One of the things that came about during the advent of Christ’s birth, is the arrival of the wise men. The Bible says, “They arrived unexpectedly in Jerusalem.” They wanted to know where the ‘King of the Jews was born, for they saw His star from afar. It took them quite some time to arrive in Jerusalem, and were told that the He would be in Bethlehem, because that was what was foretold by the prophet Micah several hundred years prior: “And you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the leaders of Judah: because out of you will come a leader who will shepherd My people Israel.” Matthew 2:6 So, the Wise men travelled a great distance to find Him who is called the Messiah. So how come more learned men weren’t following the star? Couldn’t they see it? Were there only three who could know that the star they saw was announcing the birth of the Messiah? Certainly the star was there for everyone to see. Even the religious leaders knew enough to tell the wise men that the Messiah would be born in Bethlehem, but they couldn’t see the light either, or they would have left all that they had and followed the wise men. And were the men “wise” only because they saw a star? We don’t know anything about them except that they believed the star they saw was drawing them to where the King of the Jews would be born. Today, what are we drawn by? What draws you to Jesus? These days, it certainly isn’t His popularity, for He is actually hated by many, tolerated by some, and loved by few. Where do you go to see Him? Where do you go to visit Him? This child, whose destiny was the cross, now sits at the right hand of the Father in Heaven, and He knows our comings and our goings. He knows when we seek Him and when we don’t. He knows when we desire to follow Him, and when we want to speak about Him, and to Him. And He knows when we don’t. It no longer has to be a star to visualize in the heavens, for He is right here. Paul was addressing the men of Athens, and he told them this: “Therefore, what you worship in ignorance, this I proclaim to you. The God who made the world and everything in it – He is Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in shrines made by hands. Neither is He served by human hands, as though He needed anything, since He Himself gives everyone life and breath and all things. From one man He has made every nationality to live over the whole earth and has determined their appointed times and the boundaries of where they live. He did this so they might seek God, and perhaps they might reach out and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us.” Acts 17: 23-27 So, let’s become like the wise men, and seek Him, and we don’t even have to travel to Bethlehem, for He is right here, waiting for you to acknowledge Him and He will give you eyes that see, and ears that hear what He has to say, for He is still the Messiah, Lord of our lives, whether we accept Him or not. And it is true, Wise men still seek Him! Pastor Andy
Barnabas Man 