The Wisdom of Christmas

The Wisdom of Christmas

Taken from a sermon by the late pastor Adrian Rogers

The bible calls the wise men that that sought the Christ child magi. Magi means wisdom. They knew to follow the star to Bethlehem. Some astronomers try to explain the star that guided them as some sort of super nova. But supernovas do not move. The star went ahead of them to guide them. The star was the Glory of the Lord. In Luke chapter 2, verse 9 we read that the Glory of the Lord shone round about them (shepherds). The Light of God is not some small ember, but a brilliant light. 

Then there was the discomfort the magi went through to come and worship the Child. They likely came from Babylon which was 300 miles from Bethlehem. A 300 mile trip in a car today will wear out a person. Imagine riding camels that far. God's Word does not tell us how they traveled, but camels are a possibility. Or they may have had Arabian horses. Imagine sitting in a saddle for 300 miles. Many people today will not go to church if it is raining. But watch a green bay packers football game and you'll see guys in subzero weather not wearing a coat or shirt. 

The magi also faced danger. They had to deal with king Herod, who didn't think twice about killing someone. On the day Herod died, he had a list of people he wanted killed the same day so there would be tears and not rejoicing. He told the magi he wanted to worship the Messiah, when in actuality, he wanted to kill Him. Herod did not want to know the Lord. Some people want to find God like a thief wants to find a police man. 

And the magi sought Christ in the way explained in Jeremiah says in chapter 29, verse 13. And ye shall seek me and find me when ye shall search for me with all your heart. We do not seek God. And in Romans Paul says there is none that understands. There is none that seeks God. if we do seek God it's because He has sought us first. We find God when we are running away from God because He runs faster. 

Then there's the ministry of the spirit. 1 john 1:9 says we love Him because he first loved us. The wise men's hearts were full of love for the Child before they even saw Him, much like a Christian's heart should be. We may not see our Savior, but we should have an endless love for Him because He has that for us and He loved us first. 

The message of the scripture also guided them. God's Word promised a Savior and the magi knew this because they had read about Jesus being born in Bethlehem. When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy. They knew this would be their guide to Jesus. 

The gifts the magi gave to Jesus were ordained by God. Gold, frankincense, and myrrh. In that day and time, gold was the most valuable metal. it was given to kings. Their crowns were crowns of gold. In Matthew 2:2, Jesus is referred to as the King of the Jews. What better gift to give to the King than gold?

Frankincense signifies a sinless Deity. It was an ingredient used in sweet perfumes that was sacred for a king. In Exodus in the temple that God told Moses to build, incense was to be burned. it contained among other scared spices, frankincense. 

They also presented Jesus myrrh. Myrrh was offered to Him as He hung on the cross to dull the pain. He refused to drink it. Myrrh was also used to anoint the body of a loved one being laid to rest. john says Nicodemus brought seventy five pounds of myrrh to anoint Jesus' body as it was laid in the tomb.

Jesus was born naked and He died naked on the Cross. 

This Christmas the wisest thing we can do is to celebrate and worship the greatest Gift God gave to all of us. His beloved Son. 

If you truly seek God, he will reveal Himself to you. Please pray this prayer to accept Jesus and His gift of Salvation: 

Lord Jesus, I am a sinner. Forgive me of my sins. Your Word says though my sins are red like crimson, they shall be white as snow. I believe You came into this world to save me. You hung on the Cross taking my sins upon Your shoulders. You shed Your blood for me. You rose on the third day defeating death. may I be a constant witness for you wherever I may be. Give me the strength to make it public. Help me to never be ashamed of You. I love you. Come into my heart this instant and begin making me a new person. The old is passed away. I ask this in Your Holy Name. Amen.