Nothing Got in Their Way

We read in Matthew chapter two an all too familiar story of some wise men on their journey. As I reread this chapter I noticed something that I had not seen before and I would like to share with you.

These wise men, after their long journey finally arrived in Jerusalem only to find the atmosphere of that city not one of glad expectation of their coming Messiah and King. They were astonished that the very people who's King they had come to worship were not only unaware of His arrival, but had a spirit of apathy and fear when they asked Matthew 2:2
Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him. What should have been the hope of Israel became an annoyance. I want you to get the picture; here these wise men have entered into Jerusalem to what should have been a city bubbling with excitement but instead it was a city of trouble and complacency. Matthew 2:3
When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him.
Matthew 2:4 And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he demanded of them where Christ should be born.

Matthew 2:5 And they said unto him, In Bethlehem of Judaea: for thus it is written by the prophet,

Matthew 2:6
And thou Bethlehem, in the land of Juda, art not the least among the princes of Juda: for out of thee shall come a Governor, that shall rule my people Israel. What do you think should have happened after hearing the prophecy quoted? I would have thought that somebody would have wanted to go to Bethlehem, but no where do we read of anyone accompanying the wise men to Bethlehem, or joining with them in their worship. Even though no one asked to go with them, these wise men had their minds set on their mission of finding and worshipping Christ; they were determined and nothing was going to hinder them. Are we that determined? You and I can rest assured that the enemy will do his best to hinder us from Worship. We must watch out for Self-esteem and Self-indulgence for they will erect barriers that will hinder us from entering into the state of Worship. The wise men continued on Matthew 2:9
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.

Matthew 2:10
When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy.

Matthew 2:11
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. It was when they saw the Lord Jesus that they fell down in adoration before Him. It was when they saw Him that they presented unto Him their treasures. We will invest our treasures in that which we strongly believe in. When I looked up the word worship in the Bible here is what I learned! Genesis 22:5 And Abraham said unto his young men, Abide ye here with the ass; and I and the lad will go yonder and worship, and come again to you.

#1- Abraham was willing to Sacrifice his TREASURE
Genesis 22:2
And he said, Take now thy son, thine only son Isaac, whom thou lovest, and get thee into the land of Moriah; and offer him there for a burnt offering upon one of the mountains which I will tell thee of.

#2- Abraham was willing to SEPARATE
himself
Genesis 22:3
And Abraham rose up early in the morning, and saddled his ass, and took two of his young men with him, and Isaac his son, and clave the wood for the burnt offering, and rose up, and went unto the place of which God had told him.

#3- Abraham was showed DETERMINED
Genesis 22:4
Then on the third day Abraham lifted up his eyes, and saw the place afar off.

Genesis 22:5 And Abraham said unto his young men, Abide ye here with the ass; and I and the lad will go yonder and worship, and come again to you.

#4- Abraham showed CONCENTRATION in that he stayed focused
Genesis 22:6
And Abraham took the wood of the burnt offering, and laid it upon Isaac his son; and he took the fire in his hand, and a knife; and they went both of them together.

Genesis 22:9
And they came to the place which God had told him of; and Abraham built an altar there, and laid the wood in order, and bound Isaac his son, and laid him on the altar upon the wood.

Genesis 22:10
And Abraham stretched forth his hand, and took the knife to slay his son.

Abraham let nothing get in his way of Worship.