worship | TRICIA LATHROP

Yesterday we looked at Jesus as the Lamb of God, his primary purpose in coming to earth to pave the way for us to have access to God. Fast-forward two years. Wise men from the east enter Jerusalem and begin to inquire, “Where is he that is born King of the Jews? We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him.”

Traditionally, we envision three kings, riding on their three camels, each carrying a small box. We’ve even given them names; Balthasar, Caspar, and Melchior. But in reality, we don’t know how many magi/kings traveled to see Jesus. We don’t know how many accompanied them on their journey. We know that at least two came, and brought the gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.

Consider how royalty travels today, with a whole entourage of servants, workers, and family. I imagine the scene in Disney’s “Aladdin” where the prince came with a multitude of people accompanying him as well as piles of gifts.

These wise men came to honor a King, they would have brought the best they had, and probably lots of it. Three men with little boxes would not have upset Herod or the town of Jerusalem, but it says that Jerusalem was troubled by their appearance (Matthew 2:3).

You may think that the Magi made a mistake in going to Jerusalem first. They went to the palace of the king. Where else would one find a newborn king?

Sometimes we follow God’s direction and end up in what looks like the wrong place. It’s not always a mistake. It could be to find direction for your next step. It could be to encourage or influence another person in their walk.

In Jerusalem, the Magi learned that the King was to be born in Bethlehem, the whole city of Jerusalem heard the news that the prophesied King had been born. They also heard that one prophecy about him was fulfilled, he was born in Bethlehem.

The kings wasted no time heading to Bethlehem as soon as they knew of the clarifying prophecy. And the star reappeared, guiding them to the exact location.

When they had heard the king, they departed; and, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy.

And when they were come into the house, (not the stable), they saw the young child (not the infant) with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh.” Matthew 2:9-11

They did not go to the stable to meet the Lamb of God, they went to the house to honor the King.

Jesus came first and foremost as our Savior, we bring him our worst; our sins, our fears, our pain, our shame. He doesn’t want us to get our act together first and then come to him. He wants us to come as we are with all our garbage and let him take care of the worst we have to offer.

But we also come to him as our King. And as our King, we bring him our very best. we bring our gold: our gifts, talents and abilities. We bring our frankincense; our worship, praise and adoration. We bring our myrrh: our obedience and self-denial.

The day will come when all the world will see him as the Lord of Lords and the King of Kings. On that day, every knee will bow before him and give him the honor due to Him.

And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Philippians 2:8–11.

Day 46 of 49

One of my favorite celebrations combines a children’s choir with the adult choir, joining together to sing a song of praise to the Lord while the children walk around the sanctuary waving palm branches. Hosannas ring throughout the congregation.

I used to think that hosanna meant praise the Lord, but it means, save us, we beseech you. Instead of a song of praise, it is a plea for deliverance.

And when he had said these things, he went on ahead, going up to Jerusalem.

29 When he drew near to Bethphage and Bethany, at the mount that is called Olivet, he sent two of the disciples,

30 saying, “Go into the village in front of you, where on entering you will find a colt tied, on which no one has ever yet sat. Untie it and bring it here.

31 If anyone asks you, ‘Why are you untying it?’ you shall say this: ‘The Lord has need of it.’ ”

32 So those who were sent went away and found it just as he had told them.

33 And as they were untying the colt, its owners said to them, “Why are you untying the colt?”

34 And they said, “The Lord has need of it.”

35 And they brought it to Jesus, and throwing their cloaks on the colt, they set Jesus on it.

36 And as he rode along, they spread their cloaks on the road.

37 As he was drawing near—already on the way down the Mount of Olives—the whole multitude of his disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works that they had seen,

38 saying, “Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!”

39 And some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to him, “Teacher, rebuke your disciples.”

40 He answered, “I tell you, if these were silent, the very stones would cry out.”

Lk 19:28–40.

Jesus joined a group of Galileans traveling to Jerusalem to celebrate the Passover. For the former three years, Jesus had walked among them, teaching about the Kingdom of God and performing many miracles. He showed the people the love and care of the Lord.

On this journey, the people often sang the Psalms, in particular those called the Psalms of Ascent (Ps 120-134).

Come, bless the LORD, all you servants of the LORD, who stand by night in the house of the LORD! Lift up your hands to the holy place and bless the LORD! May the LORD bless you from Zion, he who made heaven and earth!

Ps 134

I imagine the people traveling to Judea traveled with an expectation of good times with family and friends. The songs focused on the Lord and what he had done in the past, and what they could hope for in the future. They sang, unified in voice and in purpose. The excitement would have increased as they approached Jerusalem.

They knew Jesus traveled with them.

In first century Judea, the expectation for the Messiah ran high, especially at Passover. Palm branches had become a symbol of the Zionist movement, who wanted to remove Rome from Judea in any way possible, even riot and rebellion.

So a multitude of people are traveling to Jerusalem, unified in singing the Psalms of Ascent and praise to the Lord. I’m sure that Jesus and his disciples joined in the songs. When they got close to Jerusalem, Jesus sends two of his disciples for a donkey which he sits upon. The disciples begin to sing, “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord”. Coats are laid before the donkey as it walks, palm branches are picked up along the way and the excitement and expectation moves to a higher level as the people focus upon Jesus as the long awaited Messiah who would deliver them.

Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout aloud, O daughter of Jerusalem!

Behold, your king is coming to you; righteous and having salvation is he, humble and mounted on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.

Zec 9:9.

As the city prepares for an influx of pilgrims, here comes Jesus, sitting on a donkey and all the people are dancing and singing in celebration around him. Jesus ministry in Judea had been clouded with confrontations of the Jewish leadership. They did not like what they saw.

The Jewish leadership weren’t so much concerned that Jesus might be the Messiah, they didn’t want the status quo with Rome to change. They were comfortable with the way things were, they had some power and didn’t want to lose that standing if an uprising happened in Judea.

People wonder how the crowd could have turned so quickly on Jesus to demand his crucifixion later in the week. The crowd that traveled with him to Jerusalem had witnessed his words and his actions for three years. Many believed he was the promised one. They would not have dealt with the politics of Jerusalem.

The group in Jerusalem, who confronted Jesus, stood in the courtyard of Pontius Pilate and demanded his crucifixion.

Some of the Pharisees told him to tell the people to stop proclaiming that he was the one to come. Jesus told them that If they stop, the rocks would cry out.

Writing this, I’m reminded of a night long ago, when as a preteen, I felt compelled to worship the Lord while lying in my bed. It was the first time I sang with a heart full of joy and love for the Lord.

The people on the way to Jerusalem were united in purpose, to go to the house of the Lord and worship him there. They sang together, songs of prayer, worship and praise. They became part of a worship service that was beyond compare, much like what we will experience when we see Jesus face to face.

Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing!” And I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea, and all that is in them, saying, “To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be blessing and honor and glory and might forever and ever!” And the four living creatures said, “Amen!” and the elders fell down and worshiped.

Revelation 5:12–14

Lord, you alone are worthy of all honor, glory and praise. Remind me to take time each day to worship you.

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