herod inquired about the star’s appearance and eventually ordered the execution of male children in the region, he targeted boys two years old and younger (Matthew 2:16). This means Jesus was likely a toddler already living in a house (Matthew 2:11), suggesting the wise men’s search was not an easy, brief journey, but a relentless, long-term pursuit.
The wise men were well-versed in astronomy and had no doubt studied the stars and signs in the sky. It’s also possible they were familiar with Jewish prophecy and the rumblings of the coming Messiah. Either way, the moment they saw the star rise in the east, they knew something amazing had happened and that the long-awaited King of the Jews had been born.
We often think of the end of the Magi’s journey, the moment when they fell on their faces before Jesus, worshiped Him, and presented Him with their gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
But we rarely consider the months, or perhaps years, spent traversing desert expanses and rocky terrain. While the book of Matthew doesn’t detail their route, we can infer from historians that day after day, they likely would have faced scorching heat, freezing nights, the constant threat of bandits, and the fatigue of an exhausting journey.
Think about it. These wise men traveled across the perilous desert. No doubt they knew one wrong turn could cost them both their lives and the treasures they carried.
But no matter what they encountered, God protected them. By the time they arrived at the house where the young King stayed, their treasures were intact, ready to be offered in worship.
Imagine their immense joy when they finally arrived where Jesus was. When the star went before them and then rested over the place, Scripture records that they “rejoiced exceedingly with great joy” (Matthew 2:9-10 ESV).
What must it have been like to feel that joy course through their veins as the moment they had pursued for so long finally arrived?
It’s likely these were wealthy and influential men who chose to humble themselves by traveling to see a King, at the time still a young child.
Intersecting Faith & Life:
I don’t know what you are going through today. Perhaps you feel like you’re traveling through the proverbial desert or fighting to survive.
I wonder if the wise men ever felt like giving up. Surely, the journey was laborious. Did they ever wonder if they would make it in time, if the trek was worth the difficulty?
While it may have been difficult, the wise men chose to keep moving forward, trusting that what they would find at the end of their journey would make it all worth it.
And once they laid their eyes on Jesus and fell on their knees before the King of the Jews, I’m sure they didn’t think about how hard it was to get there.
While we aren’t traveling across a physical desert, our lives as believers are a journey of their own. Keep moving forward. The road may be long and wearying, but the prize waiting at the end, Jesus Himself, makes every single step worth it.
Pray with me: Dear Father God, I feel like I’m on a long journey today, and I’m struggling to keep going. Please help me to worship You even when it’s hard and to keep pressing onward to see Your face at the end of this race. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Join the conversation! Share how today’s devotional encouraged or challenged you in your walk with Christ.
Photo Credit: Unsplash/Kyle Cottrell
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