After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen in the east went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they were overjoyed.” On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. (Matthew 2:9-11a)
Can you imagine what that star looked like? I believe it suddenly appeared, it was brighter than all the others, and it was moving! It must have been a very significant discovery because it moved the wisemen to pack up, leave everything and travel a vast distance.
I am praying that this Christmas we all will be “stars” leading the people of Pakenham to find their personal Saviour and Lord! Let us learn from how God led the wisemen to worship in the presence of the Saviour of the world, so He can use us in the same way.
THE DISCOVERY
It is true that every human has a God-shaped hole in their heart that needs to be filled. Those who do not yet know Jesus are seeking to fill it with all manner of things. And it becomes most intense at Christmas time. Everyone longs to have; that gift, those relationships, and those holiday experiences that will make them truly “happy.” But after it is over, they are left with an arching sense that their deepest longings have not been satisfied. The good news is that when we feel the most empty, when everything seems darkest, God’s star shines the brightest.
When the wisemen saw the star, it gave them a real hope that moved them to go on a quest to find a king. I believe that authentic Christians are stars, leading to our Saviour. The Apostle Paul says it best when he writes; “Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe” (Philippians 2:14-15) We are called to allow God to work in us so that this treasure within, shines so brightly that others make the same discovery as those wisemen.
THE JOURNEY
Imagine what the wisemen were thinking and talking about as they followed the star such a long distance. “Could this be the discovery that changes everything?” “Will our lives never be the same again?” “Will our hopes and dreams come true?” They would have kept a close eye on that star. Marveling at its brightness. Watching it move. Seeing if anything changes. Excitedly waiting for it to lead them to their destination.
This is how we want people to be looking at us. The Apostle Peter instructs us to; “Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.” (1 Peter 2:12) We are called to live such good lives that we can say, “Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.” (1 Corinthians 11:1)
THE DESTINATION
Can you imagine how the wisemen felt when the star stopped over that house in Bethlehem? Matthew tells us they were overjoyed. In the original Greek that Matthew wrote in, it says; “they rejoiced with exceeding great joy.” They could not have been more filled with joy as they found their King. These proud wisemen fell down on a dirty floor, and worshipped baby Jesus. That’s not the way people normally react when they find a human king. The Holy Spirit opened their eyes to see who Jesus really is. God the Son, who has come to save all those who would believe in Him. We are called to joyfully worship our Saviour King in such a way that others can arrive at that destination. This side of the Cross our worship should be far greater, far more joy-filled than the wisemen on that first Christmas.
The gifts the wisemen gave to Jesus were nothing compared to the gift Jesus is to our World! We are to be a people who demonstrate that loud and clear. No gift the world can give will satisfy our need. May we all shine so brightly for Jesus this Christmas that all else appears as rubbish “compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord,” (Philippians 3:8)
We must believe that the whole world is longing for a star that will lead them to receive the new recreated heart that Jesus came to win for us. Let us commit to being the star-lights of the world.