The Wise Men: Worship That Costs Something

What Their Journey Reveals About Ours

We love the Christmas story, but sometimes we sanitize it. We smooth out the rough edges until the whole thing feels soft, familiar, and comfortable. But nothing about the Wise Men’s journey was convenient. Nothing about their worship was casual. They didn’t drop by Bethlehem because they happened to be in the neighborhood. They traveled because conviction moved them. They worshiped because surrender led them. They gave because sacrifice was the only fitting response to a King.

And if we’re honest, that is exactly where modern Christianity stumbles. We prefer worship that fits neatly into our schedule. We prefer devotion that doesn’t cost anything. We want to honor Jesus without being inconvenienced by Him.

Three ornate treasure chests partially opened, glowing with soft golden light against a dark velvet backdrop. — Jesus deserves more than our leftovers—He deserves our very best.

The Cost of the Journey

Matthew tells us:

“Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the reign of King Herod. About that time some wise men from eastern lands arrived in Jerusalem, asking, ‘Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We saw his star as it rose, and we have come to worship him.’”

Matthew 2:1–2 (NLT)

The Wise Men traveled hundreds—possibly over a thousand—miles. No highways. No climate-controlled vehicles. No GPS. Their journey was long, dangerous, expensive, and exhausting. But they came anyway. Why? Because the One who had been born was worth every mile.

Many of us will not cross the living room if something more appealing competes with worship. A child’s travel ball game. A football kickoff. The first day of hunting season. A late night the evening before. A slight inconvenience on a Sunday morning. We treat the King casually, then wonder why our spiritual lives feel empty.

If something consistently pushes church aside, it is no longer a schedule conflict—it is a priority statement. The Wise Men didn’t treat worship as optional. They rearranged everything to place Jesus at the center. That’s what costly worship does.

A bright Sunday calendar page covered by sports balls, hunting gear, and colorful shopping bags, symbolizing distractions from worship. — What we skip worship for often reveals what has first place in our hearts.

The Cost of Surrender

Matthew continues:

“They entered the house and saw the child with his mother, Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him.”

Matthew 2:11a (NLT)

Think about this scene. Scholars, diplomats, men of influence—bowing before a toddler. They didn’t wait until He performed miracles or preached sermons or gained followers. They worshiped Him long before the world recognized Him.

True worship demands humility. It calls us to bow our preferences, our pride, and our comfort before a King who deserves nothing less. Many believers are comfortable giving Jesus their beliefs, but not their habits. They’ll honor Him privately but refuse to prioritize Him publicly. They’ll sing about surrender but cling tightly to control.

The Wise Men surrendered long before surrender was fashionable.

A split-image showing a comfortable couch on one side and a Bible with a church silhouette on the other, highlighting the contrast between comfort and devotion. — Comfort is easy, but devotion is what leads us closer to Christ.

The Cost of the Gift

Matthew records:

“Then they opened their treasure chests and gave him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.”

Matthew 2:11b (NLT)

These gifts were not symbolic trinkets. They were costly, rare, extravagant. Gold fit for royalty. Frankincense used in worship. Myrrh associated with sacrifice and burial. Their gifts weren’t convenient; they were consequential.

But today, worship is often treated casually. We give Jesus what is easy, not what is costly. We bring leftovers—not treasure. We give Him the margins of our time, not the center. We will invest deeply in hobbies, entertainment, sports, travel, and comfort… but hesitate when it comes to giving God our best.

Worship that costs us nothing is worship that changes nothing.

Hands holding a small wrapped gift labeled “My Life,” symbolizing offering oneself fully to God. — The greatest gift you can give God is the one only you can offer—your life.

The Cost of Obedience

Matthew finishes the account:

“When it was time to leave, they returned to their own country by another route, for God had warned them in a dream not to return to Herod.”

Matthew 2:12 (NLT)

Their encounter with Jesus changed their direction—literally. They obeyed immediately, without hesitation or negotiation. Meeting Jesus always demands movement. Always requires obedience. Always redirects our steps.

Too many believers want worship without obedience. Inspiration without transformation. Emotion without submission. But the Wise Men walked away changed. And change is the unmistakable mark of worship that costs something.

A stack of gold coins on a wooden table with a softly blurred cross glowing in the background. — Nothing you surrender for Jesus will ever outweigh the worth of knowing Him.

When Worship Becomes Worth It

Yes, worship is costly. Yes, it disrupts comfort. Yes, it challenges priorities. But ask the Wise Men if they regretted a single mile. Ask them if the journey was worth it. Ask them if bowing before the King of Kings was a waste.

Worship costs—but what it gives back is immeasurable. When you lay down your excuses, He gives you purpose. When you offer your time, He gives you peace. When you surrender your priorities, He reshapes your life. When you give Him your best, He fills your heart with more than you ever had to begin with.

God withheld nothing when He sent His Son. The question for us this Christmas is simple:

Are we willing to worship Him the same way?

A split table showing neatly wrapped gifts on one side and crumpled discarded wrapping paper on the other, symbolizing giving God our best versus leftovers. — God isn’t honored by what costs us nothing—He deserves the best we have.

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