All of us have something that guides us. It may be our emotions, our intellect, our religion, our financial status, our physical desires, or our relationship with Jesus Christ. Over 2000 years ago it was a star that led men to the place where the long-awaited Messiah was born.
This star of Christmas was used to guide to a location, and to illuminate. On a clear, cold night, a star shines its brightest. It can provide light especially when there are millions in the sky. In Genesis 1:16-17, God gives us the creation of the stars. He set them in the heavens to give light. At the birth of Christ, he chose to use a star as the light to lead to the Messiah!
I think it’s beautiful how God chose a light in the darkness to lead the Wise men to the Light out of the darkness of sin. From day one, God was using light as a separator. Both in Genesis 1:4 and 1:18, he was dividing the light and darkness.
Genesis 1:4 “And God saw the light, that it was good: and God divided the light from the darkness.”
Genesis 1:16-18 “And God made two great lights; the greater light to rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the night: he made the stars also. And God set them in the firmament of the heaven to give light upon the earth, And to rule over the day and over the night, and to divide the light from the darkness: and God saw that it was good.”
The Wise men were astrologers and were familiar with the constellations. It was common for them to study the stars. However, on this night God provided a star brighter than all the rest to guide them to Jesus. They followed with great anticipation. They knew there was something about this journey that would lead to something great. After all, they were commissioned by King Herod because he was curious as to when they saw the star. At this time, they did not know He was inquiring because he felt threatened by the Messiah. They did not know he wanted them to return with knowledge of where the child was so he could have him killed.
This great light in the sky led them to the great Light of the world. The Wise men didn’t understand all there was to know about this child, but they knew enough to know He was special. Maybe they had heard of the coming Messiah, the king the Jews were longing to free them from bondage to the Romans. Maybe this knowledge is what caused them to bring expensive gifts to the baby. They realized something was different about him the moment they saw the guiding star. I’m sure they had never had a star lead them to the birth of a 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.”
This star, this light, directed them to the Savior of the world! Looking back, we understand the reason for them going, but when they went, they had no idea what would be at the end of their journey. They expected to find a child who would become an earthly king of the Jews, a mere human. After seeing Him, they knew something was different about Him. They were led to this baby by a star that directed them through their entire journey, Afterward, God warned them in a dream not to return to Herod, but to go home another way.
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.”
I wonder what must have been going on in their minds. I wonder if they were living at the time of the crucifixion 33 years later. I wonder if these men who studied the stars, the lights that appeared in the sky, ever knew of Jesus’ teachings that He was the light of the world. This star, this light that led them, had led them to the true Light of the world!
John 8:12 “Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followed me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.”
These men followed the light. They were seeking to find Him, and they were diligent in their journey. Oh, that we would be so diligent to follow the Light in this life so that we may see this Light at the end of our journey. What are you allowing to guide you? Is it the true Light?
Revelation 21:22-23 “And I saw no temple therein: for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple of it. And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it: for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof.”
