Wise Men Still Seek Him

Explanation: The Magi were most likely Persian Astrologers who served as advisors to the royal courts of their day. If they were Persians, it was highly likely they were of the Zoroastrian belief system (Cosmic dualism; not Jewish). They observed the Star of Jesus when it rose on the night of His birth. The star would have been centered on the manger, but it was still significantly brighter and noticeable even to those who were over 900 miles away. These Magi understood the star’s rising to herald the birth of a great king.

Illustrate: Number of people who ignore evacuation warnings

Argument: The Star of Jesus was observed by the wise men from the East. That definitely means it would have been visible to those in the immediate vicinity, including King Herod and those in Jerusalem. There is no indication that the star was noted by any of the Jewish leaders, and they were the ones best equipped to understand the meaning of its rising.

The Magi did not have the Jewish pedigrees of learning or knowledge of the OT prophecies regarding the Messiah, but they still recognized the spiritual sign of the star. Our desire should be likened to the Magi, not to King Herod. We should and can be aware of the spiritual signs and indicators of our present day. The men of Issachar understood their times (), and the spiritually wise among us will seek to understand our own times.

Application: A New Year brings new challenges, new goals, and a renewed desire to pursue and achieve. Focus your energies in a spiritual direction and seek to more fully understand the things of God as disclosed in Christ

Those who are Wise will Respond to signs of Spiritual importance ()

Explanation: The Magi did not recognize that something significant had taken place, and then just went back to their daily routines. They took action and investigated this unique happening in a more detailed manner. As they were not Jews, they must have took the time to seek out sources of knowledge that gave insight into Jewish history. It is significant that Daniel the prophet resided in Babylon in the 6th century B.C., a kingdom that later came under Persian rule. It is possible the Magi of Jesus’ day were descendents of the wise men that Daniel had associated with. If so, they had access to Daniel’s writings, which included prophecies of a Kingdom that would have eternal dominion and would have a Mighty King to rule over it.

Illustrate: A person can be given signs that indicate a decay of health (extra weight, high blood pressure, cholesterol, blood sugar issues, etc). A wise person will make a change of lifestyle in order to avoid negative health issues

Argument: Contrast the plans and preparations with the actions of Herod. The Magi researched the significance of the Jewish Scriptures, made provisions and plans for a 900 mile journey across the Fertile Crescent, and then actually set out on the journey. Herod did not even know the location of the Messiah’s arrival, even though he had easy access to counselors and the Scriptures. And, even after he was told the location was Bethlehem, which was only 12 miles away, he couldn’t be bothered to journey there himself.

Application: God has revealed Himself to His creation. He has revealed Himself through Natural Revelation, and He has more fully revealed Himself to mankind through Special Revelation (The Scriptures). Are you pursuing wisdom through God’s revelation? Are you seeking to respond to His initiatives as He invites you to join Him?

Those who are Wise will yield their lives in worship to the only One who is worthy ()

Explanation: In the process of observing the Star, and researching the Jewish histories, these Magi became convinced of the supernatural origin of the birth of this king. They did not travel all that distance just to honor the arrival of another earthly king; they traveled and brought gifts in order to worship The King! (, ). The Magi recieved a significant truth as to who Jesus was. They may have not known the complete truth (as to His sacrificial death and resurrection), but they were granted an understanding that Jesus was worthy of worship, not mere reverence.

Example: It is sad how many church attenders miss this crucial point. They receive information about Jesus, but they somehow never see Him as worthy of worship. So many are only interested in fire insurance, not the pursuit and worship of the One who is the real Treasure.

Argument: The lives of the Magi are examples of Gentiles who received revelation of the True Identity of Jesus and then, in response to the revelation, bowed the knee in worship. Their bringing of costly gifts is a visible expression of the worth they considered this new King to possess. The sacrifice involved in the journey, the gifts, and their time were indicative of heart issues.

As humans created in the image of God we are born with “eternity in our hearts” () and we will worship. The crucial issue is who or what are we worshiping?

Application: We are told not to lay up treasures on earth, but to do so in heaven (). What are you investing in? The temporal or the eternal? “He is no fool who gives up what he cannot keep to gain that which he cannot lose.” (Jim Elliot)

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