HOW BADLY DO YOU WISH TO SEE THE CHRIST–THE MESSIAH?
How badly do you wish to see The Christ?
As we enter into the calendar period near our holiday named Christmas, often many read the story of the birth of Jesus the Christ. But, have you noticed the nature of the persons mentioned in the story and their desire to see the Christ child?
When we examine their personalities and attitudes toward the child, we see differing reasons for each group wanting to see him. Could our desires to find the Messiah be any different? Let us examine these different groups and why they desired to see the Christ child.
A. Wise men; Magi
1. Matthew 2:1-2. 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, 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.
a. These Wise men were considered wise because they studied the scriptures and astrology.
b. Prophecy foretold of a star. One which would come from Jacob in the future.
i. Numbers 24:17.Num 24:17 — I shall see him, but not now: I shall behold him, but not nigh: there shall come a Star out of Jacob, and a Sceptre shall rise out of Israel, and shall smite the corners of Moab, and destroy all the children of Sheth.
ii. Jesus is that Star, metaphorically
c. This physical bright star the Wise men saw was a sign unto them of the fulfillment of the prophecy proclaimed.
d. An ‘illustrious prince’ (star metaphorically speaking) will come to destroy the evil ones and redeem the righteous
e. To them, this bright star signified the coming of the illustrious prince which would redeem the earth
2. Why did they desire to see the child?
a. “...we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.” (vs. 2)
i. ‘To worship him’
b. Are you like the Wise men who studied the scriptures and, by faith, believe and know Jesus is the Messiah and desire to worship Him?
B. Shepherds
1. Luke 2:8-11. 8 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. 10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. 11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
a. Shepherds were confronted with angels telling them of a special event which had taken place nearby.
b. The shepherds were told of the Savior born into the world.
2. Why did the shepherds desire to see the child?
a. Luke 2:15. 15 And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.
i. Curiosity overcame them
ii. They had not expected the arrival of the prophesied ‘Star’ (illustrious prince) to come and redeem Israel
iii. The novelty of the event with the angels brought curiosity such that they began to talk one to another concerning this news.
1). What did it mean?
2) So they decided to investigate the news, “let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see.”
b. The truth of the angel proven by what the shepherds saw filled their minds with great joy and they told all the could of the great event they witnessed.
i. Luke 2:20. 20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.
3. Did you come into the House of the Lord for curiosity's sake?
a. Did you come to see what was the teaching of this congregation?
b. Were you curious about Jesus?
c. Did the great news of Jesus cleansing you of your sin cause you to tell anyone who would listen?
C. Simeon
1. Luke 2:22-26. 22 And when the days of her purification according to the law of Moses were accomplished, they brought him to Jerusalem, to present him to the Lord; 23 (As it is written in the law of the Lord, Every male that openeth the womb shall be called holy to the Lord;) 24 And to offer a sacrifice according to that which is said in the law of the Lord, A pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons. (Lev. 12:1-8) 25 And, behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and the same man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Ghost was upon him. 26 And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord's Christ.
a. Simeon worked and lived in the temple and was very old
b. He had been promised he would not die until he had physically seen the Christ child with his own eyes
c. The Spirit guided him that day Jesus’ parents came after Mary’s purification as directed by the Law of Moses.
2. Luke 2:27-32. 27 And he came by the Spirit into the temple: and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him after the custom of the law, 28 Then took he him up in his arms, and blessed God, and said, 29 Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word: 30 For mine eyes have seen thy salvation, 31 Which thou hast prepared before the face of all people; 32 A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel.
a. Simeon understood the prophecies concerning the coming Christ. Obviously he had prayed to God to allow him to see the promised seed of Abraham.
b. Realizing the pending time, Simeon felt the timing of the coming ‘Seed’ was at hand and desired, like unto many prophets before, desired to see the child
c. Do you know the prophecy of Jesus unto John concerning the coming Judgment Day of the Lord?
i. Do you wait for the second coming of Jesus and desire to see The Christ deliver Abraham’s seed?
ii. Has the Spirit placed in you a desire to see The Christ before your death?
D. Anna
1. Luke 2:36-38. 36 And there was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Aser: she was of a great age, and had lived with an husband seven years from her virginity; 37 And she was a widow of about fourscore and four years, which departed not from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day. 38 And she coming in that instant gave thanks likewise unto the Lord, and spake of him to all them that looked for redemption in Jerusalem.
a. Righteous women who give themselves wholly unto the work of the Lord and are faithful unto him can see The Christ.
b. Anna worked and lived in the temple, following her husband’s death, for 84 years.
c. God blessed her to see The Christ child
i. God will cause everyone who is just and faithful to see Jesus and be blessed
2. Will you live serving God for the remainder of your life?
a. Once you have seen Jesus, your desire should be to be faithful until death to see his second coming to redeem the righteous from this world and carry us to Heaven
E. Herod
1. Herod desired to see The Christ-child
a. Mt. 2:1-3. 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, 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.
i. Unlike others who had heard the good news, he was troubled. Why?
1) This news of another King over the Jews concerned Herod.
2) It put a cramp in his personality; there was another King?
3) Jealousy filled Herod’s heart. Competition was out there
ii. What desire did Herod have in finding the competition, The Christ-child?
1) Mt. 2:4-5. 4 And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people (Israel’s leaders; Sanhedrin) 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,
2) Herod’s desire to see The Christ was for evil. So, he deceiptly inquired of the Wise men to find this child.
3) Mt. 2:7-8. 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.
i)His deception was to worship the child, also. But,
ii) He desired to kill him.
iii) Mt. 2:13-14. 13 And when they were departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I bring thee word: for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him. 14 When he arose, he took the young child and his mother by night, and departed into Egypt:
b. Herod, like so many even today, seeks ways to destroy The Christ living within the lives and hearts of the righteous.
i. Is your desire to seek The Christ to do the same?
ii. Is that why you attend assemblies of Christians to find dirt on them or to entice them to forsake Jesus? Thus, killing him as Herod sought to do?
As we see the different reasons for the desire to see Jesus, The Christ, in those of his day of birth, we see the same personalities rear their head for the same reasons, today. Those reasons are:
A. Because we study about The Christ and know what to expect, desiring salvation. (Wise men)
B. Curiosity brought us to The Christ and we found peace and joy in the Lord, thus becoming loyal, rejoicing and proclaiming the Great News of a Savior. (the Shepherds)
C. We believe upon physical death, as promised by God, we will see the coming Messiah in the clouds and join him in the great Wedding Feast–the marriage of The Christ to his bride, the church. (Simeon)
D. Believing that being a faithful servant under the Law of God, all men and women will see the Savior. (Anna)
E. Or, is jealousy and fear interrupting our lifestyle that will hinder us from our lusts of power, wealth and pleasure. (Herod)
I pray your desire to see The Christ is an honorable one. One to benefit from the Love of The Christ; not to destroy him.
If you desire to find The Christ and destroy him, I am afraid you are fighting a losing battle. In the end, your Master, Satan, will be destroyed and cast into the fiery lake which burns for eternity called Hell. And, you will be cast in with him according to scripture.
If, for the right reasons, you desire to see The Christ, believe on his name; confess your belief that Jesus is the son of God; realize you have iniquities laid at your charge, which only the blood of Jesus can cleanse, and repent openly of them; then be baptized for the removal of those sins; and, live faithfully, as did Anna, until physical death.
James 1:12. 12 Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.
The Apostle Paul said, …I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. 7 I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: 8 Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing. 2 Tim. 4:6-8
Desiring to see The Christ and living faithfully to himin full obedience, you will receive the Crown of Life.
