Wise Men Come to Worship the King
Month 1: The Word Became Flesh · Family Worship
Today's Scripture
Read together: Matthew 2:1–12
1 After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem, 2 asking, “Where is the One who has been born King of the Jews? We saw His star in the east and have come to worship Him.” 3 When King Herod heard this, he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him. 4 And when he had assembled all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he asked them where the Christ was to be born. 5 “In Bethlehem in Judea,” they replied, “for this is what the prophet has written: 6 ‘But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah, for out of you will come a ruler who will be the shepherd of My people Israel.’” 7 Then Herod called the Magi secretly and learned from them the exact time the star had appeared. 8 And sending them to Bethlehem, he said: “Go and search carefully for the Child, and when you find Him, report to me, so that I too may go and worship Him.” 9 After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen in the east went ahead of them until it stood over the place where the Child was. 10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced with great delight. 11 On coming to the house, they saw the Child with His mother Mary, and they fell down and worshiped Him. Then they opened their treasures and presented Him with gifts of gold and frankincense and myrrh. 12 And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they withdrew to their country by another route.
Memory Verse
“Today in the city of David a Savior has been born to you. He is Christ the Lord!”— Luke 2:11 (BSB)
📖 Bible-in-a-Year (optional)
Today's reading: Exodus 39–40; Leviticus 1
Reading the whole Bible in a year — do this when you have extra time. (Around Day 28 of 365 — the tabernacle is finished, and the glory of the Lord fills it.)The Heart of It
The wise men came from far away in the east. They were likely scholars from another land and another religion. They followed a star God had set for them. They traveled hundreds of dusty miles. And they didn't come just to meet a king. They came to worship one. When they finally found Jesus, "they fell down and worshiped Him." Then they opened their treasures: gold, frankincense, and myrrh (). These were foreigners and outsiders. They were the kind of people the religious leaders looked down on. And yet they are the ones who came to bow. Meanwhile, the priests in Jerusalem knew exactly where the Messiah would be born. They could quote the prophecy by heart. But they never bothered to walk the six miles to see Him.
That contrast is the heart of today's family worship. It's possible to know all about Jesus and never actually worship Him. The wise men teach us the right way to respond to the King. We don't just learn facts about Jesus. We bow. We give Him our best. We let our knowing turn into loving. As a family tonight, let's not be like the busy scribes who had the right answer but cold hearts. Let's be like the wise men who saw the King and fell down in joy. Worship is what knowledge is for.
Around the Table
Wise men followed a special star all the way to find baby Jesus! They got down low to worship Him, and they gave Him presents.
Let's do it: Kneel down low together and say, "Jesus, You are the King!"
The wise men came from far away just to worship Jesus. They brought gold for a king, and other gifts too. Those gifts showed how special they knew He was.
Let's talk: What is one "treasure" you could give to Jesus this week? It could be your time, your kindness, or your talents.
The scribes knew the prophecy by heart, yet they stayed home. The foreign wise men traveled far to worship. Knowing about Jesus is not the same as worshiping Him.
Let's go deeper: Where in your life do you have "right answers" about God that haven't yet turned into real worship?
💬 Conversation Starter
If you could give Jesus one gift He'd really love, what would it be?— The wise men gave their best treasures — and their worship!
🛡️ Defending the Faith
The wise men show that the Gospel was never just for one nation. Gentiles bowed to Jesus from the very start. And Matthew mentions King Herod, a real ruler confirmed by history. That again roots the story in actual events, not myth.
For Dad · Go Deeper
This passage is a sober warning aimed straight at religious households. The chief priests had perfect doctrine. They could cite from memory. And yet they had perfectly cold hearts. They had information without adoration. The danger for a devoted, Bible-teaching dad is to raise children who know the right answers and never bow. So as you close out this first month, make this family-worship time about response, not just content. Let your kids see you worship. Kneel. Sing. Give thanks aloud. Get emotional about Jesus. The wise men "rejoiced with exceedingly great joy" (v. 10). Lead your family not merely to study the King, but to fall down before Him.
Draws on: D. A. Carson, Matthew (Expositor's Bible Commentary).
Let's Pray Together
"Father, we don't just want to know about Jesus. We want to worship Him. Take our best today. Take our hearts. In Jesus' name, amen."
Knowing about the King is not enough. Like the wise men, I will bow and worship Him.