What do you think of when you hear someone paying tribute? What does it mean to give homage to someone? Do you believe it is respecting and honoring the person verbally? Do you believe it is presenting the person with gifts? Could it be both?
It is awards season, which means there will be several awards shows on our televisions. We may not watch them all, but there is a good chance we will watch at least one of them. The premise of all of them is the same—giving performers a trophy for being the best in a category.
In those awards shows, there may be a special tribute to someone for a unique achievement or a lifetime achievement. Those people receive special trophy and typically have multiple people speak about their accomplishments. Those awards mean a lot, but the presentation is usually done in about two to three minutes. Imagine, a lifetime of work wrapped up in such a short time.
It was different for Jesus. When He was born, there was a celebration at multiple locations. First, Mary and Joseph celebrated His birth. Having heard the stories of many mothers, I’m sure Mary was relieved, tired, and joyous all at the same time.
Next, the shepherds in the field were shocked at the appearance of angels, overjoyed, and so excited they had to go tell everyone they saw about what they had heard and seen.
Finally, the wise men from three different places of origin came to pay tribute to Him. Their places of origin are modern day Spain, Yemen, and Sudan/Eritrea respectively. We don’t know if they knew one another beforehand or happened to travel and arrive at the same time. We do know they came out of respect and to honor God’s anointed Son. Though we do not know exactly when they arrived, we do know it was within the first couple years of His birth and likely within a couple months.
All of this took place for an infant who had not begun God’s ministry yet. The homage they gave was for what He would do. If they paid homage for what was to come, how much more should we honor Him for what we know He did? We can learn a lesson from the angels, shepherds, and wise men. We are to honor Him as the Son of God, the fulfillment of God’s promise.
I pray we all follow the example of the angels, shepherds, and wise men. I pray we honor Jesus for who He is and what He has done. I pray each one of us are in awe of who Jesus is—the Son of God and our Savior. See Jesus for who He is. Honor Him. Pay homage to Him. Be in awe of Him.
Psalm 72:10
May the kings of Tarshish and of the isles
render him tribute,
may the kings of Sheba and Seba
bring gifts.
Marty Pressey 