Wise Men, Women And Children Still Seek Jesus

One of my Christmas presents was a book: ‘A Bundle of Laughs’ by J. John & Mark Stibbe. Towards the end of the book comes their light-hearted ‘20 Rules of Wisdom’. Don’t worry; I’m only going to read four!

1.God wants spiritual fruit, not religious nuts!

2.Growing old is inevitable, growing up is optional.

3.Do the maths! Count your blessings!

4.The important things in your home are the people.

In the 19th century the Baptist preacher Charles Spurgeon (1834-1892) said this: “Wisdom is the right use of knowledge. To know is not to be wise… [The greatest fool is] the knowing fool. But to know how to use knowledge is to have wisdom.”

20 years ago I saw a sticker in the back window of a car. It said, “Wise men sought Jesus. They still do.” Wise men, women and children still seek Jesus.

The Wise Men were wise because they used their knowledge. If I were to read all of the books in Billericay library and then fail to use that knowledge I would not be a wise man. If I learn all of the theory there is to learn about my computer and then never plug it in what a waste that would be!

The Wise Men were wise because they used their knowledge. They looked and saw a star in the east (2:2) and they understood that something really special was happening. We can’t be exactly sure what the star was but scientists tell us that in about 7 BC Jupiter and Saturn lined up in a way that would have produced a very bright light in the night sky. Bishop Tom Wright (Matthew for Everyone, p.10) tells us that 2000 years ago Jupiter was thought of as a royal or kingly planet. Saturn was sometimes thought to represent the Jews; so the conclusion was obvious: A new King of the Jews was about to be born. The Wise Men were wise because they used their knowledge.

Does all of this mean we should look to the stars? No, the wise-men came to worship Jesus, and God’s word The Bible (Isaiah 47: 13-15) warns us that astrology cannot save us. When the wise men found Jesus they were overwhelmed with joy (Mt 2: 10-11). They bowed down and worshipped him. In our worship is there joy? Do we give to Jesus his worth-ship?

Wise men sought Jesus. They still do; and the Bible has much to say about wisdom! The Old Testament book of Proverbs is a great example.

“Blessed is the man who finds wisdom, the man who gains understanding, for she is more profitable than silver and yields better returns than gold. She is more precious than rubies; nothing you desire can compare with her” (Proverbs 3:13). In Proverbs the wisdom of God calls to us a bit like a wise grandmother giving us advice. Are you putting your knowledge of Jesus into action?

God says, “Now then my sons, listen to me; blessed are those who keep my ways. Listen to my instruction and be wise; do not ignore it. Blessed is the man who listens to me, watching daily at my doors, waiting at my doorway. For whoever finds me finds life and receives favour from the Lord” (Proverbs 8: 32-35).

Blessed is the one who keeps God’s ways, and blessed is the one who listens, watches and waits. Back to those words of Charles Spurgeon: “to know how to use knowledge is to have wisdom.”

Wise men sought Jesus. They brought gold because they knew Jesus would be a king. They brought incense because they knew Jesus would be a priest – reconciling men and women to God; and they brought myrrh. In their wisdom the gift of myrrh – used for embalming - pointed to the sacrifice of Jesus upon the cross. Wise men sought Jesus. Wise men, women and children seek and worship Jesus today. Amen.