Matthew 2:1-12 – “
This is such a great time of year to
worship. The Sanctuary is adorned with colorful beauty and there truly seems to
be more joy in the air. Some people however, have the wrong attitude about
worship, such as the lady I read about who was too sick to go to church one
Sunday, so she asked her husband and children to go on without her. When they
returned she asked her husband; “What was Mildred wearing today?” He said; “I
have no idea.” Then she asked, “Well, how are Victor and Mary getting along?”
He said, “I really don’t know.” She huffed and frowned and said; “Well then,
what is Evelyn doing about her son on Friday night?” “How should I know?” he
replied. To which she responded; “Honestly, I don’t know why you even go to
church!”
When I was a young sixth grader, I remember
taking part in a Christmas pageant that was put on by the music director at our
school. I was dressed in a royal purple robe, along with two other boys - also
dressed in robes - and we sang “We Three Kings Of Orient Are….” This often
mentioned bit of scripture in Matthew’s gospel has always been a popular part
of the Christmas story. It is interesting that it’s also a part we know the
least about. “Who were these so called “wise men?” “Were they really Kings?”
“Were they called ‘Magi’ because they were magicians?” We know they came from
the east, but what was their country? We assume there were only three, because
of the listing of the three gifts, but there may have been more. And, then
there is the question “Where did they get their information concerning “the one
who was born King of the Jews?” My commentaries tell me they were astrologers who believed that the movement of the heavenly bodies and the destinies of men were some-how linked. I personally think there is more to the story than we are given, because if you are from the east and you travel west “following a star” you will go forever circling the globe! However, we must remember that this was a time when God was doing some miraculous things! Virgins and old women were getting pregnant; Angels were appearing to let everyone in on what was happening; God was coming to become one of us! The Creator was becoming one of the created in the form of His son - a babe in a lowly manger. So, it would be no big thing for the story of the star to be just as true.
The fact is that these “magi” go way back in the Old Testament to the time of Daniel and King Nebuchadnezzar; Daniel 2:1 - “In the second year of Nebuchadnezzar’s reign, he had dreams and his spirit was so troubled that his sleep left him. Then the king gave the command to call the magi, the astrologers, the Chaldeans to tell the king his dreams…So, they came and stood before the king.”
These “Wise men” as we call them, had been around awhile, and they had traveled a long way to find and worship this new born king. It’s interesting that they didn’t bring Herod any gifts, nor did they worship him! Maybe that’s what made him so mad! They did however, realize that there was something special and significant about the one they were seeking. What I really want us to focus on this morning is in fact the question they asked; “Where is He”?
Our attitude toward, and our answer to that question, will make all the difference in the world in our lives this Christmas. The question was asked by these who had come to worship him, but it is also asked by:
#1. A relentless enemy who seeks to destroy. King Herod was very disturbed by this news, and he called together all the “chief priests and the teachers of the law” and asks them “Where is he?” “Where is he to be born?” He inquires not because he desires to worship this king, but because he saw a possible rival to the throne, and he wanted to eliminate that possibility. “I am king! There shall be no other!” The kingdom of Jesus was not of this world, as we know, and he really was not a rival at all. However, in the truest sense of the word, Christ stands against Herod and all that Herod stands for. Modern Herods are still seeking to destroy the church and all that Christ stands for; and they ask; “Where is He?”
#2. The question is asked by the unbelieving scoffer. This is the person who ridicules Christ and Christianity. When Jesus was on the Cross, they taunted him; “If you are the Son of God, come down from the cross! Call your army of angels! Heal yourself!”
Scoffers are still with us today. 2 Peter 3:4 - “Where is this coming He promised? Ever since our fathers died, everything goes on as it has from the beginning of creation.” ”Where is He?” Or, they may even point to the breakdown of moral and family values and then point to the church and say “Where is He?”
#3. The question is asked by the cynic who sneers; “In the midst of this pagan, materialistic holiday called ‘Christmas’…Where is he?” The holly, the mistletoe, the colored lights, the department stores - that begin to display Christmas merchandise on the 4th of July - Santa Clause and reindeer, all this we can see; but “Where is he?” Where is Jesus in all this chaos? Christmas is all about greed!
#4. The question is also asked in the spirit of the believer. This is hopefully where you are found this morning. This is the person - who like the wise men - seek and follow until they find. The wise men showed their faith not only by starting on a difficult journey, but by their diligent search and inquiry until they found what they were looking for. Their mission was complete. And their faith was abundantly rewarded. “Where is He?” they asked. They sought, they found, they fell down and worshipped, and, you can bet that life was never the same for them again. Our journey however, is not over; Our mission is not yet complete. As we celebrate Christmas, the birth of Christ, Let me ask this question: Are you seeking?…Are you following?… Have you found Him?…or are you still asking “Where is he?” The unbeliever, the cynic, the enemy, ask, but do not usually bother to “seek”. But, to the believer, Jesus says “Those who seek me will find me.”
The wise men came bearing gifts…Gifts fit for a king. But, consider the reason for these gifts; Consider that Joseph and Mary had to go to Egypt with their newborn son, to escape the murderous plot of Herod. The gold would have paid for the journey and all the expenses involved. The Incense and Myrrh could be easily carried, and would fetch high prices in Egypt, providing for their every need. But, consider also that the gold represented a gift to a king. The Incense a gift to God. And, the Myrrh a gift to a mortal man who would die…all three representing Christ. “Where is he”? they asked. “We have come to worship Him.”
A learned professor, a decent, respected, man who was also an atheist, was attempting to teach his children not to believe in God. One night while he was busy in his study, his little girl insisted on talking to him. Suddenly, she asked him; “Where is God?” In an attempt to occupy her time, he took out a piece of paper and with a black marker wrote down the words; “God is nowhere.” After showing her the sentence, he cut the paper into small pieces, mixed them up, and dumped them on the floor. Then he said; “Now honey, I want you to put those letters back together.” But, it didn’t come out the way he had planned, for when she did get the pieces back together; her sentence read “God is now here”!
Let any person ask in sincere faith; “Where is He?”… And, if that person seek wholeheartedly, with all the light available, that person will find “Emmanuel” God is now here! God with us.
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