Seeking Christ: Lessons from the Wise Men

 

Summary

The Christmas season is a time of reflection and celebration, reminding us of the birth of Jesus, the Savior we all need. As we gather to celebrate, we often find ourselves identifying with various Christmas characters, from the enthusiastic Buddy the Elf to the more reserved Grinch. Yet, the story of Christmas is ultimately about the birth of Jesus, a story that is life-changing and filled with hope for all humanity. This year, the wise men, or magi, stood out to me as I revisited the story of Jesus' birth. These mysterious figures, often depicted in nativity scenes, were not present at the actual nativity but arrived later, guided by a star. Their journey and actions offer profound lessons for us today.

The wise men, experts in astrology and possibly influenced by Jewish prophecies, saw a star that led them to Jesus. Their journey was long and arduous, yet they were ready to move when God revealed the path. This readiness to act upon God's revelation is a powerful reminder for us to be open and responsive to God's guidance in our lives. The wise men also exemplified faith, trusting that their journey would lead them to the King of the Jews. Despite the challenges and uncertainties, they faithfully followed the star, demonstrating the importance of perseverance in our spiritual journeys.

Upon finding Jesus, the wise men worshipped Him wholeheartedly, offering gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Their actions challenge us to consider how we worship God today, using our time, talents, and resources to honor Him. Worship should be an integral part of our lives, reflecting our gratitude for the salvation Jesus offers. Furthermore, the wise men trusted in God's care, as evidenced by their decision to return home by another route after being warned in a dream. This trust in God's protection encourages us to seek His kingdom first, knowing that He will provide for us.

Ultimately, the wise men are not celebrated for their wisdom or gifts but for their pursuit of Christ. Their story reminds us that true wisdom comes from seeking Jesus and embracing the truth of His birth, death, and resurrection. As we enter this Christmas season and the new year, let us strive to seek God wholeheartedly, allowing His truth to guide us and transform us into wise men and women.

Key Takeaways:

1. Be Ready to Move: The wise men were prepared to act when God revealed the path to them. This readiness to move is a reminder for us to be open and responsive to God's guidance in our lives, willing to step out in faith when He calls us. [12:20]

2. Faithful Following: Despite the uncertainties and challenges, the wise men faithfully followed the star to Jesus. Their perseverance teaches us the importance of trusting God's plan and remaining steadfast in our spiritual journeys, even when the path is unclear. [14:01]

3. Wholehearted Worship: The wise men worshipped Jesus with their gifts, challenging us to consider how we use our time, talents, and resources to honor God. Worship should be a central part of our lives, reflecting our gratitude for the salvation Jesus offers. [17:20]

4. Trust in God's Care: The wise men's trust in God's protection, as they returned home by another route, encourages us to seek His kingdom first, knowing that He will provide for us. Trusting in God's care allows us to pursue His will with confidence. [19:08]

5. Pursuit of Christ: The wise men are celebrated not for their wisdom or gifts but for their pursuit of Christ. Their story reminds us that true wisdom comes from seeking Jesus and embracing the truth of His birth, death, and resurrection. [23:03]

Youtube Chapters:

[00:00] - Welcome
[02:21] - Christmas Characters
[03:46] - The Wise Men in Matthew 2
[04:45] - The Journey of the Wise Men
[06:19] - Misconceptions About the Wise Men
[08:42] - Science and Faith
[11:33] - The Star and Prophecies
[12:20] - Ready to Move
[13:10] - Faithful Following
[14:01] - The Cost of Following Christ
[17:20] - Wholehearted Worship
[18:13] - Gifts and Talents
[19:08] - Trusting God's Care
[23:03] - Pursuit of Christ

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
- Matthew 2:1-12

Observation Questions:
1. What motivated the wise men to begin their journey to find Jesus, according to Matthew 2:1-2? [03:46]
2. How did the wise men respond when they found Jesus, and what gifts did they offer Him? [04:45]
3. What was the significance of the wise men's decision to return home by another route after being warned in a dream? [19:08]

