December 6, 2015 · Matthew 2:11

Peace of the Magi

“I think what is most important for us is to recognize that when we meet God in Jesus, praise is due. Worship is required. And that's something happens in worshiping Jesus that allows us to have peace with God. But we gotta be careful because sometimes we can end up thinking that this worship is what gives us peace with God. But really what it is, the worship is the response to the peace that God is giving to us. Because really the first gift that is given in this passage is the gift of the baby of Jesus himself. Is this gift to humanity, and these people recognize it, and all they can do is kind of, "I don't have anything that's worth it, but I'll throw you some gold and some expensive perfumes and some ointments." They give all they can because as we raise praise, peace increases. As we praise God for the peace he's given to us, that peace is better inherited. The wisemen know that they're part of something special, that the God of the universe is bestowing us with this special treat and they were reacting this grace. And that's the secret to the peace of God to receive this free gift. But what happens when that happens is remarkable because as we start to come to peace with God by searching his scripture and meeting Jesus and bowing down and praising him, all of a sudden things start to change between us and our fellow humans. Peace amongst humans is part of the Christmas story.”