Gospel in the Seekers

Intro

Read our text Matthew 2:1-12.

Our service this week is to focus on Joy. As the Magi came upon Jesus, they were overjoyed… the ESV says “they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy!”

Psalm 16:11 “You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.”

Our text reveals to us the great work of God, orchestrating for a people a far off to come and worship the King of Kings. Where those in His own land did not recognize the time, though they were to be looking for Him, God brought people from afar to see God incarnate, God made flesh, He who is to dwell among us that we might behold His glory.

Just as the Magi journeyed far to find Jesus, God draws people across vast distances - geographical, cultural, and spiritual - showing that no one is too far from His reaching-love.

I want to share a story that we have captured on video that parallels our story in Matthew’s gospel. Just as the Magi journeyed from distant lands to worship Jesus, today we witness a modern echo of that ancient pilgrimage through the work of Eric Roberts. After years of pastoring a congregation in Bremerton, Eric now serves with Wycliffe Associates, going on his own journey to bring the gift of God's Word to the peoples of Africa.

Much like those wise men who followed the star to find Christ, Eric shares with us about countless individuals across West and East Africa discovering Jesus through Bible translations in their heart languages. Through his work with Wycliffe Associates – distinct from Wycliffe Bible Translators – he helps make God's Word accessible to numerous tribal communities, each with their own unique language and culture.

The video captures scenes reminiscent of the Magi's joy upon finding Jesus. As people encounter Scripture in their native tongue for the first time, their faces light up with the same wonder and reverence that filled those ancient travelers who knelt before the Christ child. Though we may never meet these new believers in person, their story mirrors that timeless journey of discovery and worship recorded in Matthew's gospel – people from far-off lands being drawn by God to worship His Son.

After we hear from Eric, I’ll come back up and share a few thoughts and then we’ll finish out our service.

Watch Video

Some thoughts:

In our text, we see the description of two Kings. King Herod and Jesus, King of the Jews. Jesus has already been presented as the rightful heir, but we will see that the next time the continual use of the word “king” in relationship to Jesus will be when He is crucified and it is used to mock Him.

We’ve already been setup through the geneology of Matthew 1 to know that gentiles will be a part of this unfolding messianic story. It’s the surprising obedience and worship that the Gentiles give that foreshadows the ministry of Jesus. He is already beginning to draw in those who are considered to be outsiders.

What the magi identified in their cultural and religious practices pointed them to the Messiah and compelled them to act. Their worship is accepted, not reviled. Their stories are respected, represented, not denigrated. Their gifts are recieved not rejected.

The story reminds us that the first acts of worship directed to Jesus were ones that would not have been allowed or accepted in the Jerusalem temple or local synagogue. God will reveal Himself wherever people are looking for Him.

The gifts given to Him might bring us back to Genesis 2.

The magi come from the East/Eden was in the East (Genesis 2:8 “Now the Lord God had planted a garden in the east, in Eden; and there he put the man he had formed.”)

Magi present gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh/those elements in the garden (Genesis 2:11–12 “The name of the first is the Pishon; it winds through the entire land of Havilah, where there is gold. (The gold of that land is good; aromatic resin and onyx are also there.)” Bdellium is an aromatic resin likened to myrrh.

These are gifts from the Earth, first given by the Creator, now presented back to him.

As we reflect on both the ancient journey of the Magi and the modern-day journeys of faith across Africa, let's consider our own response to Jesus here in the PNW. In a region often labeled as one of the most unchurched in America, we might sometimes feel discouraged or alone in our faith. Yet these stories – both from Matthew's gospel and from Africa today – remind us that God has always been in the business of drawing unlikely worshippers to Himself.

Just as the Magi used their knowledge, resources, and cultural understanding to seek Jesus, we too can use our unique gifts and positions in the Pacific Northwest to point others to Christ. Whether you're a tech worker in Seattle, a child care worker in Bellingham, or a teacher in Bremerton, God can use your specific context to guide others to Jesus.

The Magi's boldness in their search for Christ challenges us. They weren't deterred by distance, cost, or the potential political consequences of their journey. In our own context, where faith might be met with skepticism or indifference, we're called to show similar courage in our pursuit and worship of Jesus.

Remember, just as God honored the sincere seeking of these Eastern scholars and continues to honor the heartfelt worship of new believers in Africa today, He will honor your faithful witness in your workplace, neighborhood, and community. You don't need to have all the answers or fit a certain religious mold – the Magi certainly didn't. You simply need to be willing to seek Him earnestly and share your journey with others.

Let's be encouraged that we're part of this great, continuing story of God drawing people to Himself. Whether in ancient Bethlehem, modern Africa, or right here in the Pacific Northwest, the same Jesus who received the Magi's worship welcomes all who seek Him with sincere hearts. And like those wise men who were "overjoyed" when they saw the star resting over Jesus, we too can experience that same deep, transcendent joy when we encounter Christ and lead others to Him – a joy that cuts through our region's gray skies and busy lives, reminding us that in Jesus, we have found the greatest treasure of all.

In the season of Advent, we remember that Jesus has come, but we also anticipate His coming again.

God will reveal Himself wherever people are looking for Him.

Do you know Him. Do you know that He came to save us from sin. He has come to save us from the penalty and power of sin in our lives and will one day save us from the presence of sin and we will be in His presence.

Do you need that forgiveness today? Have you yet to receive that gift of being born again, alive to Him, forgiven, filled with the Holy Spirit and power, given a peace that passes all understanding? Are you tired of settling for a counterfeit culture and want the real life that Jesus offers? The invitation has been given, you only need to receive it. If so, pray with me.

Let’s pray

I want to encourage you, that if God moves on your heart to support this work, I would love to be able to get Eric’s information into your hands if you were unable to capture that QR code.