A traditional nativity scene includes three wise men. However, these men did not arrive from present-day Iraq until Jesus was two years old living in a house. These wise men or also called Magi followed the star for many miles. Their detour to Jerusalem is a prime example of how we can ignore God’s leading by taking matters into her own hands. They stopped following the stars and instead went to the palace where King Herod resided.
He was a very wicked, cruel, and murderous royal. He was so insecure that he actually killed some of his own family to avoid his throne being threatened. When he was told that Jesus was probably living in Bethlehem, he tried to deceive the men from Iraq by telling them he wanted also to worship Jesus. Naturally, this was a lie. When the wisemen did not return to him, he was furious and ordered the murder of all infants two years and under. With this horrendous event we can learn that even the wicked are capable of confirming to us Christmas’ truths. Here is an outline of what Herod inadvertently revealed as lessons to us today.
There will always be a king in your life. That king may not wear royal robes or sit on a throne but whatever is most important to you in your life is your king. If it distracts you from serving God or is a substitute for God, it is sinful.
There can only be one king in your life. Jesus said that we can only serve God or Mammon. We cannot serve both. Too many people think that in a religious sense of the word they can straddle the fence claiming to be Christians while at the same time being involved in questionable behavior that will ultimately be judged by God.
Jesus can be found by those who seek him. Not only did the wise men seek Jesus, two years earlier an angel told the shepherds to seek him. The miracle was that they did find Jesus asleep in a feed trough were Mary laid him. Both the Magi and the shepherds found Jesus because they wanted to worship him. The question for each of us is to ask if we are seeking to find him.
Herod inquired of the priests in his court where it was prophesied that Jesus would be born. They referred to the Scripture that said his location was Bethlehem. That was a prophecy that was fulfilled that first Christmas. It was an Old Testament prophecy that became a basis in the New Testament where the wisemen would go to find Jesus. If we allow the Bible to be our guide, God’s word will never let us down.
The example of wisemen is true for us today. There are those professing Christians among us who are satisfied with minimal service to God. On the other hand, there are those Christians who seek to follow a star in their lives. It may not be a heavenly star. It may be the advice of close believers. It may be the result of circumstances. For spiritual growth, this example is an encouragement that we seek a star in our lives to follow.
Herod said to the wisemen that he wanted to also worship Jesus. Of course, he lied, but the fact is we all worship by instinct and desire. Worship is built into our DNA that we would seek the divine blessing and direction. Even though Herod did not truly want to worship Jesus, the fact still remains that if we are wise, we will faithfully seek to worship Christ.
Christian Writer 