It was a long, difficult journey. It is uncertain just how far and how long it took them to leave their homeland and arrive in Bethlehem. It could have been months. These wise men were not wise in God’s sight because of what they could do, or what they knew from many books, or abilities. They were wise according to what God calls wisdom. Whether their referenced name was truly “WISE MEN”. Or “magi”, or… I think we can learn valuable insights into the WISE WAYS of these men pertaining to Christmas and the King.
Their decision was made. Minds were set on the goal. No turning back. Focused. Determined. In the city seeking and asking where to find the newborn KING. Shunned and turned away from evil of the world. (Herod in the story).
Overjoyed by God’s provision of the star to light the way.
Eventually they made it to their destination to SEE Christ the Savior and King!
Their response should be the response of anyone today, who experiences the presence of the Savior. They SAW. In humble, reverent, adoration, they worshiped the King!
Anyone can come to Christ the King this very day. Jesus told his disciples, I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me (John 14:6). He did not merely point the way to God. He Himself is the only way to the Father and the source of eternal truth and life. The way to God is through personal faith in Jesus Christ.
The Word became flesh. Jesus! Like the star was the provision for the Wise Men to find their way, God has provided the WAY to the Father for all eternity, through the gift of His Son. The Perfect Lamb of God, who came to die and live again, so that we might have life.
Just as the star showed the way, God has provided His Word to light the way each step on this journey. “thy Word is a LAMP unto my feet and a LIGHT unto my path”. Psalm 119:105
His Word makes us wise. His Word lead us.
Follow in determined, focus, with joy. Seek, seek to be nearer and nearer to the King. Recognize His provision. Jesus the Lamb. The empty tomb that conquered death and hell. The Holy Spirit to be our Helper. The Holy Bible/Word of God to light the way. Make that commitment. Turn away from evil, no turning back. Intently focused. Humble submission, reverent awe and wonder. Worship in the inward motives of our hearts and outward actions that follow.
We are wise to leave everything familiar as the WISE MEN of Christmas did. Apply the holy scriptures at every thought, decision, action, in obedience to His voice that leads moment by moment, day by day. Turn from evil, (sin is evil and “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” Rom. 3:23) and follow the difficult path. Commit to a promised difficult, long, and yet joyous journey that leads to an eternity of joy, wonder, worship in the presence of the King.
Jesus committed to a long, difficult journey from the prestigious homeland of heaven. Humbly submitted to the Father. A long, painful, difficult journey to the cross in order to save. Are we wise and recognizing the real meaning of Christmas? This journey the King of heaven took down to this darkened, selfish, sin stained world? Wise to fall in submission and worship, as we recognize our empty and weak state? And worship each moment, day by day, until eternity the One Who came to save?
Will we be WISE MEN and WOMEN who follow all the way to our destination?
Jesus isn’t some “make Him who you want Him to be God” in our lives. That’s a deception of the evil enemy. Will we turn from that lie and evil? The Jesus Who was the babe in the manger, the WORD that became flesh and dwelt among us, is the same JESUS of the Old Testament, New Testament, and today speaks to us, through His WRITTEN WORD and tells us how to FOLLOW all the way to eternity.
Holding forth the WORD OF LIFE; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither laboured in vain.” (Philippians 2:16)
The written Word that I gathered this Christmas story comes from Matthew 2:2-12. Have you read it? Will you read it? Rather than place it here, I will leave this reference so that as a WISE person you may read and SEEK for yourself. (don’t take my word, take the WORD -that is wise!).
“You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.” Jer. 29:13
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As I planned this little reflection for our home school time with our boys today, the Lord gave me this wonderful literature as well. So pertinent to what I wanted to relay here about JESUS the WORD: (please enjoy from the Day of Praise)
Living Word/The Word of Life
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by Henry M. Morris, Ph.D. | Nov. 29, 2017
“Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither laboured in vain.” (Philippians 2:16)
There is such beautiful correlation between the Living Word (Christ) and the written Word (the Bible) that certain Scriptures could well apply to either one. Such is the case with our text. The Philippians were exhorted to hold forth the Word of life, which presumably could mean either Christ, the Living Word, or else the Scriptures, which speak of eternal life.
The same dual meaning can be discerned in such texts as 2 Timothy 4:2 (“Preach the word”) and Hebrews 4:12 (“The word of God is quick, and powerful”). In fact, there are many beautiful figures of speech that are applied in the Bible to the ministries of both Christ and the Scriptures in a believer’s life.
For example, Christ is “the light of the world” (John 8:12), but also “the commandment is a lamp; and the law is light” (Proverbs 6:23). Similarly Jesus said, “I am the bread of life” (John 6:35), but He also said, “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God” (Luke 4:4).
The Lord Jesus Christ said, “If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink” (John 7:37). God also promised that “as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, . . . So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth” (Isaiah 55:10-11).
Both are described as the very personification of truth. Jesus said, “I am . . . the truth,” and He prayed to the Father, “Thy word is truth” (John 14:6; 17:17). Finally, both must be received: “Receive . . . the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls” (James 1:21), for “as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God” (John 1:12). HMM
Good read sweetheart!
Thanks for pointing ☝️ me to the One who guides my steps.