Mat 2:1-12 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, 2 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. 3 When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. 4 And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he demanded of them where Christ should be born. 5 And they said unto him, In Bethlehem of Judaea: for thus it is written by the prophet, 6 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. 7 Then Herod, when he had privily called the wise men, enquired of them diligently what time the star appeared. 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. 9 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. 10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy. 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. 12 And being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way.
The story of the wise men (magi) coming from the east to worship the newborn King of the Jews is striking tribute to their decision, determination and dedication. They made a journey to see and worship a king based on the star they saw and their interpretation of its significance. This interpretation they most likely determined by knowledge obtained through studies of ancient writings in their possession or available to them.
We also are on a journey. Life itself is a journey as time inexorably pushes us on. We are unable to return to yesterday to change anything. Since we are stuck with our yesterdays for all time we need to plan wisely with much forethought, fully dependent on the Lord's promises. Every day that passes we will be faced with decisions to make little or big journeys of faith. These journeys must be based on the promises and the prophetic word of God. We need to be wise
1. THE WISE MAN'S JOURNEY BEGINS WITH KNOWLEDGE!
The wise men saw the star and being "wise men" investigated its appearance. They recognized its significance and realized that the personage responsible for its appearance deserved worshiped. How did they know who He was and that it was in Israel they would find the King? It is likely that they were familiar with the prophecies of the greatest wise man of them all…the Hebrew prophet Daniel who spent his life in captivity in service to the Babylonian and Persian monarchs. Daniel’s explosively precise prophecy concerning the Messiah (Christ) was probably studied intensively by these magi and influenced them in their decision to pay homage to this remarkable king whose birth was signified by a peculiar star.
Thousands of years before, another traveler followed a promise and a prophecy into a land unknown to him.
Gen 12:1-4 Now the LORD had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father's house, unto a land that I will shew thee: 2 And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing: 3 And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed. 4 So Abram departed, as the LORD had spoken unto him;..
Knowledge of a promise, a prophecy or a precept from the word of God is vital. God said: My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children. Hos 4:6
Bear in mind that: The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction. Pro 1:7
Jesus said: Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock. Mat 7:24-25
2. THE WISE MAN'S JOURNEY REQUIRES FAITH
The wise men believed the message in the prophecy and the star. They believed in it enough to undertake an arduous journey towards their objective...to find the Christ!
We need to always keep in mind that faith is the essential ingredient in pleasing God.
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. Heb 11:6
Abraham began his journey based on faith in Him Who called him. He did not know where he was going for he had never passed that way before. He ventured out based solely on the promise of YAHWEH!
Heb 11:8 By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went.
Our response towards God is based on our faith in his Word to us.
Faith in God's Word results in doing what He says and Jesus said Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock. Mat 7:24-25
So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. Rom 10:17
3. THE WISE MAN'S JOURNEY IS AN EXERCISE IN PATIENCE AND PERSISTENCE
A Chinese proverb says that "A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step" The wise men could have admired the star and expressed awe at its appearance and significance, but would have gotten nowhere if they had not made that first step.
Even though assured by the Word of God Israel, in the wilderness, refused to take that first step and they forever lost, big time, the inheritance of God!
Heb 3:7-11 Wherefore (as the Holy Ghost saith, Today if ye will hear his voice, 8 Harden not your hearts, as in the provocation, in the day of temptation in the wilderness: 9 When your fathers tempted me, proved me, and saw my works forty years. 10 Wherefore I was grieved with that generation, and said, They do alway err in their heart; and they have not known my ways. 11 So I sware in my wrath, They shall not enter into my rest.)
We need to be aware that God is displeased if we give up and draw back For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence stedfast unto the end; Heb 3:14
Therefore as the Word says in Heb 10:35-39 Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompence of reward. 36 For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise. 37 For yet a little while, and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry. 38 Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him. 39 But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul.
4. THE WISE MAN'S JOURNEY RESULTS IN A RICH REWARD
They came! They saw! They worshiped!
The culmination of their long journey was the sight of the child who was born King of the Jews. The child was special! Prophesied about in the Word! Indicated by an unusual star. The wise men rejoiced in the completion of their journey and the reward of feasting their eyes on Him who they worshiped and to Whom they presented gifts. Our ultimate goal is also worship of Him who has called us. Our acts and steps are all directed towards worship of Him who sits on the throne. It's the ultimate goal of the pilgrim's progress...to enter the Celestial City and behold the One who died in our place so that we can live in His place that He has prepared for us.
We have a reward also: For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works. Mat 16:27
Our ultimate goal is also worship of Him who has called us. Our acts and steps are all directed towards worship of Him who sits on the throne. It's the ultimate goal of the pilgrim's progress...to enter the Celestial City and behold the One who died in our place so that we can live in His place that He has prepared for us.
Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompence of reward. Heb 10:35
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. Heb 11:6
Col 3:17-25 And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him. 18 Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as it is fit in the Lord. 19 Husbands, love your wives, and be not bitter against them. 20 Children, obey your parents in all things: for this is well pleasing unto the Lord. 21 Fathers, provoke not your children to anger, lest they be discouraged. 22 Servants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh; not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but in singleness of heart, fearing God: 23 And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; 24 Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ. 25 But he that doeth wrong shall receive for the wrong which he hath done: and there is no respect of persons.
1Co 3:8-15 Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labour. 9 For we are labourers together with God: ye are God's husbandry, ye are God's building. 10 According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon. 11 For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. 12 Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; 13 Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is. 14 If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. 15 If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.
Mat 10:40-42 He that receiveth you receiveth me, and he that receiveth me receiveth him that sent me. 41 He that receiveth a prophet in the name of a prophet shall receive a prophet's reward; and he that receiveth a righteous man in the name of a righteous man shall receive a righteous man's reward. 42 And whosoever shall give to drink unto one of these little ones a cup of cold water only in the name of a disciple, verily I say unto you, he shall in no wise lose his reward.
