The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

Matthew 2:8-12, “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.
11After 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.”

There is nothing to indicate whether the magi believed the words of King Herod –words that said he himself would “come and worship” the Child. Yet, the star they had followed from their home country was still visible and ultimately guided them to the place where the Child Jesus was.

The Child, however, was no longer in the manger in Bethlehem, when the shepherds visited Him. He was then a newly born baby (?????? brephos). With the arrival of the magi, significant time had elapsed and He was now a “young child” (??????? paidion), and living in a house (????? oikia) with Mary, His mother. This lapse of time also indicates the earnest determination of the magi to find Him. Oh, that people today were driven by such determination!

The magi had diligently followed the star in their search for the Child. Now, upon finding Him, they “fell to the ground and worshipped Him.” There were no bells or drums or hands waving mindlessly in the air. It was an incredibly, solemn moment, a quiet, worshipful time. They were in the presence of the Savior of the world and doubtlessly in a state of breathless, worshipful awe.

The gifts the magi had brought, honored Him exclusively! Our trivial offerings pale by comparison of value and in the attitude of bestowal. What the mind of the young Child Jesus comprehended of all of this, we are not told. What He thinks of the gift of ourselves, (body, mind, soul, spirit) is revealed in the Word He has preserved for us through the ages. We are responsible to give ourselves to Him and to attend to the duties He assigns, until He comes again! Are we ready for Him to come? Are we willingly, fully yielded to Him? I pray that I am; and I pray that you are, also.

Heartily in Christ Jesus,

(Dado III)

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.
Springdale, Arkansas 72764
United States of America

“We never know that Christ is all we need until He becomes all that we have.” – Corrie ten Boom