Worship That Releases Control

The wise men and Herod both speak about worship, but their actions reveal opposite responses to Jesus. The travelers seek the child, rejoice when they find him, bow before him, and open their treasures. Herod seeks information so that he can destroy the one he perceives as a threat. Matthew lets his readers see that religious language alone cannot establish genuine devotion. Herod can use the vocabulary of worship while arranging violence; the wise men express worship through costly honor and obedience to the warning they receive. The contrast centers on control. Herod tries to preserve his rule by eliminating Jesus, while the visitors acknowledge a king whose arrival calls for their submission. We need not possess Herod’s power to recognize the temptation to protect our own authority. True worship makes room for Jesus to rule, rather than recruiting him to secure our preferred position.

Put the Word into practice

Identify one decision in which you have been protecting your own control, and deliberately choose the option that honors Jesus rather than your status.

Search the Scripture

What do the wise men’s actions reveal about worship that Herod’s stated intention fails to demonstrate?

A prayerful response

King Jesus, uncover the places where my words of worship hide resistance to your rule. Replace my defensiveness with joy in honoring you. Teach me to offer you what I have, not merely speak respectfully about you.