The Wise Still Seek Him

 By: Joanne Viola

 

The time of Advent is a wonderful time for us to reflect and remember how the arrival of the Babe came to be. There are several individuals involved in the powerful events in Christ’s arrival to earth.

Today let us focus on the wise men.

We don’t know very much about them. They were distinguished and wealthy men who were commissioned by Herod “to go and search carefully for the child” (Matthew 2:8).

Scripture tells us they were guided to Bethlehem by a star they had seen in the east sky. It went ahead of them and only stopped when it came to the place where the child was.

“They entered the house and saw the child with his mother, Mary,
and they bowed down and worshiped him.”
(Matthew 2:11a, NLT)

The wise men were guided by the star but they had to enter in to see Jesus. They could not remain outside the home. One glimpse of Jesus elicited joy and worship as they bowed down before Him.

“Then they opened their treasure chests
and gave him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.”
(Matthew 2:11b, NLT)

Dwelling on these wise men has brought three thoughts:

1. May we place our trust in God. We are not told that the wise men knew where to find Jesus. We are told they followed the star until it stopped. May we place our trust in God and follow where He leads, even if we are not sure where He is taking us.
2. May we offer our worship to Him alone. We must keep our eyes on Jesus, for as we do, our response will be to worship.
3. May we offer Him our best. The wise men brought gifts which were considered extravagant in their day. May we do the same, offering Him our best. May we not hold back of our time, our talents, or our hearts.

May we not just “see” and stay separated,
but fully enter in.
For wise men still seek Him. 

 

Reflection:
What are you seeking this Christmas? What keeps you from fully entering into the Advent season? How may we be praying for you?

 

Photo by Robert Thiemann on Unsplash