A Pilgrimage of Worship
There are so many possible responses when we are confronted with the reality of Jesus Christ. Since he walked on the dust he created, people have either been drawn to him or repelled by him. In the first of four accounts of his birth Matthew makes a point of talking about the scholars who travelled from the east to find the new King. Matthew doesn’t really tell us much about this band of scholars, other than they were scholars and they were from the east…at place known for mystical and strange philosophies.
I love what these eastern academics say was the purpose of their pilgrimage. Even though their very occupation would suggest that the reason they headed west was to study the reason for the strangely bright star, they state that their mission was to worship him. For those who make their living out of thinking, the reason for this trip was to worship. They didn’t come to understand, but to worship. The Message states it this way, “We’re on a pilgrimage to worship him.”
What a great statement of life’s mission. We are on a pilgrimage to worship him. The reality of Jesus has been studied long before and long after he was here. People still try to understand who he was, examine that words he spoke, ponder if he was more than a wise man or religious figure. He has been studied, examined, and scrutinized. His words have been parsed, interpreted, contextualized, and applied. However, he was really meant to be worshiped. This life is meant to be a pilgrimage of worship.
With our songs, prayers, art, time and treasure we are on a pilgrimage to worship him. With our actions and lifestyle we are a pilgrimage to worship him. Whether we dig ditches, drive a taxi, or pour concrete we are a pilgrimage to worship him. Whether we manage people, teach university students or perform brain surgery, we are on a pilgrimage to worship him. Waking up each day on this pilgrimage brings purpose to everything we put our hands and hearts to.