What Made These Wise Men So Wise?

They were also wise enough to discount the emptiness of the King’s words. King Herod posed as a fellow "seeker" when he told them (Matthew 2:8) that when they found this Messiah that he would also come and worship. Fine sounding words but they came out of a heart of jealousy and hypocrisy. These wise men would be no part of it. They were on a mission and would not be sidetracked – not even by their counselor. God led these men away from the trap that was set for them; and God will direct you in your search, if you’ll ask Him. Will you? Not everyone giving spiritual counsel will give you the truth – and not everyone who gives you the truth is willing to live it themselves. You need discernment if you would be as wise as these men we meet in the pages of Matthew.

C. They Were Dependent In Their Search (Matthew 2:9). God did indeed direct these men (as he will you, if you ask him to) – but what a surprising place they were led to! It is one thing to start the search; it is something else to accept where the search leads.

1. They Would Not Be Side Tracked by Lust of the Flesh – self pleasure and ease was in the courts of Herod – Hardship and danger lay on the road to Bethlehem and their trip home hiding from the spies of the King (Matthew 2:12). Does God’s answer for you need to be soft and easy and pleasurable? Are you the kind of person who is always asking “what do I get out of this?" God’s leading may be difficult for you to accept.

2. They Would Not Be Side Tracked by Lust of the Eyes – They were wise enough to know the difference between reality and appearances. Christ did not look like a king – he looked like a poor Jewish boy from a poor Jewish family – but somehow they saw beyond the physical appearances to realize the Power and Presence of God. You may not fully understand God’s answer when it comes to you. It is not a matter of “figuring it out”. It may not quite look right. God’s ways are not man’s ways…nor are his thoughts man’s thoughts. But when God leads you to the verse or the passage that opens your soul to God – it is at that point you’ll need to decide whether to trust your “eyes”…or to trust the Word of God.

3. They Would Not Be Side Tracked by Pride of Life – They were grown men – accounted wise…and wealthy enough to invest the 2 years of their life in search for the Messiah…important enough to warrant an audience with a king…but they were humble enough to bow the knee to worship and recognize the greater glory of this little toddler standing before them. They were before God – and their little self glory melted away. Are you willing to submit your will to the will of God? In your spiritual search for meaning and purpose, do you really suppose God will let you “do it your way”? Are you prepared to do it God’s way? Because that is the only way that is going to work – the only way that will give your soul what it is really looking for. James 4:6 “God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble”.

III. They Were Wise In Their Devotion At The Conclusion Of their Search (Matthew 2:11)