February 10

The Epiphany

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. S. Matthew 2:2.

THESE "wise men from the east," the first-fruits unto God from the Gentiles, are intended to be patterns to us. In thoughtfulness of what God has called our attention to. Had they stupidly gazed on the star without reflecting on the purpose of its appearance, what would they have been the better for God's sending it? and how shall we be the better for having been baptized, and otherwise called to a knowledge of Christ, unless we reflect on the meaning of our baptism, and the real purposes of our Saviour's coming? In the promptness in which they acted on their convictions. In their joy and thankfulness on finding the Saviour. The character of God's true servants is, that "having not seen their Saviour, they love Him; believing in Him, though they see Him not, they rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory." We should imitate them in the fervour of their adoration. They offer unto Him of their best and own Him also in all His offices. Gold was offered to acknowledge Him as King; frankincense, as God; myrrh to intimate that, though God and King, He was to die. Let us then present ourselves, our souls and bodies, to be a reasonable, holy, and lively sacrifice unto Him! adoring Him as God, obeying Him as King, and trusting for acceptance only to the merits of His precious death as the propitiation for our sins. His grace must prevent us; but we must follow whithersoever it may lead, diligently endeavouring to work the work of God.

They give their best; O tenfold shame

On us, their fallen progeny,

Who sacrifice the blind and lame,

Who will not wake or fast with Thee!