"Faith is simply following, following its object. Faith is going a way which is marked out and prepared."
- Karl Barth
If faith can be defined this way, isn't faith exactly what the magi and shepherds were demonstrating when they traveled to see the baby?
The star and the desire to worship the newborn king of the Jews were the only motivating factors for the wise men. The throng of angels and their heavenly song prompted the shepherds.
In other words, these two groups of people were not drawn to Jesus because of their faith. They exercised faith because they were drawn to Jesus. Their worship of Jesus was completely outside the realm of tradition or religion. They knew nothing of the reason for the season, or the Christ of Christmas.
The only appropriate response was to go and see what it was that had been announced. The way had been prepared. But that's all they knew. They were filled with awe, wonder and probably confusion. There was no sense whatsoever that they knew what was going on.
Yet they went to worship and adore him.
What a refreshing thought among all the expectations the holiday season brings.
May our worship of the Lord be unhindered this year. Merry Christmas!
No comments:
Post a Comment