“Wise People Still Seek Him” Scripture: Matthew 2:1-12, Luke 2:8-20 Preacher: Rev. Mark Bartsch Kobe Union Church December 22, 2024
"Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock." (Matthew 7:24-25)
At the time of Jesus' birth, a light appeared in the sky, shining brightly over Bethlehem. That light, shining in the darkness, was so bright that it drew the attention of scholars from thousands of miles away, guiding both the wise men from the East and the shepherds in the fields. Two very different groups—one well-off and educated, the other poor and uneducated—set out to solve this mystery. Both sought the Messiah. Their journeys reveal something profound: God is always drawing people to Himself, regardless of status or background.
Today, we’ll reflect on these contrasting journeys and how they teach us to get off the couch and follow God actively. Seeking Him is not just a thought or a feeling; it’s an action—a deliberate response to His call.
The Journey of the Wise Men
The wise men, or Magi, traveled from the East, likely from Persia or Babylon. They were scholars who studied the stars and interpreted their meanings. Something about this particular star convinced them that a great king had been born, and they decided to act. They left the comforts of their studies and embarked on a months-long journey to find Him. They brought gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh—gifts with deep symbolic significance:
Gold represents Jesus’ kingship, purity, and sinless nature. As 2 Corinthians 5:21 says, "God made Him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God."
Frankincense symbolizes divinity and Jesus’ role as our high priest. Frankincense was used in the worship of God. Hebrews 4:14-16 tells us about our high priest: "Since we have a great high priest who has ascended into heaven, Jesus the Son of God..."
Myrrh foreshadows Jesus’ suffering and sacrifice. It was used in embalming and points to His death on the cross.
Act When You See the Signs
The wise men saw a sign—and they acted. Let’s pause here: when you see God moving in your life, do you act? Or do you stay on the couch, thinking, “Maybe tomorrow”?
In Acts 8, when Philip shares the gospel with the Ethiopian eunuch, the man gets off his chariot and says, “What is stopping me from being baptized?” Philip baptizes him immediately—not in twenty minutes, not this afternoon, but now.
The wise men’s journey wasn’t easy. They didn’t know exactly where to go. They even made a wrong stop and asked King Herod, who had his own evil plans. Let’s be honest: the wise men did something unwise that even the simple shepherds wouldn’t do. Everyone in Judea knew not to talk to Herod because he was evil!
Similarly, our journeys of faith have detours and interruptions. Last week, we looked at how Joseph’s life was interrupted. Life has detours. But when we follow God’s Word, prayer, and the guidance of the Holy Spirit, He brings us to the destination. The key is intentionality—we must choose to act, not just because others do, but because we’ve decided for ourselves to follow Jesus.
I love the song:"I have decided to follow Jesus,I have decided to follow Jesus,I have decided to follow Jesus,No turning back. No turning back."
The Shepherds’ Journey
The shepherds were in a completely different situation. Likely poor and young, they worked the night shift, guarding sheep. It was to these lowly workers that the angels appeared, proclaiming, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people."
They didn’t hesitate—they hurried to Bethlehem. Unlike the wise men, who followed a star, the shepherds received a direct invitation from God. They didn’t bring gold or frankincense; they brought the only thing they had: themselves.
That’s all God really requires of us: to bring ourselves. In college, there were BYOB (Bring Your Own Beverage) parties. In faith, it’s BYOS—Bring Your Own Self. And they went. After seeing Jesus, they returned to their fields glorifying and praising God. Their journey reminds us that God’s call isn’t limited by wealth or education. He meets us where we are.
The Contrast of King Herod
Then there’s Herod. He also heard about the birth of Jesus. When the wise men stopped in Jerusalem and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews?” (Matthew 2:2), Herod didn’t rejoice. He didn’t follow the star. Instead, he felt threatened.
Herod was obsessed with his own power. To protect his throne, he plotted to destroy Jesus, ordering the massacre of innocent children in Bethlehem. Herod represents the opposite of the wise men and shepherds. Where they sought the Messiah, he sought control. Where they gave worship and gifts, he grasped for power. Herod’s fear and pride blinded him to the truth. His response reminds us that there’s always a danger in ignoring God’s signs.
The Right Response Is Worship
Both the wise men and shepherds worshiped Jesus. Worship requires action: seeking Him, praising Him, and giving our best. Herod’s refusal to worship brought destruction instead of peace.
The Fourth Wise Man
One of my favorite stories is The Fourth Wise Man by Henry van Dyke. It tells of Artaban, who planned to join the other wise men but was delayed by acts of compassion. He used his treasures to help others, freeing slaves and saving lives. By the time he reached Jesus, it was at the crucifixion. Artaban lamented missing his chance to honor the King, but God assured him: "Whatever you did for one of the least of these, you did for Me."
Artaban’s story reminds us that seeking Jesus isn’t just about finding Him; it’s about living for Him—loving others and following His example.
How Can We Be Wise?
While we don’t have a star to follow, we have the guiding light of Jesus Christ. Here’s how we can seek Him today:
Seek Him with Humility – Like the wise men who "fell down and worshiped Him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered Him gifts..." (Matthew 2:10-11).
Respond with Faith and Obedience – Like the shepherds who said, “Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened...” (Luke 2:15-16). Or as James 1:22 says, “But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.”
Live Sacrificially – Like the shepherds who returned "glorifying and praising God" (Luke 2:20). Or as Romans 12:1 says, “Present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.”
Get Off the Couch
The stories of the wise men and shepherds remind us that following God is an active choice. Maybe you’ve been sitting back, waiting for the perfect moment to commit to God’s call. This is your sign to get up and follow. Like the wise men, bring your best. Like the shepherds, bring yourself. Like Artaban, live a life that reflects His love.
Wise people still seek Him. Will you?
Questions:
What signs of God’s work have you noticed in your life recently, and how have you responded to them?
The wise men and the shepherds acted on what they saw and heard. What is one step of faith God is calling you to take today?
Herod’s response to Jesus was driven by fear and pride. Are there areas in your life where fear or pride might be preventing you from fully surrendering to God?
The shepherds brought nothing but themselves to Jesus. In what ways can you bring your authentic self to God and worship Him with what you have?
How can you live sacrificially this week, following the example of the wise men, the shepherds, or Artaban in showing God’s love to others?
Commenti