The Journey Of The Wise Man!

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