Introduction
Three weeks ago, we began a series during Advent that focuses on the significance of waiting on God's message. This season encourages us to reflect on the hope, peace, and joy that comes from such waiting. In celebrating Christ's birth, we are reminded of our ongoing expectation and longing for God’s promises to be fulfilled. Throughout these weeks, we have explored how the message of the coming Messiah is conveyed through various figures in Scripture. We began with the prophets, who announced the hope of a future light overcoming darkness. We then considered the angels’ message of great joy that affirms the significance of waiting on God. We turned to the shepherds, who conveyed the good news of God's peace and goodwill toward humanity. Today, we will focus on the Magi, or wise men, whose journey reflects a deep faith in the truth of God's revelation and His calling to worship Him.
Main Points
The Narrative In Matthew 2 Begins
The narrative in Matthew 2 begins with the Magi arriving in Jerusalem after Jesus’ birth. These wise men, coming from the east, symbolize a journey of faith propelled by the search for truth.
- In verse 2, they pose an important question: "Where is he who has been born King of the Jews?" Their journey is fueled by a star they have seen and an earnest desire to worship the.
- This search for the truth is a model for our own quests for God.
- It invites us to reflect on how we actively pursue our relationship with Him.
- The journey requires not only a recognition of the existence of God but also an understanding of the evidence that leads us to Him.
In Searching For Christ We Learn
In searching for Christ, we learn that faith often involves pursuing answers that lie beyond our immediate understanding. In Hebrews 11, we are reminded of the nature of faith.
- It is defined as "the confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see." The Magi exemplify a faith that propels them toward worship.
- Their journey illustrates the three essential aspects of a substantial faith: drawing near to God, believing in His existence, and understanding that He rewards those who seek Him.
- For many of us, acknowledging that God exists might seem straightforward, yet genuine faith goes beyond mere belief.
- As the wise men demonstrated, our faith must influence our actions; it should move us closer to God and compel us to worship Him.
When We Pursue Faith Earnestly We
When we pursue faith earnestly, we can expect to encounter a God who rewards our seeking with His presence. As we consider the wise men's journey toward Bethlehem, we encounter a critical contrast: the response of Herod and the religious elite. They are confronted with the truth of Scripture but fail to act on it. The wise men search fulfilled prophecies and travel to find Christ, while those with knowledge of the Scriptures do nothing, remaining uninvolved in the revelation before them. This serves as a cautionary tale for us today. It challenges us to ask ourselves if we, too, might be settling for information over transformation.
True Faith Requires Action That Leads
True faith requires action that leads us to worship, rather than complacently accepting knowledge without application. We must be proactive in allowing the truth of God's Word to reshape our lives rather than merely cataloging information. Upon finding Jesus, the wise men express immeasurable joy. They enter the house, see the young child, and worship Him, presenting gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Their response signifies that genuine faith culminates in worship and devotion. It is a beautiful reminder that when we seek diligently, we will find the Lord, and when we do, our response should be authentic worship.
In Worship We Acknowledge His Kingship
In worship, we acknowledge His kingship (gold), His role as our High Priest (frankincense), and the purpose of His coming, to redeem us through His sacrifice (myrrh). This passage illustrates that worship is the rightful response to encountering Christ. When we truly draw near to God, we are not only rewarded with joy but with a deeper understanding of the heart of the Gospel. A profound truth revealed in this Christmas message is that while we actively seek God, ultimately He is the one who seeks us out. The Gospel assures us that God has initiated a relationship with us, making the first move. Unlike every other belief system that requires us to pursue righteousness through our efforts, the Gospel unveils a God who left His lofty throne to become one of us, actively pursuing the lost.
This Is Illustrated Beautifully In John
This is illustrated beautifully in John 1, where it states that He came into the world that was made through Him, yet it did not recognize Him. It is crucial for us to remember that we have not stumbled upon God by mere chance; He is intentionally drawing us to Himself, offering the great joy of belonging as His children. The joy of Christmas is not merely in our arrival at worship but also in the assurance that God welcomes us into His family. As we conclude our exploration of the wise men's faith journey, we recognize the overarching story of redemption encapsulated in Christ's coming. The gifts they presented were not empty gestures but rich representations of His identity and mission. Jesus came to fulfill the role of a King, High Priest, and Savior, culminating in His eventual sacrifice on the cross.
This Profound Truth Invites Us To
This profound truth invites us to celebrate not only His birth but the ultimate purpose of His life, which leads us into communion. When we reflect on our own lives, we must acknowledge that the gifts we bring to Him, our time, talents, and treasures, are our responses to His great love. As we prepare to partake in communion, we recognize the incredible gift of Christ and His sacrifice for our sins. Let us celebrate with joy as we worship the King who has come to seek and save the lost.
Conclusion
In summarizing our lesson today, we are reminded that the journey of the wise men embodies the essence of faith that draws near to God. They exemplified how a search for truth can lead us to worship, and their response underscores the importance of action in our faith. As we celebrate the message of Christmas, we are called to reflect on our own relationship with God, ensuring that our knowledge transforms into a heartfelt pursuit. Let us be vigilant in honoring the Word and responding actively to God's revelations, so that we may experience the fullness of joy in our worship of Christ, the coming King.