By Wilberforce Kityo Luwalira
“Where is he who has been born King of the Jews? For we saw this star when it arose and we have come to worship Him.” Matthew 2:2
Basing on the Old Testament prophecies, Christ was to be born in Bethlehem in the land of Judah. Micah 5:2 “But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are too little to be among the clans of ‘Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel, whose coming forth is from of old, from ancient days.”
Led by the star these wise men came from the East and they diligently searched for the new born King. When they finally saw the new born King, they rejoiced, worshipped Him and opened their treasures and gave him gifts Gold, Frankincense and Myrrh. Gentiles, worshiping the King of the Jews who had come that, all may have life. Because of the festivities that surround the commemoration of the birth of Jesus many people lay emphasis on celebrations, eating, drinking, partying etc and end up losing the point of searching diligently the purpose for which Jesus Christ came!!
Instead of worshiping this Jesus and being wise men all the time, many believers are searching for men and women of God, big churches, miracles instead of Jesus the miracle worker, healing instead of the healer and deliverer.
We have challenges of believers moving from church to church, from Pastor to Pastor, Bishop to Bishop claiming that some leaders are more powerful than the others. To the extent that some church leaders are worshipped. We are talking about Jesus Christ who can answer prayers while another Jesus Christ cannot answer prayers depending on which church you go to.
We are talking about Jesus Christ who gives things live Visas, Big cars, and Houses and personalized number plates for our cars.
All the above are good things and the Jesus Christ I am talking about is more than able to provide for all our needs. But the wise men searched diligently for the new born King for the purpose of worshipping him never to worship King Herod or any other creature. The one they worshiped was to make a fundamental change in the lives of fallen humanity, both Jews and Gentiles.
Isaiah had prophesied thus, “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulders and His name shall be called; Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of peace.” Isaiah 9:6
And He himself affirmed His mission in Luke 4:16 – 18.
16 “And he came to ‘Nazareth, where he had been brought up and “as was his custom.” He went to the synagogue on the Sabbath day and he stood up “up read. 17And the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was given to him. He unrolled the scroll and found the place where it was written, 18“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to “proclaim good news to the poor.” He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed…”
He came to restore order in lawless lives, families, communities and Nations. As we commemorate the birth of Jesus Christ we are still grappling with issues of; domestic violence, human trafficking, oppression, corruption, injustice, land grabbing, orchestrated murders and thefts.
Let us pray to God to reveal to us in very clear terms what has gone amiss in our lives, families, church, communities and the Nation. So that we allow Him take over our lives as King of Kings and Lord of Lords.
When He takes over our lives will never remain the same.
Then we can worship Him in splendor of Holiness.
And pay close attention to what the next step of action is required of us.
“And being warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed to their own country by another way.” Mathew 2:12
It is my prayer that as we celebrate Christmas 2018 let us revisit the purpose of which Jesus Christ came and dwelt among us as (Immanuel – God with us) so that we can have meaningful celebrations, as our lives are touched, challenged and changed.
I wish you a Merry Christmas.
Rt. Rev. Wilberforce Kityo Luwalira
THE BISHOP OF NAMIREMBE DIOCESE
