I have made this statement many times in my life. I have two boys and a husband therefore; this question was often rolling off my lips. Looking for someone is never a pleasant task. However, the anticipation of the find can be exhilarating. Over 2000 years ago this was the question posed by the wise men looking for Jesus.
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.”
This was a time in Jewish history that was noted with an expectation of the coming Messiah. Jews were scattered in Egypt, Rome, Greece, and many Eastern countries at this time. As the Jews moved from place to place, they carried with them the manuscripts of the Old Testament and the knowledge that had been passed down through generations of Jewish families. Therefore, the news of the Messiah coming was widespread. When Herod heard the news, he sent out wise men to find Jesus. You may wonder why a King, who was not Jewish, would be interested in a baby in a manger. His desire was peaked because the Jews had the wrong idea about the coming Messiah. They were looking for an earthly King to free them from Roman bondage. This was never God’s intent. Jesus came to free us from the bondage of sin. They were looking for a Messiah, but their idea of His purpose and coming was not what God intended.
Historians Suetonius, Tacitus, and Josephus, all record that the news of this Messiah was coming from Judea and He would have dominion over the entire region. They believed the ancient books the priests held revealed that this was the time of His coming.
It should be no surprise to us that they were looking for Him. Today, we live in a culture where people are looking for someone or something to free them from all sorts of sins. They look for a savior to make everything better in their lives. They look for someone to solve their problems, but not someone to worship, adore, love, and obey.
In the world we live in today, most are not looking for Jesus, God in the flesh, the Wonderful, Counselor, the Prince of Peace. The God of the Bible does not fit into their idea of what life should be. If they believe in a god, it is a god that is contrived in their minds. They serve a god that exists for them. They have it all wrong! The true God does not exist because of us, we exist because of Him. We were made for His glory and His pleasure.
Revelation 4:11 “Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.”
So, where is He? Where is this Messiah the wise men were seeking? Now, He is sitting at the right hand of His Father, waiting for the order from His Father to return to earth to bring His children home to Heaven. Those who have diligently sought Him will find Him. For those who seek Him the journey is only a prayer away. They do not need to travel to some distant land. They need to open their hearts and minds to Him and His ways. To repent of their sins and accept Him as their Lord and Savior. To those, His Spirit will come and dwell within them.
The wise men diligently sought Him and found Him, but they had to travel many miles. How much effort have you exercised in seeking Christ? Deuteronomy 4:29 teaches us that we are to seek Him with all our heart and soul. We are to be diligent just as the wise men were seeking. He promises to those, that He will be found. The wise men were prepared for this journey and they had a star to guide them. We don’t need to load up for a long journey and look for signs. We only need to have faith that He is who He says He is and place our faith in Him. In obedience, we will find Him. In love, we will serve Him. In gratitude, we will praise, and worship Him.
Matthew 2:8 “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.”
Deuteronomy 4:29 “But if from thence thou shalt seek the LORD thy God, thou shalt find him, if thou seek him with all thy heart and with all thy soul.”
Hebrews 11:6 “But without faith, it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.”
Where is He? He is as near or as far as you want Him to be. The choice is yours! However, you must seek Him now while the Holy Spirit is drawing you. For those who continue to put off seeking Jesus, there will come a time when He may not deal with you. You need to seek Him while He can be found before your opportunity passes. I know God is long-suffering and wants all men, women, boys, and girls to be saved, but for those who continue to reject Him, there may come a time when there are no more opportunities.
Isaiah 55:6 “Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near:”
John 6:44 “No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day.”
