Kings Worshiping a Baby?

Christmas: The Kings Unconventional Honoring of a Superior 

by Kelly Durant 12-2-12

Matthew 2:9-11  All of us are people surrounded by individuals who are creatures of habit. It is evident that no nation, race, or people will never drastically change past traditions, most are here to stay. As Christians we will always celebrate Jesus Christ’s birth while the people of the world will emphasize celebrating materialism. Consumerism has morphed itself into a magical man who gives out endless gifts. Santa Claus is only famous because he is used as a tool to fill the greed of many.  

It is true that some Christians do not find that Santa Claus so offensive depending on the context and status in which you respect him. He is just a fantasy and many children know that by age 3. The actual historical basis of the story of St. Nicolas giving out gifts to the poor children is a wonderful example of how we all should be!

All of us in Miami, and multi-millions, do gift giving as a tradition! Giving and sharing gifts with one another is rewarding, and especially giving to those in hard times; no one doubts that God blesses those who help the needy!

3. Just on a personal note, what if we really did abide by the list of who is naughty and who is nice in order to qualify who will get a gift and who will not? I think commerce would come to screeching halt if we did! Today some children are terrible and no one, not parents nor teachers are correcting them appropriately. Only when these ego inflated bullies grow up and end up in jail for disrespecting the wrong person and the law do they start to see the light (if they ever do!).

I wish we could grade adults on how naughty or nice they were as well. Some of you I have observed (but what I observe does not matter really, it is God that sees everything!) have been very good at loving, helping, and of humbling serving and caring for those in need.

However, we all also have seen others that when they get their pride just a bit little offended start saying all kinds of rude things. Like when you scratch a veneer surface, the cheap wood underneath shows through!

But let’s understand our tradition better: God was the first gift giver! He gave Jesus Christ to the world to be the savior so everyone would repent and radically change and by becoming as he was, humble, loving, and serving, granting the heavenly gift of eternal life. Our job is to preach the gospel and thereby share the gift of eternal life to everyone we meet.

Let’s now jump to the part of the story about the other ones that gave material gifts to Jesus. These are kings honoring Jesus as the King of Kings. There usually are the 3 kings in the manger scenes, but the 3 are the ones giving gifts. We conclude there were at least 3 but there actually could have been more.

I find it fascinating that they were kings in their lands, yet they came to recognize the authority of a baby who would grow up to be a king. Think how much faith, humility, and supernatural confidence this requires.

Also, consider that if they saw the star stop over the manager, why didn’t other people see it and come as well? Were others just not in tune with the heavenly bodies in space? Or were these men special in their spiritual ability to perceive?

Here is a real Christmas mystery: How did these KINGS from very different cultures and lands very distant from each other all interpret the same reading of the stars and prophesies of their ancient writings or religions that a KING would be found under the newly appearing strange bright star?

Kings, as we know from history, never bow to anyone. Everyone in their lands are expected to bow to them and give them gifts and taxes; never was it heard of that the kings give gifts and that they would bow to another authority, especially kneeling in front of a baby. They not only kneeled, they worshipped Him! That is honor!

Showing respect and honor will always imply sharing something of value to prove honor. All religions ask for something; some 10%, or you can give 100%, it all depends on how much you will give up for God! God is fair and blesses back.

What I hate about governments is they ask for a usual 30% and if you’re rich they want up to 90%! (in Europe) Why do you think the English keep moving to the U.S.? They are escaping the heavy burden of taxes. The burden gets heavier day by day!

Have you ever wondered how each king knew how many provisions they needed to travel 3, or 6 months to a year to reach him to give Jesus a gift? Many people here will give to the Lord a few days of their time, but would you do what they did and spend a big part of your fortune on a trip that would mean camping in extreme heat and extreme cold, crossing deserts, facing thieves, and hiring a crew to help you care for your camels and equipment? The honor of these kings required great sacrifice!

We know the kings came from the Orient, but from where precisely is still undefined by historians. Many agreed that amongst these kings were one or more of the Zoroastrian kings, which were in power in Persia at the time of Jesus’ birth.

The King Vishtapa was Ciro's father, and he had been convinced of the existence of a 3^rd and final savior that would come in the world who would battle in the end of the world and defeat evil. Zoroaster said that a great savior would arise in the world, and his name would be Soasyant, which means one who will fulfill righteousness and this goes with same description of Christ in the bible.

Contained within the writings and prophesies of these kings were the word that a savior would be born of virgin and he live and then be killed but on the third day he would be resurrected. All of this knowledge the wise kings would have shared and known.

Notice as well in Matthew Chapter 2 that king Herod asked the Jews, what the prophecy said and where would the king be born and they replied in Bethlehem. The Jews had the book of Isaiah and all ancient prophecies that co-incited to confirm the birth of the righteous Messiah, the Christ, or baby Jesus.

These were legendary tales and they confirm that Jesus was the messiah, not just for the Jews, but for everyone in the orient and for the rest of the world! What makes me angry is how the people of the world reject truth!

These kings obviously returned home to honor Jesus by telling everyone about Him. They told of all their adventures, of escaping getting killed by Herod over his jealousy, and of finding Jesus below the star but how long did people believe? Ten years? 20 years?

The news of baby Jesus fulfilling ancient prophecies did not last very long because a few hundred years later the religion of Islam was crafted in the orient and new laws were imposed. Islam spread not by gaining the awe of people as the fulfillment of prophecy, but by fear! Those who did not bow to Alla had their heads cut off. Just the other day a 15 year old girl was murdered by her own family because she did not comply with their cruel laws. Did you hear about that one?

So from today’s study we conclude that honor to our Lord and savior Jesus Christ must be done in a similar manner as it was done by the kings.  How was that honor shown?

By sacrifice: they traveled far, and they gave gifts to prove their honor.

By worship: they kneeled in front of Jesus and recognized his divine authority.

By being in tune with the divine: they acted upon seeing the star as a supernatural sign which confirmed that the king they had expected in ancient writings would appear and they honored him as the righteous savior of the world.

If kings honored Jesus, how much more we should honor him! None of us here today are a king or a queen. One day when we join the heavenly host, for sure God will compare who honored Jesus the most. Heavenly rewards will be for those who honor Him now.