Boldly Go Where All People Are Welcome
After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him.” (Matthew 2:1-2)
“This is the journey of the ancient Magi, their continuing mission: to explore strange new worlds, to seek out new life, and new civilizations – to boldly go where no man has gone before.” With apologies to Gene Rodenberry – the concept of Star Trek was not really an original idea. The first star trek actually took place long before he ever imagined galaxies filled with Klingons, Romulans and pointy eared Vulcans. The original star trek took place 2000 years ago as the Magi followed a miraculous star to a stable in Bethlehem.
But they weren’t there just because of the miraculous moving star. They knew the moving star would lead them to the eternal star. The star in the sky was only a sign that was leading them to something far brighter. They asked Herod, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews?” How could they possibly know about a King being born to the Jews? Probably because they had read the ancient writings of Daniel.
Almost six hundred years earlier Daniel had been deported as a teenager to Babylon when Jerusalem was conquered. He did more than survive a den of lions; he became a very influential leader in the Babylonian kingdom and a great prophet of God. Daniel wrote his prophecies about 500 years before Jesus was born and gives some very specific information about the arrival of the Messiah. In chapter 9 he predicted from the issuing of the decree to rebuild Jerusalem until the birth of the Anointed One (the King of the Jews) exactly 483 years would elapse. These magi knew exactly when Cyrus gave the official decree for Jerusalem to be rebuilt, so they simply added 483 years and that’s why they were looking for a king at that particular time. They knew when the star would appear. They knew why the star would appear – because the fullness of God’s revealed timing had arrived. They knew what the star signified – the arrival of the King. What they just didn’t know is where they could find the King. That’s why they stopped by Jerusalem to ask, “Where?” After a careful search of Scripture, the answer was found in Micah’s prophecy: He would be born in Bethlehem in Judea. “But you Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel.” (Micah 5:2) Daniel’s prophecy states when – Micah’s prophecy states where.
Now catch this: The question the Magi ask, “Where is the Messiah?” is the first recorded question spoken by a person in the New Testament. In Matthew chapter one, only the angel Gabriel speaks. In Matthew, chapter two, the first recorded words spoken by a human are the magi asking, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? Now think back to the first question found in the Old Testament (discounting the serpent). In Genesis 3:9, God asked Adam, “Where are you?” Adam had lost himself in his sin and was hiding from God. He didn’t want to be found because of the burden of his guilt. So God asks, “Where are you?” Adam couldn’t figure out where he was. Sin does that. It clouds the mind to the point where we can’t understand reality. The entire message of the Old Testament can almost be summarized in the first question God asks sinful mankind, “Where are you?” So in the Old Testament God gives the Law to man as an answer to His own question. The law serves as a revelation to where we are in light of His holiness. Like Adam, each of us must admit we have failed to live up to God’s standards.
Now come forward to the message of the New Testament. Instead of a Holy God asking sinful mankind, “Where are you?” The Magi come asking, “Where is the One? – Where is God?” And God answers the question unequivocally by turning on a spotlight in the sky and says, “Here I am! I took on human flesh and came into the world at Bethlehem in Judea! (just as I said I would) I am with you. I am Immanuel.” “I want you to find Me!” He is One who wants to be found. The moving star, which ultimately stopped over the stable, was simply Jesus’ way of saying, “Hey guys – I’m over here! You’re search is over.” In the New Testament, God focuses not on the law – but rather offers the gift of grace to anyone who will simply respond to His light. He is found not in legalistic obedience to the law – but in receiving the gift of His grace.
So let’s review: Old Testament: God asks man – “Where are you?” God answers His own question; “I will show you where you are through My law.” New Testament: Man asks, “Where is God?” God answers, “I am over here! I am found in the gift of grace which is Christ!” The Magi’s star trek lead them directly to the answer to their question – a question that is in every human heart: “Where can God be found?” He can be found in the gift of grace offered through Jesus Christ.
