WISE MEN STILL SEEK HIM

Would you consider yourself wise? Not a question that's usually asked of you, is it? In my seventy-six years, I don't think I've ever been asked this question. Nor, to my recollection, has anyone ever called me wise--a wise guy, perhaps, but not wise.

If I take into account my relationship with Jesus, the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, and the study of God's Word, then I have to say that I am wise beyond my years. In fact, not only am I wise beyond my years, I'm also wise beyond my limited human perspective, wise beyond my experience--just plain wise. The thing is, this truth doesn't make me particularly special. God's transcendent wisdom is available by faith in Christ, to anyone! As James 1:5 tells us, "If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him."

There is a catch, though, you have to be wise enough to know you're not wise. What? Are you confused? All I'm trying to say is that true wisdom is seeking the wisdom that comes from God, not our own unwise selves! Problem is, we'd much rather learn things our own way then to trust the wisdom of another, even if that other is God! If you don't believe me, you've never been a teenager!

To wrap this truth in Christmas paper, let me ask you a question? Why is it that the shepherds were the only ones on the scene when the babe was born? Where were the wise (in their eyes)? Where were the religious scholars of that day? They were too busy teaching others to learn something from the wisdom of a few rather humble, rather well-informed shepherds.

Why is it that the religious community, after almost two years, still hadn't caught on to the fact that their King, their Messiah, their Lord, was living in Bethlehem? It's plainly embarrassing to think that it takes some wise foreigners following a star to get any interest raised about going to Jerusalem!

The answer to all these questions is the same: those who already considered themselves wise couldn't see. They couldn't even see what was happening next door, some five miles away in Bethlehem. Sad, isn't it! What about you? Can you see the real truth of Christmas?

What was it that made the Magi so wise? First, they didn’t let their culture, or backgrounds, get in the way of seeking the King! The Magi were Gentiles…lived in a distant land…in a culture that had nothing to do with the Jewish faith or the Bible. They were not helped by family or employers on their way to becoming globe-trotting spiritual seekers. They left everything behind to pursue the truth…as a result they found Jesus.

Second, the Magi were wise because they worshiped the newborn King. These great men of learning willingly bowed down before Jesus and gave Him costly gifts. That, in fact, was the reason for their journey.

Finally, the Magi were wise because they listened to God. After they saw Jesus, God told them in a dream not to return to Herod, so they went home a different way. What would have happened if they hadn’t listened?

Let’s be wise this Christmas and listen. Specifically, let’s spend time listening to God by praying and reading His Word, by retreating from the BUSYness of this Season and finding a quiet place to hear.

Let’s spend our time wisely.