Thursday, March 6, 2025

Listen to the Word

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, frankincense and myrrh. (Matthew 2:11)

Matthew is the most Jewish of all the Gospels. The book overflows with Old Testament references, and it appears that one of its primary purposes is to persuade Jewish people that Jesus is in fact the long awaited Messiah predicted in their Scriptures. Yet Matthew’s story begins and ends with reminders that Jesus came not only for Jews, but for every occupant of the planet. Jesus’ baby shower is provided by foreign pagans who travel a great distance to give him gifts and worship him. Then the book’s final scene is Jesus telling his friends to go and make disciples of all nations.

Jesus deserves to be worshipped and followed by all kinds of people, including you and me.

Live the Word

Follow the example of the Magi and think of a gift you could offer Jesus. Perhaps you could share a kind word with someone he loves, or make a contribution to a ministry that serves others in his name.