Wise men

Wise Men Still Seek Him

Matthew 2:1–12

By Rev. Mark Smith

Introduction

It's a Christmas classic by now, the wonderful story written by Dr. Suess, of how the Grinch stole Christmas. As you know . . .

"Every Who down in Who-ville liked Christmas a lot, but the Grinch, who lived just North of Who-ville, did NOT!"

Why you ask? Perhaps, said Dr. Suess,

"It could be that his head wasn't screwed on quite right.It could be, perhaps, that his shoes were too tight.But I think the most likely reason of all May have been that his heart was two sizes too small."

The story, of course, is really about how the Grinch didn't steal Christmas at all. Yes, he stole the trees, the gifts, the food, the stockings, the lights and the greenery. He took the popcorn, the plums, and every last drop of Who-pudding. By the time the Grinch returned to his wickedly lonely home on top of the mountain overlooking Who-ville, all he left behind was the snow, a few hooks on the wall, and a speck of food so small, even the Who-ville mouse turned up his nose at it.

But, much to his surprise, the Grinch left one thing behind. He somehow, some way, left Christmas in Who-ville!

When the good folks of the village woke up on Christmas morning, they joined hands in the street and sang their songs of Christmas as if it didn't matter that the gifts were gone, that the food was missing, and that the decorations had been stolen.

High on his mountain fortress, it puzzled the Grinch to no end to realize that despite all his work, despite all his evil intent, he hadn't stolen Christmas at all.

He had simply missed it. As Dr. Seuss penned it,

And the Grinch, with his grinch-feet ice-cold in the snow,Stood puzzling and puzzling: "How could it be so?It came without ribbons! It came without tags!"It came without packages, boxes or bags!"And he puzzled three hours, `till his puzzler was sore.Then the Grinch thought of something he hadn't before!"Maybe Christmas," he thought, "doesn't come from a store."Maybe Christmas...perhaps...means a little bit more!"And what happened then...?Well...in Who-ville they say That the Grinch's small heart Grew three sizes that day!And the minute his heart didn't feel quite so tight,He whizzed with his load through the bright morning ligh And he brought back the toys! And the food for the feast!And he......HE HIMSELF...!The Grinch carved the roast beast!

(Source, "How the Grinch Stole Christmas," Dr. Seuss, 1957)

Introduction

As we consider these verses in Matthew chapter 2, it’s important to know that the wise men weren’t looking for Jesus the Messiah, or even Jesus the Savior. They were looking for a newborn, earthly king. God used a new star as a sign of His birth, because people in that day believed that when a king was born, a new star would appear. God sent the star, and the kings went out, seeking a king.

Three truths about seeking and finding Jesus:

Herod the Great; he is thought to be to have been Idumean, a descendant of the Edomites, offspring of Esau

Wise men don’t seek Jesus.

Spiritually speaking, nobody looks for Jesus. It is Jesus who is looking for you (John 6:44; 12:32).

Look at what Jesus says in John 6:44.

John 6:44 (NIV)

44 “No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws them, and I will raise them up at the last day.

John 12:32 (NIV)

32 And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.”

2. You can’t find Jesus without faith.

There are times in life when you’d better get evidence before you believe. However, it is impossible to come to God on that basis (Eph. 2:8; Heb. 11:6; 11:1).

Ephesians 2:8 (NIV)

8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—

Hebrews 11:6 (NIV)

6 And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.

Hebrews 11:1 (NIV)

Faith in Action

11 Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.

3. Those who are wise will find Him (Ps. 32:8; Prov. 2:6).

God gave the kings from the East enough wisdom to follow the star and find the King of kings. This Christmas, He wants to give you enough faith to follow the star and find the Savior.”

Psalm 32:8 (NIV)

8 I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go;

I will counsel you with my loving eye on you.

Proverbs 2:6 (NIV)

6 For the LORD gives wisdom;

from his mouth comes knowledge and understanding.

The fact that Gentiles would offer such worship had prophetic significance as well (Ps. 72:10).

Psalm 72:10 (NIV)

10 May the kings of Tarshish and of distant shores

bring tribute to him.

May the kings of Sheba and Seba

present him gifts.

John F. MacArthur Jr., The MacArthur Bible Commentary (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 2005), Mt 2:11.

Excerpt From

Nelson's Preacher's Sourcebook

Thomas Nelson

https://books.apple.com/us/book/nelsons-preachers-sourcebook/id6443651804

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