Interpretation Questions:
1. What does the journey of the wise men teach about the importance of being ready to move when God reveals a path? [12:20]
2. How does the perseverance of the wise men in following the star reflect the challenges and uncertainties in our spiritual journeys? [14:01]
3. In what ways does the worship of the wise men challenge contemporary believers to consider how they use their time, talents, and resources to honor God? [17:20]

Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you felt God was revealing a path to you. How did you respond, and what might you do differently in the future to be more open and responsive? [12:20]
2. Consider the uncertainties and challenges you face in your spiritual journey. How can the example of the wise men's perseverance encourage you to remain steadfast? [14:01]
3. Evaluate how you currently worship God with your time, talents, and resources. What changes can you make to ensure that worship is a central part of your life? [17:20]
4. The wise men trusted in God's care and protection. How can you cultivate a deeper trust in God's provision in your own life, especially when facing difficult decisions? [19:08]
5. The wise men are celebrated for their pursuit of Christ. What steps can you take this Christmas season to seek Jesus more wholeheartedly and allow His truth to guide you? [23:03]
6. Identify a specific area in your life where you need to seek God's kingdom first. What practical steps can you take this week to prioritize His will over your own desires? [19:08]
7. Reflect on the gifts you have been given by God. How can you use these gifts to serve others and glorify God in your daily life? [18:13]

Devotional

Day 1: Readiness to Act on Divine Guidance
The wise men exemplified a readiness to act when God revealed the path to them. Their journey, guided by a star, was not only a physical one but also a spiritual quest that required openness and responsiveness to divine guidance. This readiness to move is a powerful reminder for us to be open and responsive to God's guidance in our lives, willing to step out in faith when He calls us. The wise men did not hesitate to embark on their journey, despite the uncertainties and challenges they might face. Their example encourages us to cultivate a heart that is prepared to act when God reveals His will to us, trusting that He will lead us to where we need to be. [12:20]

Isaiah 30:21 (ESV): "And your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, 'This is the way, walk in it,' when you turn to the right or when you turn to the left."

Reflection: Is there a specific area in your life where you feel God is prompting you to take action? What steps can you take today to respond to His guidance with readiness and faith?


Day 2: Perseverance in Faith
The journey of the wise men was marked by perseverance and faith. Despite the uncertainties and challenges, they faithfully followed the star to Jesus, demonstrating the importance of trusting God's plan and remaining steadfast in our spiritual journeys. Their perseverance teaches us that faith is not always about having all the answers but about trusting in God's promises and being willing to follow His lead, even when the path is unclear. The wise men's journey was long and arduous, yet they remained committed to their quest, knowing that it would lead them to the King of the Jews. This teaches us the value of perseverance in our own spiritual journeys, encouraging us to remain faithful and steadfast, even when the road ahead seems uncertain. [14:01]

Hebrews 10:36 (ESV): "For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God you may receive what is promised."

Reflection: What is one area of your spiritual journey where you feel challenged to persevere? How can you remind yourself of God's promises and remain steadfast in your faith today?


Day 3: Worship as a Lifestyle
The wise men worshipped Jesus with their gifts, challenging us to consider how we use our time, talents, and resources to honor God. Worship should be a central part of our lives, reflecting our gratitude for the salvation Jesus offers. The wise men's act of worship was not just about the gifts they brought but about the posture of their hearts. They recognized Jesus as the King and responded with reverence and adoration. This challenges us to examine our own lives and consider how we can make worship a lifestyle, using our time, talents, and resources to honor God in all that we do. Worship is not confined to a specific time or place but is an ongoing expression of our love and gratitude for who God is and what He has done for us. [17:20]

Romans 12:1 (ESV): "I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship."

Reflection: In what ways can you incorporate worship into your daily life beyond Sunday services? How can you use your unique gifts and talents to honor God today?


