How Do You Find God?

Matthew 2:7-12

Then Herod called the Magi secretly and found out from them the exact time the star had appeared. 8 He sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search carefully for the child. As soon as you find him, report to me, so that I too may go and worship him.”

9 After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen when it rose went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. 10 When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. 11 On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.12 And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route.

Today's story in Matthew begins his narrative on the birth of Christ.  One of the stories specific to Matthew is the story of the wise men following the star to the manger in Bethlehem.  What is important is they were on a search for what they knew to be the "king of the Jews".  Of course, when they got to Jerusalem and told ruthless King Herod, he immediately wanted information about this newborn king.  We hear his deceitful words, "Go and search carefully for the child. As soon as you find him report it to me so I can worship him."  

We later learn of his true motive, when he realizes he had been tricked by the Magi and has all boys under the age of two in Bethelem killed.  Doesn't sound like he wanted to worship Jesus, the newborn king of the Jews.

What is significant for Matthew is that these were foreign kings, who came to worship and give gifts to the newborn king.  Most conclude they were astrologers from the area of Persia in the east. Though they might not have realized the full extent of who they were worshipping when they found baby Jesus in a manger, Matthew's story has a point to make.  Here you have the king of the Jews wanting to kill Jesus.  Herod, if he was really an observant Jew, would have known his kingship was only temporary. He was called by God to serve his people, using God's law as a guide.  He should known from the prophet Micah the Messiah would be born in Bethlehem. And from Isaiah, that he would be born to a virgin.  But Herod was not interested in the scripture, he was interested only in his own power and holding on to it.  He was known to even have killed his own family because of his paranoia and power lust. 

Then, you have the Persian kings.  They followed the star by faith.  They brought gifts befitting of a king.  When they saw the star they were overjoyed.  When they found Jesus just as had been foretold, they bowed down and worshipped him even as a baby.  So here is the irony in the story. The foreign astrologers worshipped and gave gift to the newborn king, and Jesus' own people's king wanted to kill him.  What a portent of what was to come.  

I think we can learn three things from the Magi.

1. They followed the star.  This was the revelation and knowledge God gave  them, and they were obedient and got up to go after and learn what it might lead them to.

2. They were prepared to give gifts to the newborn king. They fully expected to find the king of the Jews and wanted to make sure their gifts were befitting of him. 

3. They were overjoyed when they found him just as it had been told. Their faith and preparedness brought them true joy, which caused them to worship Jesus and give him their gifts.  

So a question you might ask yourself as you begin a new year is:

Where is God leading me? Will I follow Jesus like the Magi followed the star? 

I am prepared to bring my gifts and offer them to Jesus.  Gifts (spiritual gifts) befitting of a king.  Will I give Jesus my best offering?

We have the promise that when we search we will find.  We will find Jesus in our daily lives. We will find abundant life as we offer Jesus our best gifts to use for his glory. We will find joy as we discover the newborn Savior who now sits at the right hand of God and will come back in great power some day.    

Let's be like the wise men and follow that star that leads us back to Jesus every day!