Star Trek
Matthew 2:1-2, 9-10
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“Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea 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. 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.
In this passage the wise men are coming to witness the birth of Jesus Christ by following a star that had risen in the east. Verse two says that their intention was to worship Him. It is important for us to realize that the wise men’s focus was not so much on following the star in the sky as it was on the Star Jesus Christ.
God’s Word gives us 256 names for the Lord. I believe this was because He was infinitely beyond all that any one name could express. In the Bible, Christ is referred to as a Star or the Light of the World. Numbers 24:17 first mentions this in prophecy: “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.”
We read something similar in the New Testament. Second Peter 1:19 tells us, “We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn and the day star arise in your hearts.” Jesus Christ is once again referenced as the Star in Revelation 22:16, “I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star.”
I am thankful today that while some people may be involved in astrology and following the stars in the heavens, I can worship the Lord Jesus Christ–the real Star of Heaven and Earth!
I want you to consider with me this Person of light. John 8:12 says, “Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.” Do you realize that the wise men were not seeking to worship the star or the angels; they were seeking the true light of Christmas–Jesus Christ? We read in Psalm 27:1, “The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The LORD is the strength of my life, of whom shall I be afraid?”
Jesus is the Light of the world. Without Him we would be lost in the darkness and hopelessness of sin. John 1:6-8 states, “There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe. He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light.”
I am sure the star in the sky was very exciting to the wise men, but Jesus the Star of Heaven was life-changing! Wouldn’t you like to experience the Light of Jesus? Accept Him as your Savior and experience the hope and joy of the Light of Christmas this season.
[above from Dr. Paul Chappell]
A STORY IS TOLD ABOUT A MAN WHO WAS A SHOEMAKER WHO HAD A LONGING DESIRE TO BE A MISSIONARY. EVERYONE WHO CAME INTO HIS SHOE SHOP HEARD ABOUT JESUS CHRIST.
ONE DAY HIS FRIEND TOOK HIM ASIDE AND SAID, "ALL THIS TALK ABOUT JESUS IS RUINING YOUR BUSINESS." THE MAN RESPONDED, "MY BUSINESS? MY BUSINESS IS TO EXTEND THE KINGDOM OF GOD. I ONLY COBBLE SHOES TO MEET EXPENSES.”
WHETHER YOU COBBLE SHOES, WORK AT WAL-MART, OR BECOME THE NEXT PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES YOU DON’T HAVE TO DO GREAT THINGS TO SHINE BRIGHT AS A STAR.
ALL YOU NEED TO DO IS JUST KEEP DOING THE LITTLE THINGS LIKE OUR SHOEMAKER DID WITH GREAT CONVICTION, GREAT WISDOM, GREAT BEAUTY AND GREAT LOVE.
THIS IS WHAT OUR SCRIPTURE REFERS TO AS PUTTING YOUR LIGHT ON A STAND TO LET IT SHINE FOR ALL TO SEE SO THEY WILL PRAISE AND GLORIFY GOD. IT’S TIME FOR US TO COME OUT FROM UNDERNEATH OUR BASKETS AND SHINE.
WE ARE CALLED TO BE THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD. JUST AS A LIGHTHOUSE USES ITS GLOWING BEAM TO GUIDE SHIPS TOWARDS SAFETY AND AWAY FROM DANGER, SO ARE WE TO USE THE LIGHT OF CHRIST TO GUIDE THE LOST TO THE SAFETY OF GOD AND AWAY FROM SIN’S DANGERS.
FOR INSTANCE, LIGHT WAS THE FIRST THING GOD CREATED. SOME OF THE FIRST WORDS RECORDED IN THE BIBLE ARE, “LET THERE BE LIGHT” (GENESIS 1:3).
John 12:35
Then Jesus said unto them, Yet a little while is the light with you. Walk while ye have the light, lest darkness come upon you: for he that walketh in darkness knoweth not whither he goeth.
Philip. 2:15
That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world;
Romans 13:12
The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light.
Ephes. 5:8
For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light:
THE WHOLE REASON FOR SO MUCH EMPHASIS ON “LIGHT” IS SIMPLY DUE TO THE FACT THAT WE ARE CONTINUALLY WAGING A BATTLE WITH THE FORCES OF DARKNESS.
THE ONLY WAY WE CAN WIN THE VICTORY OVER THIS DARKNESS IS THROUGH THE LIGHT THAT IS RECEIVED FROM JESUS CHRIST.
LIGHT CAME INTO THE WORLD NOT ONLY THROUGH THE CREATION OF A LITERAL “SUN” AND BUT ALSO THROUGH GOD’S SON JESUS CHRIST.
THE GOOD NEWS IS THAT THIS STORY OF THE SHINING STAR DOES NOT END WITH THE WISE MEN. THE ABILITY FOR THIS STAR TO CONTINUE SHINING IS NOW LEFT UP TO US.
YES, WE ARE TO SHINE LIKE THE LIGHT OF THE CHRISTMAS STAR! NEVER DIMINISHING, NEVER WAVERING. NO MATTER WHAT IS GOING ON AROUND US WE ARE TO SHINE AS A BEACON OF LIGHT TO THE WORLD!
WE MUST NEVER, EVER, LOSE OUR REFLECTIVE BRIGHTNESS OF THE CHRISTMAS STAR!
HOW DO WE BECOME THE LIGHT FOR THE WORLD TO SEE JESUS CHRIST? THERE ARE FIVE WAYS TO BE “L-I-G-H-T.” TO A LOST AND DYING WORLD:
L = LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF
I = IMITATE CHRIST
G = GET TO KNOW OTHERS
H = HOSPITALITY
T = TELL THEM ABOUT JESUS
[All Caps from Chaplain Charles Mallory, USAF]
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