Young People's Group

The Faith of the Wise Men (I)

by Mitchell Tan
December 16, 2016

CORRECTING A COMMON MISTAKE

Did you know that Jesus was already a young child when the wise men came to worship Him? There are some today who think that He was still a Baby in the manger when they arrived. Such portrayals in many Christmas drawings and cards are totally wrong. When King Herod spoke to the wise men, he asked them to search carefully for the young Child (Matthew 2:8). The star also went before the wise men and stood where the young Child was (Matthew 2:9). When the wise men found Jesus, He was in a house (Matthew 2:11). King Herod also decreed that all male children two years and below were to be killed. It is important that we have a right understanding concerning the time taken for the wise men to look for the Lord Jesus and how old He was when they met Him. No matter how long it took, the wise men never gave up looking for Him.

THE WISE MEN SEEING JESUS AS KING

“Behold wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, saying: ‘Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the East and have come to worship Him.’”
Matthew 2:1-2

1. REVELATION

The Lord God revealed to the wise men that a divine king had been born through the appearance of a new star. During those times, it was a common thing to deduce that a king was born when a new star appeared. The wise men were able to understand and appreciate the significance of this special star. This star was able to move and it led them from where they were to Israel.

2. RECOGNITION

They recognised this new born Baby as the King of the Jews. They were able to see Him as one who was truly divine. The revelation of God brought about a recognition that this new King was indeed worthy of worship. Even before seeing Jesus themselves, the wise men were already convinced that He was the King of the Jews.

THE WISE MEN’S FAITH IN SEARCHING FOR JESUS

“And have come to worship Him.”
Matthew 2:2

1. FAITH IN HAVING PURPOSE TO WORSHIP THE LORD JESUS

The wise men acted on their faith in the Lord Jesus. There was a great sense of purpose and drive in wanting to come and worship Him. There was a longing in their hearts to meet Him. Nothing was going to stop them until they found the Lord Jesus. Faith and purpose in worship go together.

2. FAITH IN PERSEVERING THROUGH CHALLENGES IN SEEKING THE LORD JESUS

Despite it taking more than a year to find the Child Jesus, they did not cease looking for Him. Time passed and yet it did not stop them from searching for Him. Young people, do you give up easily in seeking the Lord in your life? Faith and perseverance go together. The wise men also went through many challenges in their quest for Jesus. They travelled through the desert’s cold night and the heat of each day. There was also the danger of being waylaid by robbers. But those few wise men of faith never gave up. Let’s also keep persevering in our faith as we seek to make the Lord Jesus even more real at Christmas.

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