This Sunday, we celebrate the visit to Bethlehem of the three Wise Men from the East. I have always wondered why these rich and non-Jewish merchants left Persia and traveled hundreds of miles to Bethlehem in search of this newborn king. There is truth in the saying that one may have more than enough to live on but not enough to live for. Were they in search of someone who could give meaning to their lives? Scripture says, “I have come that they may have life and have it in its fullness” (John 10:10). The Old Testament has about 300 prophecies regarding the birth of the Messiah, all fulfilled in Christ Jesus. George Heron, a French mathematician, calculated the odds of one man fulfilling only 40 prophecies and said it would be 1 in 10 to the power 157, 1 followed by 157 zeros. So, this new-born king was not an ordinary king; there was something special about Him. No wonder a special star appeared that guided the Magi to Bethlehem. What can we say about this star?
It is a star of hope for forgiveness, salvation, redemption, and becoming friends with God again because the “Reconciler In-Chief” is now here. This is why they risked it all to follow the star to wherever it led. How willing am I to do whatever it takes to let my life be drawn to Jesus Christ?
It is also a star of challenge and victory—a challenge that invites us to new directions, purpose, and destiny; a challenge that invites us to break away from rigidity, guilt, shame, defeat, feelings of unworthiness, and rejection as it invites us into a newness of life. Scripture says, “Come to me all you who are weary and tired [worn out, burned out, rejected, rejected, dejected, overburdened, overwhelmed], and I will give you rest.” That is to say, walk and work with me, and I will show you the way to real rest, joy, and victory, and you will discover and experience the rhythms of grace and recovery of life. My friends, this star, the guiding light of Jesus Christ, is heaven's answer to earth’s dilemmas.
It is also a star that invites us into the humanity of Christ. We are told that when the Magi arrived and saw the Child Jesus, “They kneeled and worshiped him. Then, they opened their luggage and presented Him with gifts—gold, frankincense, and myrrh” (Matt 2:11). My friends, “Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom” (Luke 6:38).
It is also a star of divine guidance. Scripture says, “After their audience with the king, they set out. And behold, the star they had seen at its rising preceded them until it came and stopped over the place where the child was”. In Isaiah 60 we read: “Nations shall walk by your light, and kings by your shining radiance.” David was wise when he prayed, “Order my steps, oh Lord, by your word, and do not let iniquity overtake me”. May the Star of David lead and guide us to the true essence of life and Christian living. Amen!
