The Glory Belongs to God - Wisemen's Example
Notes
Transcript
Sermon Tone Analysis
A
D
F
J
S
Emotion
A
C
T
Language
O
C
E
A
E
Social
The Wisemen could be viewed as an anomaly in the overall Christmas story. To many people, the Wisemen stand out because they don’t want them at the manger sene. Some people see them as the sophisticated ones present and wish they were like the Wisemen more than they desire to be like Christ - almost placing them as the most important part rather than the Baby Jesus. To others, they see the Wisemen in contrast from the shepherds who were poor and lowly people.
There are plenty of contrasts! The birth of Christ was a surprise to so many. Zac, Mary, Joseph and the shepherds had all been startled by angels. Not so the wisemen. They had a very different role to play in God’s plan.
Knowing one’s place in the Christmas story brings Glory to God.
The Wisemen had to plan.
The Wisemen had to plan.
Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem, saying, “Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.”
Matthew 4. Bethlehem: Herod versus the Magi (2:1–12)
The Magi were not kings but a combination of wise men and priests probably from Persia. They combined astronomical observation with astrological speculation. They played both political and religious roles and were figures of some prominence in their land.
The exile had spread the belief that the Jewish people were expecting a Messiah - Christ. These men would have been well aware of these beliefs because they were implanted into this class of men by Daniel and his 3 friends.
All that to say, they had to plan to go and see. This was big news! This was an important event. These men made the choice to place God’s plan above the situations in their lives that called them to live normal.
The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps.
For these Wisemen it was a lot of steps! A journey like this during that timeframe would take lots of planning. They arranged transportation, supplies, and even their gifts. (we are not told they were last minute shoppers in Jerusalem!)
Still today, we have to plan to worship and serve the Lord. For some it takes more effort than for others, but no effort to bring God glory is without reward.
These Wisemen stopped what they were doing in their everyday lives. They prioritized their time, energy, and efforts to move from what they were concentrated on to focusing on reorienting their lives in close proximity to Jesus. They moved toward worshiping Jesus and offering Him gifts in the process.
The wisemen were willing to be lead.
The wisemen were willing to be lead.
We see this in their willingness to follow the star.
saying, “Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.”
After listening to the king, they went on their way. And behold, the star that they had seen when it rose went before them until it came to rest over the place where the child was.
Sometimes God does use nature to miraculously guide us.
We also see their willingness to be lead in that they were willing to ask directions when they went to the wrong place.
When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him; and assembling all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. They told him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for so it is written by the prophet: “ ‘And you, O Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for from you shall come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel.’ ”
Humility is an important part of the Christmas message. The Wisemen were not the centre of the story - nor are we.
The central character in the story of Christmas is named within the season that is cherished by so many: Christ. Jesus Christ is the centerpiece that the entire story is about and revolves around.
C.S. Lewis once said, “The only thing that can dwell in the presence of God is humility.”
It is a beautiful thing to remember that the Wisemen did at the start of Jesus’ life as a newborn, what Paul says all people will do in time: bow before Him.
Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others. Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
These Wisemen:
Humbled themselves
They were obedient to what God called them
They bowed the knee.
And when they had come into the house, they saw the young Child with Mary His mother, and fell down and worshiped Him. And when they had opened their treasures, they presented gifts to Him: gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
It is a glorious thing to remember that Jesus was God’s gift to the WORLD. No matter how important you might feel or be, you and I are not God’s gift to the world that can restore a right relationship with God - Jesus is!
The Wisemen continues to follow God’s leading.
The Wisemen continues to follow God’s leading.
And being warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed to their own country by another way.
Many people think that serving God is a “One and done.” Yet that is not the case. These men served God again through some civil disobedience.
A man’s steps are from the Lord; how then can man understand his way?
I am a planner. I like working with people who are planners and think ahead. However, I also know the the important of being flexible and allowing the Lord to “lead us in a different way” than we expected.
Conclusion: Knowing one’s place in the Christmas story brings Glory to God.
Conclusion: Knowing one’s place in the Christmas story brings Glory to God.
As we make our way through this New Year, may we look for opportunities to humble ourselves and move off centre stage and onto the side or background while helping others get closer to see the One at the centre of the story. May we serve Jesus by serving others. May we find ourselves on our knees. May we find ourselves offering gifts. Herod had a wrong perspective. He was desiring God and other people bow their lives, desires, and time to serve him.
Do we understand God well enough to plan on being involved in what He is doing?
Are we willing to go out of our way to worship and help others worship?
Sure, we have followed God’s leading in the past, but are we willing to continue to follow?