Matt. 2:1-11
1 Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came the magi from the east to Jerusalem, 2 Saying, 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.
The Magi, to put it simply, where groups of 12 who studied the stars and technology of the day. They came mainly from the east. They where some of the most knowledgeable people of their time.
We read here how the magi (NASA scientists of their day) came far from the east because of a star they had seen. This must have been some star for learned folks to travel all the way from the east, which took them 2 years at most to finally see the star rest on a house in a small town. The purpose of seeking this king was to worship Him. Now, wait a minute, scientists and worship shouldn't mix together you'll think. God doesn't have a problem with the scientific world. They only confirm God's greatness like the Magi did.
3 When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him.
You'll think that when someone whose birth is written in the Torah several times is fulfilled, that all Jerusalem will be happy and joyful, but it was rather the opposite. Have you ever called someone to tell them something great that happened to you and they give you a cold response? Folks who cannot be happy for you. You can imagine the wise men entering into Jerusalem thinking everyone was going to be happy about a saviour been born to fight their cause but the bible says, they were all sad. wow!!!
4 And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he demanded of them where Christ should be born. 5 And they said unto him, In Bethlehem of Judaea: for thus it is written by the prophet, 6 And thou Bethlehem, in the land of Juda, art not the least among the princes of Juda: for out of thee shall come a Governor, that shall rule my people Israel.
On top of all the evidence of God's birth, the chief priests and scribes also confirmed it and even quoted Micah 5:2 from the Torah to confirm the birth took place in Bethlehem of Judea.
7 Then Herod, when he had privily called the wise men, enquired of them diligently what time the star appeared.
Herod now feels threatened and starts a clandestine operation, James Bond like, to eliminate the threat.
8 And 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.
From this text, you realize that this king the wise men were talking about was no ordinary king but one who deserves worship, so he plots an assassination with a guise of also going to worship this special and unique king.
9 When they had heard the king, they departed; and, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was.
Hear, I see God been the orchestrator of the wise men going into the Herod's palace. Because God wanted Herod to know that the real king is born. Right after they leave his palace the star appears again.
They followed the star again until it stood over where the young child was, says the bible
10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy.
Just imagine respected scientists jumping and screaming with joy like their favourite football team just scored a goal. When we think of scientists, we imagine stern faces and difficult formulas. Not folks that express their emotions much.
11 And when they were come into the house, they 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.
Contrary to the 3 wise men plays in our churches, Jesus wasn't a baby anymore. He was a young child. Babies don't walk. They become children when they take their first steps. So according to the age group Herod's assassins where required to kill, Jesus will have been around 2 years old by then.
In our church plays also, one mistake is that we call the Magi, 3 wise men because they gave 3 different gifts, but the bible doesn't say they were 3. Matthew assumed the reader will know who the Magi is and didn't state their number. But we know today that the Magi where mostly a group of 12 people.
But imagine it took them 2 years seeking God.
Purpose Of Seeking God
Matthew 6:33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
Seeking is searching until you find. But after you find what you are looking for then what next?
According to the biblical account of these wise magi, when they saw Jesus they;
1. Rejoiced (Praise)
2. Worshiped
3. Gave
Rejoice
Instead of complaining about the wear and tear of their travels looking for a star, they rather rejoiced. I think if it was me, when the star disappeared, i would've returned home, but these wise men kept seeking. They were so convinced of this king that they went to ask another king of His where about. So after all the hustle and dangers of travelling in the 1st century, they rejoiced when the star rested on a particular child in a particular house. Their praise was recorded because their challenges to find the king made it a sacrifice of praise. So will you complain or praise. There's time for everything says the Bible. Can you replace your complaining with praise? It takes the same energy so choose wisely.
Philippians 4:4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!
Worship
The purpose of seeking God first is to worship Him. So we see the Magis, who might not be religious or even believe in Yahweh, kneel before a child and worship Him, because a star told them so. I have always wondered if some of we Christians will worship Jesus if we saw Him in his human form back then. Because of the way that we have made Christ to be in our times (Mr Nice Guy). God deserves our worship and even scientists from the East realised that. God lives in you, so will you worship Him today?
Psalm 100:2 Worship the Lord with gladness, come before him with joyful songs.
Give
It amazes me that they gave gifts, because I will believe they didn't anticipate that their journey will take them a whole 2 years. But because the star disappeared in the middle of the trip, they would have spent more money and resources than they had budgeted. Inspite of all this, they gave gifts to God that was so worthy. Gold has the power to raise a few eyebrows. Imagine someone putting gold in the offering bowl, you'll never forget that day right? God will stretch you in your giving. Be it your time, resources or talents but especially your resources. The bible is fond of people who gave out of their need.
Godly Humility
A star represents Christ, following a star represents humility. A hymn written by Arthur S. Sullivan says it best;
Courage, brother, do not stumble,
Though thy path be dark as night;There’s a star to guide the humble:
Trust in God and do the right.
Let the road be rough and dreary,
And its end far out of sight,
Foot it bravely; strong or weary,
And its end far out of sight,
Foot it bravely; strong or weary,
Refrain
Trust in God, trust in God,
Trust in God and do the right.
Trust in God and do the right.
It takes humility and attention to detail to spot a particular star.
Godly humility is following Christ. That is denying yourself, carrying your cross and following Him. Matthew 16:24
The Magi following a star is like you following Christ. A star in the sky can be a hit and miss sometimes. And people observing will think you are crazy for leaving family, friends and going on a seeking (christian) journey following a star, they'll say; a star!!!! I guess atheists will never understand.
And when the star seems to disappear, we don't all pack our bags and go home. But we keep seeking and pressing on. Its because faith in God is not through our sight. 2 Cor. 5:7
When the star reappears they didn't doubt if they should follow it. This point is for those who loose their faith and are in a restoration process. As Christ (star) reappears in your life again, believe in Him and cling to Him.
John 15:7 If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will[a] ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you.
As the lead pastor of God Center International Church in Ijburg Amsterdam in The Netherlands, I always recommend a daily reading diet for people who are been restored in Christ. Because Jesus said "if my word abides in you".
When the star rests, they rejoice. Sometimes folks wonder why all the fanfare about Christianity (star). But we know how far God has brought us, and how we had to trust Him in the storm and the rain. We rejoice because God is a covenant keeping God who will always bring us to our destination.
I pray that your faith is strengthened in Christ Jesus who was born and also died to bring us so close to Himself.
Remember there is a star (Jesus) to guide the humble so trust in Him.
People (Herod) will fail you but Jesus (star) will never fail you. When it seems like the star has disappeared, He appears again to light your path.
So stay strong in Christ.
And please keep me and God Center International Church in your prayers.
I preached this message at church on the 22 December 2013.
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