I have seen prisoners or war or military soldiers when
returning to American soil kiss the ground. I know this is an unspoken symbol.
It means they are glad to have arrived safely at a longed for destination. It
means love for all that they hold dear. This was an image that popped into my
head as I studied the Christmas story in the Bible. I am at the place in my
study where the wise men come to see the Christ child. OK, you might not see
the correlation yet but I hope I’ll be able to clarify. But you know how my
mind hops around, so here goes…
Matthew 2:1-11
Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the
days of Herod the king, magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem, saying, “Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we saw His star
in the east and have come to worship Him.” When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem
with him. Gathering together all the chief priests and scribes
of the people, he inquired of them where the Messiah was to be born. They said to him, “In
Bethlehem of Judea; for this is what has been written by the prophet:
‘AND YOU, BETHLEHEM, LAND OF JUDAH,
ARE BY NO MEANS LEAST AMONG THE LEADERS OF JUDAH;
FOR OUT OF YOU SHALL COME FORTH A RULER
WHO WILL SHEPHERD MY PEOPLE ISRAEL.’”
Then Herod secretly called the magi and determined from them the exact time the star appeared. 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.” 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. When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. After 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. (I underlined the parts I like.)
‘AND YOU, BETHLEHEM, LAND OF JUDAH,
ARE BY NO MEANS LEAST AMONG THE LEADERS OF JUDAH;
FOR OUT OF YOU SHALL COME FORTH A RULER
WHO WILL SHEPHERD MY PEOPLE ISRAEL.’”
Then Herod secretly called the magi and determined from them the exact time the star appeared. 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.” 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. When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. After 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. (I underlined the parts I like.)
The word “worship” in this passage is “proskyneo.” It sounds kind of
funny if you try to say it. And, of course, it meant nothing to me until I
researched the word. In Greek this word is a combination of “bow down on the
ground” and “kissing in adoration.” Now
you can see where I got the picture of kissing the ground.
These wise men saw a new star and discerned that it meant a king of
Jewish people was born. They decided that though they did not worship the
Jewish God they should worship this king. That’s amazing to me. They came and
took every measure to diligently find this baby and when they did they bowed
down and kissed the ground in adoration. They arrived safely at their longed
for destination and rejoiced with exceedingly great joy. They loved that time
and that place and that King as all they held dear.
I wonder if I worship my Jesus with that much fervor. I know I want too. Everything seems to
compete at this time of year to distract me from this. So this year I’m going
to take a little quiet time away from crowded malls, parties, and family to
worship. Really worship.
Will you come with me?
Come let us worship Him.
