Moskos Ilias – The Nativity (1658)
A Magi’s journey is one of FAITH.
And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. [19] Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, [20] teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” (Mat. 28:18-20)
Have you ever thought about what Jesus meant when He said, “I am always with you, to the end of the age.” Jesus never commanded us to figure out when this age would end or to understand the mysteries of His 3-in-1 Godhead, or even to choose a denomination. His birth started a revolution. The Christ Child was a gift from the Father that changed what it meant to be human. The world would never be the same again. The most important relationship in history was introduced to the very heart of humanity. To take part in this revolution you must know the One to whom all authority in heaven and on earth has been given. You must have a personal relationship with the King of kings.
The Great Commission in Matthew 28 contains one imperative command, make disciples of all nations. The other instructions to go, baptize, and teach, are all complimentary actions involved in introducing Jesus to the heart of those you encounter. There is one more passionate directive from the Messiah, behold. Can you describe the last time you “beheld”?
Behold – ????, eid? (Greek)
- to see
- to perceive with the eyes
- to perceive by any of the senses
- to perceive, notice, discern, discover
Much of what we do in celebration of the Christ Child is at least connected to pagan traditions. December 25 already hosted two other related festivals: natalis solis invicti (the Roman “birth of the unconquered sun”), and the birthday of Mithras, the Iranian “Sun of Righteousness” whose worship was popular with Roman soldiers. December 25th wasn’t widely recognized until 336 when Emperor Constantine declared Christianity his favorite religion. The pagan origins of the Christmas date, as well as pagan origins for many Christmas customs (gift-giving and merrymaking from Roman Saturnalia; greenery, lights, and charity from the Roman New Year; Yule logs and various foods from Teutonic feasts), have always fueled arguments against Christmas. “It’s just paganism wrapped with a Christian bow,” non-believers argue. This paganism has now been thoroughly commercialized. How do you behold the Risen Savior in the midst of the mixed media message of Christmas today? A little know theologian asserted in 320, “We hold this day holy, not like the pagans because of the birth of the sun, but because of him who made it.”
For the next few weeks we will take time to behold the majesty of the Christ Child. We will take a journey with some wise men. Men who knew the stars. Men who recognized the Star of Bethlehem from the Holy Scriptures.
. . . “The oracle of Balaam the son of Beor, the oracle of the man whose eye is opened,[16] the oracle of him who hears the words of God, and knows the knowledge of the Most High, who sees the vision of the Almighty, falling down with his eyes uncovered:
[17] I see him, but not now; I behold him, but not near: a star shall come out of Jacob, and a scepter shall rise out of Israel; it shall crush the forehead of Moab and break down all the sons of Sheth. (Numbers 24:15-17 ESV)
We will take the journey of the Magi. It is a journey of faith, worship, and revolutionary change.
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, [2] 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.” [3] When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him; [4] and assembling all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. [5] They told him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for so it is written by the prophet:
[6] “‘And you, O Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,
are by no means least among the rulers of Judah;
for from you shall come a ruler|
ho will shepherd my people Israel.’”
[7] Then Herod summoned the wise men secretly and ascertained from them what time the star had appeared. [8] And he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, “Go and search diligently for the child, and when you have found him, bring me word, that I too may come and worship him.” [9] After listening to the king, they went on their way. And behold, the star that they had seen when it rose went before them until it came to rest over the place where the child was. [10] When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. [11] And going into the house they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh. [12] And being warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed to their own country by another way. (Matthew 2:1-12 ESV)
How many were there? We don’t know.
Where did they come from? We don’t know.
How long did their journey take? We don’t know.
They seem to just show up mysteriously – and just as mysteriously they are gone. But one thing I am certain about is, that the number of wise men and women increases in every generation as people continue to seek the Christ. Let’s look at three facts that we can learn from the story of the Magi.
A Magi’s journey is one of FAITH.
“Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose.”
What would prompt someone to leave the comfort of their homes to go on a dangerous journey? Romance? Yes. Wealth? Most definitely. But faith? “Where is He who has been born the King of the Jews?” What a probing question – there is no doubt in their language that He had been born – the question is “Where is He?” They had seen the star – the evidence was real – now where is He? They had faith that He was alive – that He existed – now all they needed to do was to find Him.
Can you imagine their neighbor’s reaction? “Are you going on a journey?” “Yes.” “Where are you going?” “We don’t know for sure.” “How far is it?” “Well we don’t know that either.” How long are you going to be gone?” Well were not quite sure on that either.” “Boy for wise men you sure don’t much do you?”
But you know they must have said the same things to Abraham when he left his home for the Promised Land. They must have said the same things to Noah who was building an ark – even though it had never rained in the history of the earth up till that point. They must have said the same kind of things to Peter, Andrew, John and James when they left the fishing nets to become fishers of men. What are you crazy? Are you insane? Are you out of your minds? No not crazy – not insane – not out of their minds – men of faith.
William Cary was a shoemaker when one day he heard of the millions of people in India who had not heard the Good News of Jesus Christ. He believed the great commission to “Go into all the world and preach the gospel.” He believed that verse was speaking directly to him. So, he volunteered to go to India but was told “Young man, sit down. When God wants to convert the heathen, He will do it without your help.” Cary went anyway – supporting himself. For seven years, he worked without seeing a single convert – but by the end of his life he saw hundreds of churches and thousands of converts. Today he is known as the “Father of Modern Missions.” He was a man of faith.
What was the last thing you did that was crazy enough to change the world? (Not a rhetorical question)
And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him. (Hebrews 11:6 ESV)
FACT: God’s journeys always involve FAITH. People, whose faith is in Jesus Christ, have been willing to respond to the challenges of the unknown repeatedly through history. Behold the Person of your great faith and praise God!
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