The Bookends of Life

"Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we saw His star in the east and have come to worship Him." - Matthew 2:2 (NASB)

Simple observation. Simple application. Simple question.

First, the observation. Matthew chapter 2 is the story of the birth of Jesus. In this story "magi" come from the east traveling westward toward Judah to discover a new king that has been born. Magi were a caste of wise men specializing in astronomy, astrology, and natural science. These men were Gentile star gazers who had been staring up at the sky and had predicted a forthcoming king, the Messiah, the King of the Jews. This story is familiar to many but what struck me was the simple phrase "King of the Jews".

I had been studying Mark 15 at the time. In Mark 15:26 Jesus is crucified with an inscription written above His head. Do you remember what it said? "The King of the Jews." Thus, Jesus life was marked by this unique identity. This simple phrase represented a bookend to both the beginning and end of His life, His birth and His death, His entire life.

Second, the application. Jesus remained true to His purpose in life. The question is, "Have we?" When we were born we were created with a purpose in mind. We were designed for a specific reason. Conception occurs first within the mind of God (Jer 1:5). Therefore, at the beginning of our lives a bookend was placed. It represented a beginning that for our lives and was conceived first in the mind of God. When we die, our lives will also conclude with a final bookend. Thus, we will have to ask ourselves "Did my life fulfill its original purpose?". Did I achieve what God had planned for me? Did I fulfill my purpose and come into a relationship with Jesus? Did I make Him Lord? Did I serve Him as I should have? Or did I turn from Him never to return?

Third, the question. Fortunately, our lives are not over. Therefore, we have a simple question to answer: "How will your life be book-ended?" As a life of tragedy and a lifetime spent away from God? Or will you fulfill God's plan for your life and accept Jesus as Lord?

An ancient Indian proverb once said, "When you were born, you cried and the world rejoiced. Live your life in such a way that when you die the world cries and you rejoice."

Live your life for Jesus and bookend your life with Him.