18 December 2019

In Matt 2:1, the wise kings saw a new star. This light inspired them with hope to seek after it, to follow it until they had found the Messiah, for they knew the Jewish Prophecy.

“Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the East and have come to worship Him.”

With their questioning minds and the urging of the Spirit of God, the sight of the star sparked within them a desire to spur them to pack up and travel far. They followed the star, the light that shone out of the darkness.

What light inspires you with hope with a compulsion to go and seek out that Light of the World?

The Magi came prepared to worship. They worshipped by kneeling with their gifts that they had brought with them. They already had prepared their hearts to give. Their bodies, minds and hearts were already in a posture to worship.

We see the stars better at night. They are still there during the day but not as visible to the human eye. But when night time comes they shine brightly.

Imagine these wise, wealthy men who have studied the stars seeing one being ‘born’. They knew the significance of this Light. They knew it was a sign that the Messiah, who was to save the world, was born.

They must have been ecstatic with joy and hope. Can you imagine the discussion between the three of them?

That’s what Jesus brings. Seen right from the start – HOPEFULNESS. JOY. PEACE (As declared by the Angels). LIGHT.

God’s light always shines in the darkness even in the daytime, if we have eyes to ‘see.’

If our hearts feel hopeless, then come to the Light of Hope. If we feel lonely, grieving, disappointed, anxious or fearful, look to Him who can bring Hope and Light to all circumstances and to all hearts, Hope.

“They that hope in the Lord shall renew their strength,” Isaiah 40:31.

When the star stopped over the place where the child was, the Magi “rejoiced exceedingly with great joy.” (vs 10)

Do you think they were trying to describe to us just how much joy was in their hearts, in the place where Jesus was, with these 3 adjectives? REJOICED, EXCEEDINGLY, GREAT! Were they trying to share the joy that was bursting within them, that could not be contained? Oh, to be there. WOW.

“And after entering the house, they saw the child with Mary, His mother and they fell down and worshipped Him. Then after opening their treasure chests, they presented to Him presents fit for a King, gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.”

Do you notice before the wise kings give their gifts to Jesus, they bring themselves, kneeling humbly – described as so overcome that they fell down even!!! They brought their presence.

They brought themselves.

Ultimately that’s what God wants… US!

It says they travelled for up to two years following the star. Would we search for two years for a Light or give up because it’s too hard, too long? Are we impatient “are we there yet people?”

But these wise men’s anticipation increased by every step the closer they came, until with AWE they dropped to their knees at their final goal.

The Wise Men used their wisdom to find Jesus.

They used their wealth to find Jesus.

They used their influence to find Jesus – they asked Herod a King where the child was.

They used their intellect to navigate the star and find Jesus.

Would we use our gifts, talents and knowhow to find Jesus?

When we truly worship. We see God more clearly.

More is revealed because we are opened up to Him, to His revelation. By spending time with Jesus, seeking Him out we come to KNOW Him more. We come to LOVE Him more. We have this desire that draws us on, even if it takes us 2 years to find Him.

Do we seek after The Light of the World and have we come prepared with gifts to adore and worship?