ARE YOU FOLLOWING HIS STAR?

"Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the east, and are come to worship Him." Matt. 2:1, 2.

Although this ancient story of the star of Bethlehem, so familiar and traditionally repeated each year, is probably the most well known story in connection with the birth of Jesus, Matthew is the only New Testament writer who refers to it. The rest of the New Testament is silent regarding this supernatural event filled with so much beauty, wonder and adoration. Who were these "Wise Men from the East" and how did they find out about the birth of Jesus? What had led them to make such a long journey? What relevance does their story have for us today? And what does it mean to "Follow His Star?"

First of all, the Wise men did not arrive in Jerusalem until two years after Jesus was born. Joseph and Mary were still in Bethlehem. No doubt Joseph found some work locally to provide food and shelter because Matt. 2:11 says: "And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary His mother, and fell down, and worshiped Him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto Him gifts: gold, and frankincense, and myrrh."

When the angels appeared to the shepherds two years before, Joseph, Mary and Jesus were in a stable of some kind because there was no room in the Inn. They found Jesus lying in a manger. The message of the "angel host" was "Glory to God (i.e. give glory to God, as in Rev. 14:6-12) in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men." Luke 2:13, 14.

Let us analyze those words for a moment for this is a message about God's character. "Give glory to God" is a command to assign to the Creator His true character of love. "In the highest," indicating this is the God of all Gods, above all principalities and powers in the universe. Furthermore, this God has not come to make war or punish anyone but to "bring peace," as Isaiah 9:6 predicted He would be called "The Prince of Peace," who comes only with "Good will toward men or mankind."

This is very significant because throughout the Old Testament the "God" who gets top billing and makes most of the headlines is not a "peaceful" being but a "God of war" out to destroy all of his enemies and severely punish anyone who dares question his authority. Even Moses thought of God like this, Ex:32. So, the birth of Jesus comes with the announcement that He is on a mission of peace and has only "good will" toward the human race. No doubt Joseph and Mary told the Wise men about these events and the angels words. In order to answer the questions I posed earlier let me quote from the most famous book on the life of Christ.

"The light of God is ever shining amid the darkness of heathenism. As these magi studied the starry heavens, and sought to fathom the mystery hidden in their bright paths, they beheld the glory of the Creator. Seeking clearer knowledge, they turned to the Hebrew Scriptures. In their own land were treasured prophetic writings that predicted the coming of a divine teacher. Balaam belonged to the magicians, though at one time a prophet of God; by the Holy Spirit he had foretold the prosperity of Israel and the appearing of the Messiah; and his prophecies had been handed down by tradition from century to century. But in the Old Testament the Saviour's advent was more clearly revealed. The magi learned with joy that His coming was near, and the whole world was to be filled with a knowledge of the glory of the Lord. The wise men had seen a mysterious light in the heavens upon that night when the glory of God flooded the hills of Bethlehem. As the light faded, a luminous star appeared, and lingered in the sky. It was not a fixed star nor a planet, and the phenomenon excited the keenest interest. That star was a distant company of shining angels, but of this the wise men were ignorant. Yet they were impressed that the star was of special import to them. They consulted priests and philosophers, and searched the scrolls of the ancient records. The prophecy of Balaam had declared 'There shall come a star out of Jacob, and a scepter shall arise out of Israel.' Could this strange star have been sent as a harbinger of the Promised One? The magi had welcomed the light of heaven-sent truth; now it was shed upon them in brighter rays. Through dreams they were instructed to go in search of the new-born prince." "Desire of Ages," pages 59, 60.

We are told further that the star that guided them finally came to rest upon the temple in Jerusalem and then after a season faded from their view. Of course, they went to the temple only to learn that no one even knew about the birth of their newborn king. Their questions were not met with joy but with "surprise and fear, not unmingled with contempt." Ibid. 61. They found the priests rehearsing their traditions. They are looked upon as heathen. Although no sympathy is expressed for their long journey to find the Christ-child--the news of their arrival quickly spreads through the city. Herod fearing a conspiracy to dethrone him calls for the chief priests and Scribes to tell him what the Scriptures say. With indifference they turned to the scrolls. Herod is enraged, thinking they are part of the conspiracy to conceal the matter. Finally, they quoted Micah 5:2 pinpointing Behlehem as Jesus' birthplace. Next, Herod invited the magi to a private interview to find out when the star first appeared so as to determine how old the child would be at that time. Of course, we know the rest of the story. The star continued to guide them on to Bethlehem where they found the young child (now about two years old). They fell down to worship him in the house and gave their costly gifts of "gold, and frankincense, and myrrh." But they did not return to inform Herod of their success. "And being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way." Matt. 2:12. When the Wise Men never returned Herod realized they purposely avoided him. He then sent soldiers to Bethlehem to destroy all the children two years and under. v. 16-18.

