Do We Really Care About Jesus?

In Matthew’s account of the events surrounding the infancy of Christ, there is an interesting contrast between two groups of people concerning their true concern for King Jesus. We must learn from this comparison that our true care for Jesus is reflected by more than just the words of our mouth.

The Wise Men Really Cared

Matthew records, “Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, 2Saying, 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” (Mt. 2:1-2). “Wise men” is translated from the Greek word magos, the same word from which we get “magi.” The fact that they had to ask where Jesus would be born indicates that they were Gentiles, and their being “from the east” probably indicates they were from Arabia, which means they traveled a great distance. How do we know that they really cared about Jesus? Their actions! When they followed the star (Mt. 2:2, 9), they found and “saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh” (Mt. 2:11). They truly recognized Jesus as the divine King and responded accordingly.

Herod Did Not Really Care

When “Herod the king” heard the wise men ask about the one who was born “King of the Jews” (Mt. 2:2), he felt threatened. Herod was, in essence, a hireling. He was appointed by Rome to rule in the Jerusalem area and, along with his subjects, would be bothered by any hint of a rival king, especially one from the lineage of David, who once rightfully ruled in Jerusalem (cf. Mt. 2:3). Herod was not familiar with the Scriptures; thus, like the wise men, he had to ask “where Christ should be born,” to which he was answered, as was written by the prophet Micah, “Bethlehem, in the land of Judea” (Mt. 2:4-6 cf. Mic. 5:2). After inquiring further from the wise men concerning the time the star appeared, “he sent them to Bethlehem, and said, Go and search diligently for the young child; and when ye have found him, bring me word again, that I may come and worship him also” (Mt. 2:8). Like the wise men, Herod says he wants to “worship” Jesus. How do we know that Herod really did not care about Jesus? His actions! The wise men were warned not to return to Herod, and an “angel of the Lord” told Joseph to take “the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt” because “Herod will seek the young child to destroy him” (Mt. 2:13). Later, Herod, in his attempt to kill Jesus, “sent forth, and slew all the children that were in Bethlehem, and in all the coasts thereof, from two years old and under, according to the time which he...enquired of the wise men” (Mt. 2:18). Though Herod claimed he wanted to worship Jesus, he did not act accordingly.

Do We Really Care?

Going by what they said, both the wise men and Herod seemed to really care about Jesus—they both wanted to worship Him! However, their actions proved the truth. Do we really care about Jesus?

Does our LOVE show we really care about Jesus? Jesus said that we should “love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind” (Mt. 22:37). Do our actions show that we truly love God? If our love for God is more than just words, we will gladly do what He says (Jn. 14:15, 23; 1 Jn. 5:2-3).

Does our LOYALTY show we really care about Jesus? Love and loyalty go hand in hand. When we truly love Jesus, our loyalty will be with Jesus. The Lord once said, “No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon” (Mt. 6:24). Do our actions show loyalty to Christ or to the world (cf. 1 Jn. 2:15-17)?

Does our LIFE show we really care about Jesus? Truly loving Jesus and being loyal to Him results in a life totally given to Him. Paul urged the Romans, “by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service” (Rom. 12:1). This is continued by being “transformed by the renewing of your mind” and practicing the “good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God” (Rom. 12:2). Does our love, loyalty, and life reveal that we really do care about Jesus?