Observation #1 - The Wise Men were Seekers
There is something powerfully compelling about the Wise Men's decision to find this new King. They were deliberate in their pursuit. The long and treacherous journey, their life circumstances and distractions, their unanswered questions - it didn't matter, they went all-out to have an encounter with Jesus. As worshipers, we must do the same. That brings us to:
LESSON #1: WORSHIP IS INTENTIONAL. (We worship on purpose).
Observation #2 - The Wise Men desired to be in His Presence
I love that the Wise Men approached King Herod with boldness, asking him, "Where is the one who has been born King of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.” (Matthew 2:2) The Wise Men were so focused and so convinced of a new King, they weren't hiding the fact that they needed to be in His presence so they could personally worship Him. In John 4:24, Jesus said that "God is spirit, and His worshipers must worship in spirit and in truth." When we worship, it is a spiritual encounter. It's when we spiritually come into God's presence.
LESSON #2: WORSHIP IS SPIRITUAL.
Observation #3 - The Wise Men had the right Attitude
The Bible doesn't tell us what the Wise Men said in their initial encounter. It does, however, tell us what they did - they "bowed down and worshiped." (Matthew 2:11). The Wise Men had an attitude of reverence and humility. In a sense, they laid down their crowns in that moment of worship. For us, true worship is about the heart, and in this sense it's emotional. Our worship moments must be similar to theirs - full of wonder and awe - full of admiration and reverence. We should approach Him with a sincere, heart-felt attitude. Our worship should have a feeling and expression of sincere praise, awe, wonder, humility, and thanksgiving.
LESSON #3: WORSHIP IS EMOTIONAL.
To Summarize:
LESSON #1: Worship is Intentional.
LESSON #2: Worship is Spiritual.
LESSON #3: Worship is Emotional
CONCLUSIONS
When all three of these components are engaged, we are truly worshiping God. Another way to describe those three components of worship are
1. THE MIND (Worship is Intentional)
2. THE SOUL (Worship is Spiritual)
3. THE HEART (Worship is Emotional)
When we involve the mind, the soul, and the heart in worship, we are, what I call, "worshiping in the zone." This is the true form of worship. It can happen anywhere, at anytime. It can happen in a brief moment or an extended time period. It can be prompted by a song, or a sunset, or a sermon, or anything that reminds us of God.
ONE SENTENCE DEFINITION OF WORSHIP
"Worship is a deliberate moment when we spiritually bow down before the Lord and express our heart-felt praise, awe, thanksgiving or adoration."
In this one-sentence definition, the mind ("deliberate moment...."), the soul ("spiritually bow down...."), and the heart ("heart-felt praise....."), are engaged.
One more thing to note -- The Wise Men gave Gifts.
"On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold and of incense and of myrrh." (Matthew 2:11-12).
Look at the order of their actions. They didn't present Jesus gifts first, and then worship Him second. The scripture says they worshiped Him first, then, after their worship, they presented Him with gifts. Their example is a good model for us to follow. Service in itself is not worship, but is a result of worship.
"Worship the Lord your God and serve Him only." (Luke 4:8).
As worshipers, we are compelled to live for Him..
And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again. (2 Corinthians 5:15)
No wonder the story of the Wise Men is recorded in the Bible. What amazing role models they were!
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