“Looking for Jesus!”

Matthew 2:1–12 CSB

After Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of King Herod, wise men from the east arrived in Jerusalem, saying, “Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star at its rising and have come to worship him.” When King Herod heard this, he was deeply disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him. So he assembled all the chief priests and scribes of the people and asked them where the Messiah would be born. “In Bethlehem of Judea,” they told him, “because this is what was written by the prophet: And you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah: Because out of you will come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel.” Then Herod secretly summoned the wise men and asked them the exact time the star appeared. He sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search carefully for the child. When you find him, report back to me so that I too can go and worship him.” After hearing the king, they went on their way. And there it was—the star they had seen at its rising. It led them until it came and stopped above the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they were overwhelmed with joy. Entering the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother, and falling to their knees, they worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts: gold, frankincense, and myrrh. And being warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their own country by another route.

Matthew 2 introduces us to a group of “Wise Men” looking for a King: “…Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we have seen his star at its rising and have come to worship him.”

From these men we learn several lessons about those who are looking for Jesus! When you are seeking Jesus, you will…

1. Run Into OPPOSITION – (2:1-8)

Matthew 2:3 CSB

When King Herod heard this, he was deeply disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him.

(v.3) – When you go looking for Jesus it will disturb some; others will not understand.

Many people are made uncomfortable—not necessarily happy or content, but uncomfortable when someone begins to seek God. “Why would you want to ‘get religion’?”

There will ALWAYS be CRITICS; there will always be OPPOSITION!

2 Timothy 3:12 CSB

In fact, all who want to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.

2. Encounter FALSE FOLLOWERS – (2:7-8)

Herod LIED to the wise men. He was not ZEALOUS for Jesus, he was JEALOUS of Him! He didn’t want to WORSHIP Him, he wanted to KILL Him!

When you look for Jesus, you may find people who look and sound like the real thing, but they have an entirely different agenda!

Acts 20:28–31 CSB

Be on guard for yourselves and for all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has appointed you as overseers, to shepherd the church of God, which he purchased with his own blood. I know that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock. Men will rise up even from your own number and distort the truth to lure the disciples into following them. Therefore be on the alert, remembering that night and day for three years I never stopped warning each one of you with tears.

3. You Will FIND HIM – (2:11a)

When you look for Jesus, you will find Him!

Matthew 7:7–8 CSB

“Ask, and it will be given to you. Seek, and you will find. Knock, and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.

Psalm 32:6 CSB

Therefore let everyone who is faithful pray to you immediately. When great floodwaters come, they will not reach him.

Isaiah 55:6 CSB

Seek the Lord while he may be found; call to him while he is near.

The wise men followed the Star, and they found the Son!

William Barclay – “When the Wise Men came into the presence of Jesus, the Star faded into the background. As the Moon reflects the glory and brilliance of our Sun, so the Star that guided the Wise Men was merely a reflection of the Son of God, the Light of the world.”

4. Understand the Trip Was WORTH IT – (2:10)

They didn’t come to the house and say, “Is this it?” They were ‘overwhelmed’ with joy!

All the miles, all the struggles, all the dangers, sitting on that camel’s hump for the long journey was worth it!

(Matthew 13:44) – “…Then in his joy”

Unfortunately, many go through the entire Christmas holiday and never look for Jesus!

Consequently, when the holiday ends, they say, “Is this it?”

5. WORSHIP HIM – (2:11b)

The wise men were so overwhelmed, “…falling to their knees, they worshiped him.”

They didn’t come with empty hands saying, “What can you do for us? What can you give us?”

Instead, they came with full hands and overwhelming hearts to give their very best to Him – (v.11b)

6. Go Home a DIFFERENT WAY – (2:12)

The Wise Men went home DIFFERENT! Not only geographically, but a different way personally!

The same is true of us. When you find Jesus, you will never be the same!

I sometimes think back to how different I am since Jesus came into my life. Sometimes finding God DOES change your geography! I’d still be in Northern Indiana or hauling logs in Montana.