Sermon Snippet –More People That You Should Know
INTRODUCTION – The Christmas story does not end with the birth of God the Son, Jesus Christ (although, of course, that is the focal point of the entire narrative). In Matthew 2:1-12, we find the important account of the arrival of the wise men after Christmas (for Jesus was no longer in a stable but in a “house” – verse 11). Tradition has numbered them at three and has named them Balthasar, Melchior, and Caspar (the friendly wise man, as I call him), but we do not know their number nor their names. God certainly does.
1. THE WISE MEN REMIND US OF THE SOVEREIGNTY OF GOD
Far from Israel, the center of the Christmas story, God was at work in the lives of these “wise men from the east” (verse 1). They probably lived in what today is Iran, hundreds of miles from Jerusalem and Bethlehem. I find great comfort in the fact that God is at work right now in churches and in individual lives around the world. We see a very narrow slice of life. What we observe there must be multiplied by a larger factor before we can even begin to contemplate the sovereignty of God. As a heavenly hymn rejoices, “Alleluia: for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth” (Revelation 19:6b).
2. THE WISE MEN INSTRUCT US IN THE POWER OF THE WORD OF GOD
How did these scholars know that this “star” was associated with the Savior, the “King of the Jews” (verse 2)? Centuries before, the Jewish people went into captivity in Persia (today’s Iraq and Iran), for God was curing them of their great idolatry (as well as their disregard for the poor). These Israelites chose to worship God while they were captives, and they carried with them much of the Old Testament, including Numbers 24:17a-b: “I shall see Him, but not now: I shall behold Him, but not nigh: there shall come a Star out of Jacob, and a Sceptre shall rise out of Israel.” For most of us, Numbers is not our favorite book of the Bible. However, God used this precise prophecy to speak to these learned men. It is no surprise that the One Who is called “the Word” (John 1:1, 14) spoke their academic language; what is surprising is that they listened so intently.
3. THE WISE MEN POINT US TO THE LIGHT OF GOD
These wise men were students of the sky – actual astronomers – and recognized the unusual nature of “His star” (not merely “a star” or even “the star”). Isaiah 9:2 prophesied, “The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined.” Jesus, “the Light of the world” (John 8:12), fulfills this prophecy. In Romans 10:14-15, the Apostle Paul raised the question of those who have not heard the Gospel message. His own conversion in Acts 9:1-6 is a personal answer, pointing us to “a light from heaven” (verse 3) that drew him to the truth. John 6:44 is God’s promise to continue to “draw” people to Himself.
4. THE WISE MEN TEACH US OF THE NECESSITY OF A RESPONSE
The travels of these scholars required effort – ongoing effort. Their fortitude before Herod, their lavish worship of Jesus, and their immediate action when they were “warned of God in a dream” (verse 12) all indicate that each one of us must respond to the call of God.
CONCLUSION – Each one of us needs to call upon Jesus as Savior. Certainly our pride can get in the way of salvation. Romans 12:16c warns, “Be not wise in your own conceit.” I Corinthians 1:26 states, “For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called” – that is not many of the world’s elites respond to Jesus’ offer of eternal life. However, the example of the wise men demonstrates that anyone can receive Jesus’ gift of heavenly salvation. May each of us trust in Him today.