"Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea 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. When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he demanded of them where Christ should be born. And they said unto him, "In Bethlehem of Judaea: for thus it is written by the prophet, And thou Bethlehem, in the land of Juda, art not the least among the princes of Juda: for out of thee shall come a Governor, that shall rule my people Israel." Then Herod, when he had privily called the wise men, enquired of them diligently what time the star appeared. And he sent them to Bethlehem, and said, "Go and search diligently for the young child; and when ye have found him, bring me word again, that I may come and worship him also." When they had heard the king, they departed; and, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy. And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh." (Matthew 2:1-11)
The story of the wise men is fascinating, because it is the story of a mysterious caravan, not a trading caravan, not a caravan of spies or diplomats, but a caravan of astronomers in search of God. They crossed mountains and deserts; they probably spent months on the road, making a pilgrimage to meet the Savior of the human race face to face. They rejoiced when they met him, even though he was still a baby. They gave him the best they could offer--gold, frankincense and myrrh--the costliest things of the ancient world. The search for God ends in just this way. Through all the obstacles to faith, we travel and seek out the Way, Truth and Life of Jesus Christ (John 14:6), and find salvation and the promise of someday seeing God face to face. In the joy of possessing eternal salvation, we strive to give the best that we have. And what is the costliest thing we have? The thing that God wants more than any other gift? Our souls, our very lives, to love and be loved in eternal union with Him. Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ Our Lord that we can make the same journey as the wise men, guided by the bright Morning Star of Christ, to find a home within the sacred family of His church, and to meet salvation face to face (1 Corinthians 13). May we all open up our treasures this season and give all that we have.
City Church of Christ wishes you a Merry Christmas, Peace on earth and good will toward all. Amen.
0 comments:
Post a Comment