The Wise Men And The Star

Text:  Mathew 2:9-11

⁹ ‍When they had heard the king, they departed; and, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was.‍ ¹⁰ ‍When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy.‍ ¹¹ ‍And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented‍^b‍ unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh. ‍^[1]

In the day of small things when God’s kingdom is denied the many physical comforts of earthly entertainment, His honor is hidden away with the things which are less desirable, but where Jesus Christ is, His presence is still honorable regardless.  Though the Messiah of all time and eternity was just a baby in our text, he was still King of Kings, and even though he was born in a rugged environment among oxen, He is still distinguished by His star.

If wise men of ancient days came to worship Jesus, then should we think it strange that people today would do the same?

My desire is that we all would be fervent worshippers of Him now and always.

For those of us who have been worshipping Pentecostals for a long time, God’s will is that our worship would be with greater humility and even more intense love.

I pray that God would draw those among us who are far off spiritually, and that they would ask, “Where is He that is born King of the Jews, for we have come to worship Him.”

My prayer is that feet that have been accustomed to broad roads, but unaccustomed to the straight and narrow path, begin to pursue that way until they see Jesus, and when pursuing Him with all the heart and soul, may be born again of the water and the Spirit.

These wise men came by natural means, traversing the desert, but let us come spiritually, leaving our sins behind us.

These wise men were guided by the sight of a star, so we must be guided by faith in the Holy Ghost, by the direction of His word, and by His true prophets.  The desire is to come into genuine fellowship with the Lord.

It was very good that the wise men came to Jesus, led by the beams of a star.  You will find it even more blessed to come to Him now that He is exalted in the highest Heavens, and by His own light He reveals His own glory and strength.

Don’t delay to come to Him.  Jesus makes this offer:  “Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”

I don’t know of any diligent person who doesn’t need rest.  This is more than just physical rest here.  Jesus is also speaking about rest from a life of sin and burdens.

We must do 3 things:

1:  Gather light from this star

2. Gather wisdom from the wise men

3. We must act as wise men helped by our own star, the Holy Ghost.

We must gather light from this star with the help of the Lord.  This star that led these wise men seems to have been somewhat supernatural as it was such that it guided them.  This star was different because it moved as God told it to move.  It could not have been just as all of the other stars because it is not possible that normal stars behave like this one did.

This star must have been in a different and much lower sphere than normal stars because the star was so specific in its shining strength as to shine over where the young child was, which was Bethlehem.  So this star was like a luminous appearance that God put in mid air, probably akin to the pillar of fire that led the children of Israel through the wilderness during the night.

Could it be that this star was so bright that it could even be seen in the day, the Lord only knows.  This one thing we do know that it was clear and it left no doubt for these wise men.

We must gather wisdom from these wise men:

These wise men were called Magi, wise men from the east:

Notice that they did not spend their time comparing this star to other stars, and then doubting if it could be from the Lord, they just obeyed the command of God.

The text gives us a clear understanding that these men did not waste their time, but they practically used the teaching of the star.

Many people are hearers and observers of God’s servants, but they are not wise enough to make fit and proper use of the preaching.  Applying the preaching and teaching of the Word of God to our lives requires diligent discipline.

These men were wise in that they did not become star-gazers, but they were after one single goal:  they wanted to get to the new born King!

This would be a great time for some who have held back from devoting totally to Him to make that step of complete surrender.  These wise men set out as soon as they discovered the star.  They wasted no time.

I have found it to be true that the longer a person holds back from coming to God, the harder it is to take that step, simply because the heart grow callus to the call.

These wise men persevered in their search for Him until they found Him.  That is exactly how we also must approach Him!

We don’t know exactly how far these men journeyed.  Traveling was extremely difficult in those days.  There were hostile tribes to avoid, there were the broad rivers of the Tigris and the Euphrates to cross, and the trackless deserts to penetrate, but they thought nothing of the cost they might have to pay to get to the new-born king.

They set out for Jerusalem, and to Jerusalem they came, seeking the King of the Jews. If it be true that God has taken upon himself our nature, we ought to resolve to find him, let it cost what it may. If we must circumnavigate the globe to find a Savior, the distance and the expense ought to be nothing so long as we may but reach him.

Everything that was necessary for their expedition the wise men soon gathered together, regardless of expense; and off they went following the star that they might discover the Prince of the kings of the earth.

Notice that they were wise because, when they again saw the star, “they rejoiced with exceeding great joy.” While enquiring among the priests at Jerusalem they were perplexed, but when the star shone out again, they were at ease and full of joy: this joy they expressed, so that the evangelist recorded it. In these days very wise people think it necessary to repress all emotion, and appear like men of stone or ice. No matter what happens, they are stoical, and raised far above the enthusiasm of any conversation.

These wise men were children enough to be glad when their perplexity was over, and the clear light shone forth. It is a good sign when a man is not ashamed to be happy because he hears a plain, unmistakable testimony for the Lord Jesus. It is good to see the great man come down from his pedestal, and, like a little child, rejoice to hear the simple story of the cross. Give me the hearer who looks not for fineries, but cries out, “Lead me to Jesus. I want a guide to Jesus, and nothing else will suit me.”

Now follow these wise men a little further. They have come to the house where the young child is. What will they do? Will they stand looking at the star? No: they enter in. The star stands still, but they are not afraid to lose its radiance, and behold the Sun of righteousness. They did not cry, “We see the star, and that is enough for us; we have followed the star, and it is all we need to do.”  Not at all. They lift, the latch, and enter the lowly residence of the babe. They see the star no longer, and they have no need to see it, for there is he that is born King of the Jews. Now the true Light has shone upon them from the face of the child; they behold the incarnate God. Oh, friends! How wise you will be if, when you have been led to Christ by any man, you do not rest in his leadership, but must see Christ for yourselves. How much I long that you may enter into the fellowship of the mystery, pass through the door, and come and behold the young child, and bow before him.

These men were wise, last of all—because when they saw the child they worshipped. Theirs was not curiosity gratified, but devotion exercised. We, too, must worship the Savior, or we will never be saved by him. He has not come to put away our sins, and yet to leave us ungodly and self-willed.  To anyone who may not see the value in worship and that have never truly worshipped the Lord, they don‘t know what peace and joy they are missing out on! I pray they be led to worship as these wise men were.

Closing and altar call:  He is God over all, blessed for ever, adore him! Was God ever seen in such a worshipful form before? Behold he bows the heavens; he rides upon the wings of the wind; he scatters flames of fire; he speaks, and his dread artillery shakes the hills: seeing God in this Old Testament state might cause some to worship in terror. Who would not adore the great and terrible Jehovah? But is it not much better to behold him here, allied to your nature, wrapped like other children in swaddling clothes, tender, feeble, next akin to your own self? Will you not worship God when he comes down to you and becomes your brother, born for your salvation? Here nature itself suggests worship:  May grace produce it! We must hasten to worship where shepherds and wise men and angels have led the way.  There can’t be a more perfect place than right here, right now, in this place and at this altar.