Day 4: Trusting in God's Protection
The wise men's trust in God's protection, as they returned home by another route after being warned in a dream, encourages us to seek His kingdom first, knowing that He will provide for us. Their decision to trust in God's care and take a different path home demonstrates their reliance on His guidance and protection. This trust in God's care allows us to pursue His will with confidence, knowing that He is with us every step of the way. The wise men's story reminds us that when we seek God's kingdom first, He will provide for our needs and protect us from harm. This encourages us to place our trust in Him, even when the path ahead seems uncertain or risky. [19:08]

Psalm 32:8 (ESV): "I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you."

Reflection: Is there a situation in your life where you need to trust in God's protection and guidance? How can you seek His kingdom first and rely on His care today?


Day 5: The Pursuit of Christ
The wise men are celebrated not for their wisdom or gifts but for their pursuit of Christ. Their story reminds us that true wisdom comes from seeking Jesus and embracing the truth of His birth, death, and resurrection. The wise men's journey was ultimately about finding and worshipping Jesus, the Savior of the world. This pursuit of Christ is what sets them apart and serves as an example for us to follow. In our own lives, we are called to seek Jesus wholeheartedly, allowing His truth to guide us and transform us into wise men and women. The pursuit of Christ is a lifelong journey that requires dedication, faith, and a willingness to embrace the truth of who He is and what He has done for us. [23:03]

Colossians 2:2-3 (ESV): "That their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, to reach all the riches of full assurance of understanding and the knowledge of God's mystery, which is Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge."

Reflection: What steps can you take to pursue Christ more intentionally in your daily life? How can you allow His truth to guide and transform you today?

Quotes

The wise men, a.k.a. the magi, and tonight I want to explore them. I want to just look into who are the wise men, because they're a little mysterious in certain ways. So the text we're going to be in tonight is Matthew 2. If you want to go ahead and turn to your Bibles, Matthew 2. We're going to read some of this together. [00:03:46] (20 seconds)


Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem, saying, Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose, and have come to worship him. But Herod the king heard this, and he was troubled, and all of Jerusalem with him. [00:04:50] (24 seconds)


They probably didn't show up until two or three years later. But people are always quick to say, oh, they weren't actually there. And yeah, that might be right. Then also something we also assume is that there's three of them. We assume that there's three wise men because there were three gifts given, gold, frankincense, and myrrh. [00:06:41] (18 seconds)


So we know that they studied astrology, because that's what led them to Christ. A star in the sky something about this star was incredible enough to where they showed up to king Herod and said hey we know a king was born we know he will be king of the Jews how we know that we're not entirely sure but they saw a star. [00:08:42] (23 seconds)


We need to be ready to move. God revealed the path, and they went. We don't know all the details that went into this. Some say it took over two years for them to get to Jesus. We don't know if that took them two years on their journey or if it took them two years to figure out what the message in the star was. [00:12:20] (21 seconds)


We don't know how far these men went. But what they were doing is they were studying God's creation and they saw a sign. They were studying what God had given them and they went. They acted upon what God showed them. God revealed the path they followed. They said, hey, God is doing something. There's something there and we got to go. [00:13:10] (24 seconds)


The second thing is in this moving and chasing after that star they have to have faith they have to have faith in whatever God is leading them to this king that this is where God's taking them that he's going to protect them so that's the first one we need to be ready to move and then we need to faithfully follow we need to faithfully follow where God takes us. [00:14:01] (23 seconds)


Thirdly, are we going to worship him wholeheartedly? Are we going to worship him wholeheartedly? In Matthew 2 .11, it says this, And going into the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshipped him. Then they opened their treasures, offered him gifts, gold, frankincense, and myrrh. However, how are we worshipping God today? [00:16:51] (29 seconds)


fourthly what the wise men remind us so we need to trust god's care we need to trust his hand over us in verse 12 after this incredibly long journey we don't know how far they went we don't know everything they experienced but verse 12 shows us that god protected them and be returned to herod they departed to their own country by another way by another way the promise of god our protection god will protect us whether that's in this life or the next god will keep his promises. [00:19:08] (41 seconds)


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Transcript
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