Like the wise men of old each of us are following His star even though we may not realize it anymore than Cyrus realized God had chosen him. "Cyrus, I call you by name, and I give you a title of honor even though you don't know me." Isa. 45:4b. By our standards today as well as his contemporaries, Cyrus was an unbaptized, uncircumcised, unchurched heathen. But in the sight of God he was a chosen vessel. The wise men were philosophers who belonged to a large and influential class that included men of noble birth who held much of the wealth and learning of their nation. Many among them were honest-hearted and upright men who studied the indications of Providence in nature. Although they were "high society," these wise men were of the highest character, honored for their integrity and wisdom. Their desire to know the future motivated them to fathom the mystery hidden in the bright paths of the starry heavens. Thus they beheld the glory of God in His creation. Possessing treasured copies of the Hebrew Scriptures they studied these diligently seeking to understand the exact time of the appearance of the Messiah whose coming they discovered would usher in a glorious revelation of the knowledge of the glory of the Lord that would fill the earth. When the wise men saw the mysterious light the same night the glory of God was revealed to the humble shepherds, they determined to follow the star...a trek estimated by the Bible Commentary to be at least 400 miles taking about two or three weeks on horseback or a month if they had to walk. Travelling at night in order to follow the star may have taken even longer. Even though Bethlehem is only about five miles south of Jerusalem, according to the scale of miles on the Bible map I used to measure, there is no record of anyone else going down there to search for the Christ child.

The gifts that these wise men brought helped to finance Joseph's and Mary's escape into Egypt from the wrath of Herod. We also know that their visit at this time once again was a testimony that the Messiah had been born. The Jewish nation had awaited the coming of a Deliverer for centuries. It was upon this one event that hope continued to burn in their hearts. For more than a thousand years they had sung songs and repeated the prophecies. In temple rite and household prayer they had enshrined His name. And yet when Jesus finally arrived as a babe in Bethlehem they didn't even realize that the prophecies were at last being fulfilled. Why? How could this have happened? Here is the answer:

"When God's written word was given through the Hebrew prophets, Satan
studied with diligence the messages concerning the Messiah. Carefully he traced the words that outlined with unmistakable clearness Christ's work among men as a suffering sacrifice and as a conquering king. In the parchment rolls of the Old Testament Scriptures he read that the One who was to appear was to be 'brought as a lamb to the slaughter,' 'His visage...so marred more than any man, and His form more than the sons of men.' Isa. 53:7; 52:14. The promised Saviour of humanity was to be 'despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief;...smitten of God, and afflicted;' yet He was also to exercise His mighty power in order to 'judge the poor of the people.' He was to 'save the children of the needy,' and 'break in pieces the oppressor.' Isa. 53:4; Psalm 72:4. (Now note this carefully) These prophecies caused Satan to fear and tremble; yet he relinquished not his purpose to thwart, if possible, the merciful provisions of Jehovah for the redemption of the lost race. He determined to blind the eyes of the people, so far as might be possible, to the real significance of the Messianic prophecies, in order to prepare the way for the rejection of Christ at His coming." "Prophets & Kings," page 686, 687; DA 115.

Now, beloved, this is how Satan succeeded in deceiving the majority of God's professed people over 2,000 years ago. But do you realize that the same thing is happening today? There is more misunderstanding on the Second Coming of Christ today than any other one subject. Why? It is the same problem as at His first coming. The teachers of religion have led the people to believe in an angry and vengeful God who is coming to destroy them. This is taught from the pulpit to the bumper sticker on the highway. God is coming back soon...and is He ever ticked off!

So, the false theology being preached today about God and His true character is no different than it was then, maybe worse. Here we are on the very edge of eternity, yet only a few of God's professed people are seeking the glory of God...to know His true character of love so they may become like Him and reflect His likeness. God is waiting for us to permit Him to finish His work in the soil of our hearts. Day by day He is planting the seeds of His loving care and kindness in our hearts, watering them with the joy and sorrow of His many tears in our behalf. But He patiently waits for the harvest when He will be able to come and reap the rich rewards of His labors. "When the fruit is brought forth, immediately he putteth in the sickle, because the harvest is come. Christ is waiting with longing desire for the manifestation of Himself in His church. When the character of Christ shall be perfectly reproduced in His people, then He will come to claim them as His own." May the Lord bless you as you continue to search and study, like the wise men of old as you follow His star day by day and night by night. Your friend always in Christ, our Lord.

Yet, it is our duty to expose all to this truth while time lingers on. So, let us labor on without complaint continuing to follow the star ourselves and point others to Him along the way. The promise is to the faithful, persevering laborers, "They that sow in tears shall reap in joy. He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him." Psalm 126:5,6. Beloved, if there was ever a time when we, like the wise men of old, need to be following, studying the prophecies and discerning the signs of the times, it is today. This is how we can "follow His star."

May the Lord richly bless each of you as you seek to know Him and His ways and will for your life today. Your friend always in the power of His mighty love. Pastor Mike Clute.

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