- Scripture: Matthew 2:2
- Broadcast Date: 12/14/2015
THE QUESTION OF THE WISE MEN
Matthew 2:2
With the coming of Christmas we have the coming of the wise men.
I have always been interested in these men because they point to Jesus and place emphasis on Him. So they come asking, “Where is He?” A good question and it can be answered several ways. First of all, if you want to find Jesus, you find Him in the bosom of the Father from all eternity. (John 1:18).
Jesus declares that “Thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world.”
(John 17:24). So we find Jesus before creation. Then we find Jesus in the manger of Bethlehem, born of the virgin, coming to earth to take on human flesh, except without sin.
He became flesh so that, in the flesh He would die for the sins of the world. So, it began in the heart of God, then to the manger in Bethlehem, and eventually a cruel cross, securing our redemption. Then again, you will find Jesus in the Temple, twelve years old, disputing with the religious leaders of the day. When questioned, Jesus said that He was doing the Heavenly Father’s business. (Luke 2:49).
That is, He was doing the Father’s will. What a pattern Jesus set for all of us who follow, doing the Father’s will, being about God’s business.
St. Paul admonishes us, “Now then we are ambassadors for Christ”,
(II Cor. 5:20). But let’s continue with the wise men, “Where is He?”.
So we find Jesus in the wilderness being tempted by the devil. Face to face conflict, with Jesus winning, as you might imagine. Matthew tells us, “Then the devil leaveth Him, and, behold, angels came and ministered unto Him.” (Matthew 4:11).
Again, Jesus serves as our model. The devil is still around and he is the devil. You are going to run into him somewhere down the road, and when we do, we do as Jesus showed us, he quoted scripture and resisted him fiercely. James tells us, “Resist the devil and he will flee from you.”
(James 4:7).
Again we ask, “Where is He?”
And in sorrow we find Him on the old, rugged cross. So we see the cross at Christmas.
The cross at Christmas, is that not out of place?
Friend, the cross is never out of place. As a matter-of-fact, the cross is the reason we have Christmas.
Had it not been for our horrendous sins, Jesus never would have had to be born of Mary, would never had to take on Him flesh. It was Immanuel, “God With Us” the Incarnation, God taking flesh, without sin, to die for our sins. Yes, it all revolved about Jesus coming to save us, and it had to have the cross, the old rugged cross. But after the cross, we find Him outside the tomb. The angel tells us, “He is not here, He is Risen”. If you want to find Jesus, don’t go to the cemetery, go to the Mount of Olives and see Him ascending into glory! Praise God.
But, just one more, “Where is He?”
Let me tell you where He is, He is in the heart of His people. So it follows, is He in your heart?
You are not sure? Then listen to Jesus, “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on Him that sent me, HATH everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation: but is passed from death unto life.” (John 5:24).
I pray to God that every one of you knows where Jesus is, He is in your heart.