It is the time of year Christians think of all the characters of the first Christmas story. If you read through Matthew and Luke in the Bible, you will see many responses to the birth of the Christ King. Each one gives us a different perspective about the birth and events surrounding it. They are not just people picked at random by God, they each teach us a valuable lesson about ourselves if we will pay close attention.
Today I want to look at the wise men that came to see the Christ child. Let’s see if we are as wise as they were.
The first thing we notice is in Matthew 2:2. Here we find them seeking Him. They saw the sign of the star in the east and they knew it was a sign about the Messiah. They go to great lengths to find Jesus. How hard are you seeking Jesus each day? Is your relationship a mental attitude or an engaging effort to know Him more today than you did yesterday? Are you truly seeking Him? Do you get up each day ready to meet with Him? These wise men traveled a long way to find Jesus. If they would have decided to follow their own directions instead of the star God provided, they probably would have never found Him. We have the Bible and the Holy Spirit to guide us to Him. Yet so many want to do it their way.
Matthew 2:1-2 “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.”
Herod was sending them on a journey. A journey to find the one that he felt threatened his throne. Little did he know the impact this Christ child would have on the wise me. His pretense was that he wanted to worship Jesus. Just as anyone seeking Jesus, they found the child and they rejoiced with great joy! What are your emotions when you come into His presence? We know that as Christians He is always with us, but sometimes we don’t acknowledge Him. Is there a daily time to worship Him, a time when you purposefully seek to spend time with Him? If your emotions don’t swell within you with joy and praise you are just checking the box. We are not all made alike, but God made all of us with emotions. You may say you are not an emotional person, but the evidence of how you react to your favorite team sport or a family member you haven’t seen in a long time will let you know how emotional you are.
Matthew 2:7-10 “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.”
In Matthew 2:11, the wise men brought Jesus gifts. It was part of their worship, and they brought Him the best they probably had. Their gifts were expensive, not just leftovers that they didn’t need, but something that showed how much they valued this child.
Matthew 2:11 “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.”
What gifts are you giving God? Does He get the leftovers after you have paid for things that were wants, not necessities? We should be giving God the first part of our earnings. Then, whatever we have left should be used to pay for the necessities of life before we purchase our wants. The Old Testament offering was to be a tenth of what was earned, but the New Testament goes further we are to give an offering, not just a tithe, which is a tenth. In Matthew 6:1-4 Jesus instructs us to do our giving in secret. Our giving is between us, and God and we are not to tell others how much we give.
Matthew 6:1-4 “Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them: otherwise, ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven. Therefore when thou doest thine alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. But when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth: That thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father which seeth in secret himself shall reward thee openly.’”
Jesus gives us another warning in this same chapter. He says that where our treasures are that is where our heart is. Think about this during this Christmas season. As you buy everyone you know a gift, how does that compare to what you give to God?
Matthew 6:21 “For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.”
Another great characteristic of the wise men was that they protected their relationship with the Messiah. In Matthew 2:12, they were warned in a dream that they should not return to Herod. They chose to obey and go another way. How often are we warned about relationships, or activities through biblical principles or direct commands to not do something but we ignore acting as if it is no big deal? We are to guard our hearts and minds against anything that hinders our relationship or testimony with Jesus.
Matthew 2:12 “And being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way.”
Take note of these qualities that the Wise men possessed and ask yourself, “Am I being a wise person?” Do I seek Him, rejoice in His presence, engage in personal worship time, offer Him the best that I have, and avoid anything that would hinder my testimony and relationship with Him?
