Wise Men Still Seek Him

And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route. Matthew 2: 12

The story of the Wise Men who followed the star has always been a favorite Christmas story. Each year we hear the story, and we display their figures in Nativity Scenes that decorate our homes for the holidays. While treasure hunting in God’s Word, I read a profound statement that brought depth, greater understanding, and even challenged me concerning this story. The story goes like this:

 After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.”

When King Herod heard this, he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him.  When he had called together all the people’s chief priests and teachers of the law, he asked them where the Messiah was to be born.  “In Bethlehem in Judea,” they replied, “for this is what the prophet has written:

 “But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,
    are by no means least among the rulers of Judah;
for out of you will come a ruler
    who will shepherd my people Israel.”

 Then Herod called the Magi secretly and found out from them the exact time the star had appeared.  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.” 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.  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. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.  And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route.

The Wise Men had been searching for Jesus for quite some time, and their quest required great sacrifices. It required many hours and days of research, along with money and time for the long desert journey. It required hearts that desired to give the new King their very best and most costly gifts. All of these things they did willingly and hopefully. They wanted to meet the King of Kings.

Herod wasn’t even looking and had no idea that the very King the Wise Men were looking for was born only 6 miles from his palace. He feigned a desire to know him, but his real intention was to destroy Him.

Imagine the Wise Men’s joy at finally meeting the very one they had been searching for for such a long time. Real heartfelt worship. I would love to have been on the journey home with them as they shared their excitement. Not only had they met Christ, but God continued to direct their path by revealing to them in a dream that they were to go home by a different route.

The truth nugget that I read concerning this story was: “Encountering Christ will change the direction of your life.” Can I just say, “Thank you, Lord!” “I will never be the same again!”

Following Christ will require many things from us as well, but it’s worth everything we have to give. It’s worth early morning devotional and prayer time. It’s worth obeying, especially when we would rather follow our own desires. It’s worth giving everything we have for Him. He is worth it!

My prayer is that you would think about the direction your life has taken since encountering Christ. Can you see a marked difference? If not, perhaps you need to ask yourself if you have truly encountered Him, and if not, today is the day! Don’t wait. Make that decision today to seek Him.