In one way or another we are all on our own star trek, searching for meaning, purpose, forgiveness, grace and new life. The good news is that if you honestly, seriously seek God, you will always be led to Jesus – the Bright Morning Star (Rev. 22:16) who outshines everything else. In Him you will find and experience the grace of God. So be a wise man/woman this Christmas. Boldly go where all people are welcome - before His Throne of Grace - and give Him the worship He deserves. (Hebrews 4:16)
Live The Victorious Life,
PT
“This is the journey of the ancient Magi, their continuing mission: to explore strange new worlds, to seek out new life, and new civilizations – to boldly go where no man has gone before.” With apologies to Gene Rodenberry – the concept of Star Trek was not really an original idea. The first star trek actually took place long before he ever imagined galaxies filled with Klingons, Romulans and pointy eared Vulcans. The original star trek took place 2000 years ago as the Magi followed a miraculous star to a stable in Bethlehem.
But they weren’t there just because of the miraculous moving star. They knew the moving star would lead them to the eternal star. The star in the sky was only a sign that was leading them to something far brighter. They asked Herod, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews?” How could they possibly know about a King being born to the Jews? Probably because they had read the ancient writings of Daniel.
Almost six hundred years earlier Daniel had been deported as a teenager to Babylon when Jerusalem was conquered. He did more than survive a den of lions; he became a very influential leader in the Babylonian kingdom and a great prophet of God. Daniel wrote his prophecies about 500 years before Jesus was born and gives some very specific information about the arrival of the Messiah. In chapter 9 he predicted from the issuing of the decree to rebuild Jerusalem until the birth of the Anointed One (the King of the Jews) exactly 483 years would elapse. These magi knew exactly when Cyrus gave the official decree for Jerusalem to be rebuilt, so they simply added 483 years and that’s why they were looking for a king at that particular time. They knew when the star would appear. They knew why the star would appear – because the fullness of God’s revealed timing had arrived. They knew what the star signified – the arrival of the King. What they just didn’t know is where they could find the King. That’s why they stopped by Jerusalem to ask, “Where?” After a careful search of Scripture, the answer was found in Micah’s prophecy: He would be born in Bethlehem in Judea. “But you Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel.” (Micah 5:2) Daniel’s prophecy states when – Micah’s prophecy states where.
Now catch this: The question the Magi ask, “Where is the Messiah?” is the first recorded question spoken by a person in the New Testament. In Matthew chapter one, only the angel Gabriel speaks. In Matthew, chapter two, the first recorded words spoken by a human are the magi asking, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? Now think back to the first question found in the Old Testament (discounting the serpent). In Genesis 3:9, God asked Adam, “Where are you?” Adam had lost himself in his sin and was hiding from God. He didn’t want to be found because of the burden of his guilt. So God asks, “Where are you?” Adam couldn’t figure out where he was. Sin does that. It clouds the mind to the point where we can’t understand reality. The entire message of the Old Testament can almost be summarized in the first question God asks sinful mankind, “Where are you?” So in the Old Testament God gives the Law to man as an answer to His own question. The law serves as a revelation to where we are in light of His holiness. Like Adam, each of us must admit we have failed to live up to God’s standards.
Now come forward to the message of the New Testament. Instead of a Holy God asking sinful mankind, “Where are you?” The Magi come asking, “Where is the One? – Where is God?” And God answers the question unequivocally by turning on a spotlight in the sky and says, “Here I am! I took on human flesh and came into the world at Bethlehem in Judea! (just as I said I would) I am with you. I am Immanuel.” “I want you to find Me!” He is One who wants to be found. The moving star, which ultimately stopped over the stable, was simply Jesus’ way of saying, “Hey guys – I’m over here! You’re search is over.” In the New Testament, God focuses not on the law – but rather offers the gift of grace to anyone who will simply respond to His light. He is found not in legalistic obedience to the law – but in receiving the gift of His grace.
So let’s review: Old Testament: God asks man – “Where are you?” God answers His own question; “I will show you where you are through My law.” New Testament: Man asks, “Where is God?” God answers, “I am over here! I am found in the gift of grace which is Christ!” The Magi’s star trek lead them directly to the answer to their question – a question that is in every human heart: “Where can God be found?” He can be found in the gift of grace offered through Jesus Christ.
In one way or another we are all on our own star trek, searching for meaning, purpose, forgiveness, grace and new life. The good news is that if you honestly, seriously seek God, you will always be led to Jesus – the Bright Morning Star (Rev. 22:16) who outshines everything else. In Him you will find and experience the grace of God. So be a wise man/woman this Christmas. Boldly go where all people are welcome - before His Throne of Grace - and give Him the worship He deserves. (Hebrews 4:16)
Live The Victorious Life,
PT
posted by Larry | 3:24 PM
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