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I'm proud that my dad served in the Marine Corp. As a result, we've seen a fair amount of military movies - from Gladiator, to Braveheart, to the Patriot, to Saving Private Ryan. One of the elements all these movies have in common is the physical honor, respect, and reverence folks in the army show to higher ranks. Depending on the movie, time period, or situation, those that are of lower rank kneel, bow, salute, etc. to show deference to their superiors.

This kind of thing happens when people see Jesus - beginning as early as the Christmas story.

When we get to Matthew 2:11, the wise men have arrived at Joseph and Mary's house after a 4-5 month journey from the east and finally see the 1-2-year-old Jesus. When they do, the text says they fell down (ESV), kneeled (MSG), bowed down (NLT) before Jesus and worshipped.

It is interesting that all through the Gospels, Acts, and Revelation - the knee jerk reaction to seeing Jesus is worship. Upon seeing Jesus,

  • The shepherds worship Jesus as an infant in Matthew 1
  • The wise men worship Jesus as a young child in Luke 2
  • Thomas worships Jesus in his earthly resurrected form in John 20
  • Paul worships Jesus in his heavenly ascended form in Acts 9
  • John worships Jesus as seen in a revelation in Revelation 1
  • Etc.

The idea here is that Jesus is seen in every stage and season of his life before and beyond the grave and each time the response of people is worship.

This is a Christmas season reminder that as much as season delivers extended time with friends, family, and away from work - it's primarily a season in which we remember to worship Jesus.

Worship Him at church.

Worship Him in the home.

Worship Him in the car.

When we see Jesus, we worship Jesus.