Key Message:
One of the best gifts that we can receive this Christmas is the gift of wisdom. For wisdom will lead us to discovering the greatest gifts of all, who is Jesus the Saviour and hope of the world. Today our world is in great need of wise men and women so that we can lead peaceful and happy and fulfilled lives. Wisdom is something that should be highly valued.
So, what is wisdom? Wisdom is not just about knowing what's good for you, but applying that knowledge into your everyday life. It involves far more than knowing WHAT to do but understanding HOW to act and react and speak in the most positive and effective way.
It’s about making wise decisions with prudence and discernment and not just acting on our impulses and emotions. That’s especially true if we want the best marriages and families, friendships and finances. Fortunately, if we don’t have wisdom, we can receive it. In the Christmas story we encounter men who were known for their wisdom. Their actions show us why wisdom is such a gift. They had great natural wisdom, but they also had great spiritual insight.
Wise people seek God (Matthew 2:1-2; Jeremiah 29:13; Psalm 119:105; Matthew 7:7-8)
Wise people are guided by God (Matthew 2:2,9-10)
Wise people find God (Matthew 2:10-12)
Apply
1.Wise people seek God. The wise man seemingly had it all. But there was something missing in their lives. They hungered for an encounter with the true and living God. So they went all out to find him (Matthew 2:1-2). For all their achievements, power, possessions and influence, they were not satisfied. They were on a search for God. Today more and more people are realising that ‘there must be more to life’ than what they are experiencing. People are searching for life, love, meaning and purpose….searches that can only find true fulfilment when people find God who is the source of everything good. In our story we see just how serious they were to find God: The wise men came from afar (it cost them time and money) and they were very focussed in their search. They travelled for months over nearly 2000 miles. They were focussed on finding meaning and fulfilment in their lives.
Have you made serious efforts to seek God, just as the wise men did? To know God, you must sincerely and seriously seek Him and then you will find (Jeremiah 29: 13). We can seek God by trying to learn more about Jesus and by reading and studying the Bible (Psalm 119:105). Also we can search for God when we sincerely pray to Him in our own words. Jesus taught of the importance of seeking God (Matthew 7:7-8). Maybe right now you need some direction in your own life, or for your family or in your finances. Maybe you have a void in your soul that noting has been able to satisfy and you want to find how to fill that void or could be because you want a simple hope for your future. You become very wise if you start to look for God guidance. Because only in God we can find real wisdom and understanding for your situation. Only with God can you can find direction to make important decisions. And you will be blessed.
2,Wise people are guided by God. The star was the light that guided them in the darkness (Matthew 2:2,9-10). There have been many theories to explain the star in terms of conjunctions of planets or comets or supernovas or miraculous lights. We just don't know. What we do know from this passage is that the wise men knew that this star was highly significant -His star- and that it led them to success in their search for the Messiah. Just as God used a star to bring the wise men to His Son so today, He uses many means to draw us to Him when our hearts are truly searching for Him. He may use a birth or a death to make you aware of what is important in life. He may guide you through a book, especially the Bible, or a movie. Or He may be reaching out to you through your children or even your wife. Or maybe you met a total stranger who started talking to you about God. But you can be confident of this God is busy making a way to lead you to His son.
Are you guided by God in each decision you make, big and small? When we are looking for God, He lets himself be found. Because He is always waiting for us and he has been calling us in so many different ways. Right now the Holy Spirit is at work in your life and circumstances.
3. Wise people find God. The wise men had an encounter with God when the star came to rest in Bethlehem (Matthew 2:11). They were no longer searching. They had found what they were looking for. God’s light had shone on them and they were no more in darkness. They were overjoyed, overwhelmed and overawed. In verses 10-12, we see parallels here with what happens when we have the light of Christ in our lives: You’ll be overjoyed, humbled, a worshipper, a giver and you’ll obey God. God spoke supernaturally to the wise men and they obeyed. Jesus said we too will be wise men and women and build our lives on rock not sand when we obey his teachings.
Have you decided to seek Jesus for yourself? This Christmas, if you haven’t already done so, this is a very special time to decide to follow the light who is Jesus. When you do that you will truly be a wise person.
