December 26, 2020
Magi made Wiser – Matthew 2:12; Revelation 22:21
Dr. Larry S. Lightner
The grace of the Lord Jesus be with all. Amen –Revelation 22:21
Those are the encouraging words that conclude God’s Word to us. There are many recorded thoughts of people of the earth, none can match what the Bible records.
There is another stunning conclusion recorded in Matthew 2:12, and being warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed to their own country by another way.
It is a stunning response from the magi. They had been interviewed by Herod and he commanded them to return with a report so he could go and “worship.” That was not his purpose; his purpose was to find this child and kill him. He wanted no other to interfere with his kingship. But God interfered with a dream to the magi. They received the instruction to return via another way. What an interesting event. We cannot explore all the implications, but some will help us think through God’s impact and the magi responding.
So much prophecy had already come to fulfillment prior to the magi returning to their own country.
Another way
Instead of returning to Herod, the magi simply responded to God. God always expects us to listen to Him. We all respond. However, not all respond in the way God directs. The loss for not responding to God in the right way causes difficulty in life. However, the magi listened.
When God directs us to go a certain way it is extremely important. The implication is that those introduced to the Christ, come to worship Him, from that time forward will be different—specifically spiritually different. When we meet Christ our way of life will be different.
Magi made Wiser
Surely the magi were familiar with Micah 5:2, But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for Me One who is to be ruler in Israel, whose coming forth is from of old, from ancient days.
Although they came looking for a political king, they found the King of kings, and Lord of lords. They found the One who would later say to Pilate, Herod’s successor, Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would have been fighting, that I might not be delivered over to the Jews. But my kingdom is not from this world. You say that I am a king. For this purpose, I have come into the world—to bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice” John 18:36-37.
The Magi going a New Way
The Magi were profoundly changed. Have you taken time to look at the new life you live in Christ? Is it different, if not, is Jesus still calling you to let Him change your life forever? If you are still going along in life the same old way, you are in desperate need of a new path.
Many depend upon their own wisdom, or the “wisdom” of this world’s purported leaders. If a person just follows someone else’s philosophy, they will wind up doing what they have always done.
What Jesus desires is for everyone to come to Him, to be changed forever, to fulfill the plans and purposes God has for their life. God says that the wisdom of the world amounts to nothing. The Son of God reveals absolute truth—most of what the world calls truth is simply situational ethics and opinion.
Life Application
When we come to the cross, we find that our sin is covered by the blood of Christ’s sacrifice. In place of judgment we gain a fullness of God’s mercy and grace.
The Advent season is a wonderful time to trust in the person of Christ. Trust in the truth of His birth, sacrifice, and resurrection for our (your) sake.
Speak to one who has made their commitment to holy God. They will commend the way. It is another way, not the way of Herod and his ilk, but the way of those who have discovered the Christ. Jesus says that He is the way (John 14:6). He is the only way. It is a definite way. It is a perfect way. It is an assured way. It is a joyful way. It is the only way.
It is the way the magi came to find; the way they departed into a way of a changed life.
Prayer
- Thank God for His way that assures our relationship with Him; the perfect way—His way.
- Thank God for stepping into your life to cause you to be reborn as His child and to be effective in this world for Him.
