Worship means bowing down and giving our best to Christ.
“And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child 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 2:11 (KJV)
What does “Worship” mean in Matthew 2:11?
The Greek word for worshipped is proskuneo, which means to bow down and pay homage. The wise men fell down before the young child, and then they opened their treasures.
Going deeper
Epiphany means a revealing, and on this day the church remembers Christ being made known to people beyond Israel. The wise men reach the end of their long journey and do exactly what they came to do. They fall down and worship. Only then do they open their treasures and give their gifts. The order matters. Worship comes first, and gifts flow out of it.
Traditionally, Christians have seen meaning in the three gifts: gold as a gift fit for a king, frankincense as a fragrance used in worship, and myrrh as a spice associated with burial. Whatever meaning we attach to them, the point is the same. They gave what was valuable to them. As the Christmas season comes to a close, ask what you can offer to Christ in the new year. It may be your time, your talents, or your first and best attention each day. Come, bow down, and give Him what is yours.
Reflect
What is the first and best thing you can offer to Christ in the year ahead?
Pray
Lord Jesus, I bow before You, and I give You what I have. Receive my worship and my life in this new year. In Jesus' name, amen.
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