Christmas/Epiphany
What made the wise men wise? -that they knew about stars? Knowledge itself does not necessarily make a person wise.
There are many scientists and leading intellectuals who do acknowedge the LORD our Creator, the One who made our world, and everything in it. But there are also many more who refuse to acknowledge God -even though, as Romans 1 says, 'God's eternal power and divine nature have been clearly seen, and understood from what has been made, so that human beings are without excuse.' A person can know a great deal, but still be very foolish. To ignore the Lord God -this is the height of folly.
Hear God's Word:
"Let not the wise man boast of his wisdom, or the strong man boast of his stregnth, or the rich man boast of his riches,
but let him who boasts, boast about this: that he understands and knows me, that I am the LORD, who exercises kindness, justice and righteousness on earth, for in these I delight," declares the LORD. Jer 9:23,24
Three wise men came. They came to Jesus. They worshipped. They bowed down to him. They acknowledged that He was God's king. He was born king of the Jews. Born a king. God's king. They worshipped him.
King Herod said he wanted to go and worship too. But He had no intentions of the sort. He was only interested in Himself. He wanted to hang on to his throne: his power, and influence, his status, and wealth. If that meant eliminating the Messiah, he would do it!
'Be warned, O rulers of the earth. Be wise, you kings.' says Psalm 2.
This psalm speaks of God's promised Messiah, the King God Himself will send and install. God will give him the whole earth, and all nations. In v.10 the Spirit says, "Therefore you kings, be wise; be warned, you rulers of the earth. Serve the Lord with fear, and rejoice, with trembling. Kiss the Son (-that is, God's Messiah, the true King)- Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and you be destroyed in your way. ..Blessed are all who take refuge in him."
Herod ignored the warning. And he proved himself a fool. Herod show his true colours, when, in a fit of rage -once he learned that the wise men weren't playing his game- he orderd the dreadful slaughter of the innocents, in Bethlehem. In human terms, Herod was doing a smart thing: protecting himself. Hanging on to power and influence. But spiritually, he committed utter folly. He rejected his Saviour.
To fear -that is, respect, and have deep reverence for God, is true wisdom. To want to know God, and worship Him: to come beofre God simply, and humbly, and believe in Him: this is to be truly wise.
The Magi were wise. They were indeed 3 wise men. Because they sought the Lord. They travelled far, and kept on seeking, until, guided by the message of Scripture, and by the star, they found him. They had brought gifts. Precious gifts. Significant gifts. Gifts to offer to the King.
But before they offered their gifts -and this is the mark of true wisdom- before they did that good work, they worshipped him. Yes: this is true wisdom.
The fear of God.
Not to barge in with all the gifts and things we think we can do and have to do: but to stop. Be still. And acknowledge God.
"Be still and know that I am God" says the Lord. "I am the Lord your God, who is your Saviour. Cease your striving, and before you offer your gifts, first receive -my gift to you: I give to you, as a free gift, eternal life. I forgive you all your sins. I change you from my enemies into my friends. I wash you, and cleanse you, and set you free. Free to be my children. Forever."
Let us join the 3 wise men in the exercise of true wisdom, and bow in worship, and in faith, before our Saviour and Lord: Christ -the newborn King!
Amen.
May the peace of God, which is beyond our human understanding, keep our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus, Amen.