At this time of year we call to mind the birth of Jesus at Bethlehem. The first two verses of Matthew chapter two read, “Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem 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 first question in the Old Testament was when God said to Adam, “Where art thou?” It was God seeking man. The first question in the New Testament was asked by the wise men, “Where is he that is born King of the Jews?” which was man seeking God.
Since the fall of Adam in Eden it has been God who has been seeking sinners, to deliver them from their sins and save them for eternity. So we read in 1 John 4:14, “The Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world”. This grand plan of salvation for sinners necessitated the Son of God coming into the world and giving His life on the cross, to reconcile sinners to God.
It will always be wise people who seek after God and discover the love of God for their souls. Wise people enjoy the forgiveness of their sins knowing that Christ's death at Calvary settles it all. This was not God's ‘Plan B’. God determined this way of salvation for sinners before He made the worlds. Jesus is the “Lamb slain from the foundation of the world”(Rev. 13:8).
The wise men made a mistake by going first to Herod’s Palace at Jerusalem, Jesus was not there. People today look for Christ in the wrong places! Places of man made religion. It is not the way that God has revealed in the Bible. The wise men knew who they were looking for - the one who was born King! If you are seeking for truth and eternal life don’t look for anyone less than the Sovereign Lord Jesus Christ. He will reign over all the earth on day as King of Kings and Lord of Lords.
The wise men were warned of God that Herod had a murderous plan for the babe. So they did not go back to him after they found Christ; they went home another way. I like that! God’s way is always different to man’s way. These wise men went God’s way and in so doing they left intelligent gifts behind them - gold, frankincense and myrrh. The gold expressed their understanding of the royalty and deity of the child. The frankincense spoke of the loveliness and purity of the life that Jesus would live. The myrrh reminds us of the suffering of the cross as this was an ointment that was normally used on a dead body.
Wise men appreciate and value the Son of God and they worship Him. Do you?
It would be a marvellous Christmas if you applied your heart unto wisdom, sought the Lord and found Him to be your Saviour.
Lots more to see at www.seekthetruth.org.uk
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