ROUND TRIP

Exhausting. That would be an appropriate feeling regarding the journey of the magi from Matthew chapter 2.

As it turns out, nowhere in Scripture does it state there were three of them. It doesn’t say they arrived at Jesus’ birth, but rather that they “saw His star in the east.” Scripture doesn’t tell us they were kings. The Greek term is μάγοι, which is most accurately translated “magi.”

Scripture doesn’t tell us exactly where they were from, but after worshipping Jesus and outwitting Herod, they began a journey home. Herod was so outraged after being duped, he ordered the massacre of all the little boys in-and-around Bethlehem age two and under “in keeping with the time he learned from the magi.”

It appears these magi likely traveled up to two years to come and worship the little boy Jesus. They were “overjoyed beyond measure,” and lavished gifts upon the Lord after falling to their knees in humble submission, i.e. worship. Then, as quickly as they arrived, they vanished. About two years of travel for just one brief opportunity of authentic worship. Then they began the long journey back home… four years - round trip!

Meanwhile, the elite religious types - the chief priests and scribes - did nothing. There’s no record of their watching the skies, traveling, sacrificing, bowing, submitting, or worshipping. They had all the info but did nothing with it. We know this because when Herod asked them, “Where would the Messiah be born?” Their immediate response was, “In Bethlehem of Judea.”

Knowledge without action isn’t wisdom. It’s the folly of sin.

The religious folks banked everything on their being biological descendants of Abraham. They felt no real need to do anything in their minds. There was no real sense of urgency for those souls still held captive to sin’s curse. Instead, the intoxicating allure of the flesh, job security, comfort, and positions of power… those “real” and “immediate” needs were/are far more pressing than the incarnation of Messiah and worshipping Him.

Searching might come across as being fanatical… waiting, nonsensical… sacrificing, terribly inconvenient. Meanwhile, the magi embarked upon a two-year journey for an opportunity.

Funny how we’ll plot, scheme, and camp out - literally - for weeks or even months at a time for concert tickets, closeout sales, and bargain basement deals; but when it comes to the authentic worship of Jesus, the one who died that terrible and beautiful death, we’re more like the elite religious sycophants than the magi. Where our heart is, there our treasures will be also.

We change churches when the music isn’t to our liking. We sit at home with arms folded and steam rising from our heads when the service times become inconvenient. We misquote Scripture and spew our Christianese to justify and validate virtually anything from “holy” wars to gay marriage to ignoring the lost. We perpetually bail fellowship in search of easier pastures and spoon-fed religion that tickles our ears.

We head for the hills when rebuked, corrected, or lovingly challenged by church leadership or are asked to sign covenant membership agreements that actually spell out convictions and responsibilities as a follower of Christ. We make it about the signing, when we're perfectly okay signing our name to mortgages and automobiles we cannot afford, products we shouldn't buy, and our idols we love to worship.

Some of us even rip the eject handle when our vote simply isn’t in the majority. Then we justify it all - gossiping to our friends, "Yeah, those people at that church... Wow! Can you believe it?" Funny, it just seems to follow us wherever we go.

Jesus is revealed as the incarnate new Genesis covenant fulfillment in Matthew 1. Chapter 2 is a condensed and concise picture of Matthew’s call for the Christian life: Worship and disciple!

There are only two categories of people; 1) the blind, proud, idolatrous insiders - selfish power-hungry fools who've chosen the serpent as their daddy, and 2) the outsiders from far away in the east (the direction humanity was cast out from Eden) who recognize their depravity by God’s grace, repent of their sin, call out in hopeless desperation, see His star, risk everything and embark on any journey in hopes of one moment of authentic worship at Messiah’s feet before getting back to the business and mission of the Gospel to the ends of the earth. Worship and disciple.

When we stop and consider the round trip journey, can we honestly say that’s how much we love Jesus? Can we honestly say that we ARE willing? Are we selling and abandoning everything for Him? Am I risking life and limb for Him? Am I currently giving up the rights to every aspect and facet of my life in every minute of every day for Him?

Does my life look more like that of the magi - a four-year round trip - or more like that of the elite religious types; too busy, too proud, and too secure to bother lifting a finger? Am I filled with knowledge and information that’s going nowhere and doing nothing for God’s glory? Am I willing to make that trip for one brief moment of authentic worship - one that begins with repentance? The magi were, and they were never the same. Those who truly encounter Him never are.

Are you ready for a round trip?

Blessings,

-Kevin M. Kelley

aMostUnlikelyDisciple.com