Speaking of Melt Downs
Follow The Star
SHARON W. BETTERS
TODAY’S TREASURE
The Star of Bethlehem, well, we don’t know if it was a star, a comet, or even an angel. But whatever it was, it led the Magi to Bethlehem. But not on Christmas Eve or even Christmas Day. We have it all wrong with our manger scenes on our mantles where the wise men are bowing with the Shepherds before the baby Jesus. In fact, maybe we should place them somewhere across the room, indicating that they come later!
Speaking of meltdowns, I have a feeling the wise men who followed the star to Bethlehem had a few of those meltdown moments along their hard, arduous journey, traveling by camel to find the one who had been born King of the Jews.
The Magi were not God-fearers. They were Gentiles, non-Jews, astronomers, or astrologers, possibly made up of representatives from several countries. They came from the East, possibly Persia, what is now modern-day Iran and Iraq. If they were astrologers then they most likely worshiped the stars. They were known as kingmakers.
These wise men thought they initiated this search for the King, but as always, God was the initiator and drew them to Jesus by using something with which they were familiar, the study of the stars.
Listen - God meets us where we are. He used the stars to draw the wise men to Jesus. Our Father will stop at nothing to extend His unconditional love to His children. Whether it is our circumstances, our fears, or our interests, He uses whatever is necessary to lead us to the Cross, to Jesus, the Light of the World. For instance, a musician can see God’s order and beauty in the way music is put together in a way that I would not; an engineer might see the logic of God in the way numbers work; an architect in the beauty of design, a scientist in the intricacies of nature. Or perhaps loneliness, pain, and fear lead us to Jesus. The broken places of life can become a conduit of intimacy with Him.
And nothing will stop God’s purposes. The wise men would not be deterred. Let’s think about those wise men. They were foreigners. They recognized something was different in the sky, they noticed something happening, and they wanted to be part of it. They were not religious leaders, yet in the mundane, they saw the sign - the King was coming. These wise men did not miss the first Christmas. They followed the star.
But others ignored the supernatural signs of redemption because of their hardened hearts. Herod, not only a Jesus-hater but also a Jesus-fearer, was a non-Jew, appointed king of Judea by the Roman Senate. He was ruthless and murdered his wife, his three sons, his mother-in-law, his brother-in-law, his uncle, and many others because he feared their loyalty to him. He was so disturbed by the wise men’s questions that he called together all the Jewish religious leaders - chief priests and teachers of the law. He asked them where the Christ was to be born. They confirmed a King was coming and would be born in Bethlehem.
This was bad news to the king. Herod demanded all of life worship him, and an usurper was coming.
But what about the religious leaders of that day? The chief priests and teachers of the law? They knew their Bible, their theology was all in place and they said they were looking for the Messiah. Their response to the Magi is mystifying. Why didn’t they beg to be included in the hunt for this babe, so they, too, could worship Him? Perhaps they were terrified. They were comfortable with the status quo and did not want any trouble. They were unwilling to risk their lives in Herod’s realm by indicating any interest in the Messiah.
LIFE-GIVING ENCOURAGEMENT
Compare the reaction of the wise men to the religious leaders. The Magi’s journey started because they paid attention, they took action, and they refused to allow distractions to stop them – even the threat of a murderous King.
When they saw the baby Jesus and His mother, they bowed and worshipped Him and gave Him precious gifts as a means of demonstrating their surrender to Him as King.
Probably without knowing it, the wise men now followed the real Star of Christmas, Jesus, the Bright Morning Star. Warned in a dream, they went home a different way. As I meditated on this scripture, several life lessons came to me personally. They came to Jesus one way, and they left a different way. Perhaps we can also conclude they were transformed by their meeting with Him. As we approach Christmas, let’s mirror the wise men – let’s pursue Jesus and allow nothing to deter us from experiencing the treasures of Christmas. Let’s pray our Father transforms us each day as we watch for ways of not only spending time with our Savior but intentionally offering to others His touch.
Friends, God used a dream to direct the steps of the Wise Men, to warn them the familiar way home was dangerous. By obeying this directive, they eluded sure death at the hands of the murderous Herod. More importantly, their obedience protected the life of the baby Jesus. How often does God’s Word warn us about danger in making certain decisions, warning us to go a different way? And by obeying, we not only experience His protection and grace but we may also be used as a means of reflecting the character of Jesus in ways that protect and lead others to Him.
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PRAYER
Oh Lord, open the eyes of our hearts to your Word, warnings, and guidance. We pray for the one whose loneliness during the holidays tempts her to go back into a sinful relationship. Wake us to You whispering or perhaps shouting, “This is the way; walk in it!” May we remember Your directions are always for our good and protection, even when they seem hard and painful.
Sharon W. Betters is a mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, pastor’s wife, and cofounder of MARKINC Ministries, where she is the Director of Resource Development. Sharon is the author of several books, including Treasures of Encouragement, Treasures in Darkness, and co-author with Susan Hunt of Aging with Grace. She is the co-host of the Help & Hope podcast and writes Daily Treasure, an online devotional.
Contact Sharon with comments or questions at dailytreasure@markinc.org.