Who Can Come To Worship?

 By Pr Evangel;ine Cheong

I was sent a meme that spoofed the Christmas Nativity scene, replacing those around the manger with Star Wars characters like Luke Skywalker, Obi Wan and Darth Vader, and the baby Jesus with a baby Yoda. Though part of me violently rejected Darth Vader’s presence around the manger, since he was the villain in the Star Wars series, it got me thinking of who really was around Jesus that first Christmas.

From the books of Matthew and Luke, we are told that at Jesus’ birth, there were angels (Luke 2:13-14) and shepherds (Luke 2:20). And later when Jesus was older, Magi (Matt 2:2,11) came to worship Him.

It amazes me the diversity of those who worshipped Jesus in Bethlehem. Angels: out of this world, beings that have seen God and were bestowed with great power. Shepherds: human, the hardworking guy next door working a low salary blue collared job, never home as they would be finding places for the sheep to eat. Magi: also human, wise, smart, respected men of good social standing.

Yet we also know that though King Herod was informed about the birth of the King of the Jews, he did not go to Bethlehem. Though Herod said with his lips that he would want to worship Jesus, he did not go worship the King (Matt 2:8).

Who then can come to worship God? We see that the legends, the lowly, the learned are all welcomed. It did not matter if one was heavenly or earthly. All who are willing to bow in worship are received. 

This Christmas, do you feel that God will turn you away? Do you have some people in your life that you feel are unworthy to come to God?

The motley crew of worshippers around Jesus in Bethlehem shows us that anyone who sees God’s glory and comes to worship are never turned away. Perhaps Darth Vader did belong in that scene because he came to worship.