Traveling a Different Road - Nov. 30th, 2025

Passage: Matthew 2:1–12 (KJV)

Central Idea of the Text: The Magi from the East worshiped the newborn Jesus in Bethlehem and, being divinely warned, returned home by another route[1][2].

Sermonic Proposition: When we truly worship Jesus as Lord, our lives must follow a new and different path under God’s direction.

Statement of Purpose: Evangelistic – I want my hearers to encounter Jesus in true worship and leave behind their old ways, walking on a new path of obedience and faith in Christ.

Introduction:

Have you ever had to take a surprise detour that changed your route home? I remember a road trip where an accident shut down the main highway. I was warned by a traffic report, and I had no choice but to find an alternate road. At first I was frustrated, the new route was unfamiliar and out of the way. But that “different road” turned out to be a blessing. It bypassed the wreck, and along the way I saw beautiful countryside I would have missed otherwise. In hindsight, I was grateful I heeded the warning and changed course. Sometimes a detour can save your life.

In our Scripture today, we meet some travelers who also changed their road after receiving a warning from God. Matthew 2:1–12 tells the story of the wise men (the Magi) who journeyed far to find Jesus. They came one way, but after worshiping the child King, they departed “into their own country another way” (Matt. 2:12). In a very literal sense, an encounter with Christ led them to travel a different road home. And what was true for those wise men is spiritually true for us: no one who genuinely meets Jesus goes back the same way they came. True worship of Christ will always lead to a changed path in life.

This morning, as we explore the historical journey of the wise men, we’ll see how God guided these seekers to His Son, how they responded in joyful worship and sacrifice, and how their encounter with Christ altered their course. My prayer is that each of us will likewise bow in true worship and allow God to send us out on a new road, a road of transformation, obedience, and new life. If you have truly worshiped Jesus, it will show in the path you take when you leave. Let’s learn from the wise men’s example that “Traveling a Different Road” is part of genuine worship.

(Scripture Reading – Matthew 2:1–12)

Matthew 2:1–12 KJV

1 Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, 2 Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him. 3 When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. 4 And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he demanded of them where Christ should be born. 5 And they said unto him, In Bethlehem of Judaea: for thus it is written by the prophet, 6 And thou Bethlehem, in the land of Juda, art not the least among the princes of Juda: for out of thee shall come a Governor, that shall rule my people Israel. 7 Then Herod, when he had privily called the wise men, enquired of them diligently what time the star appeared. 8 And he sent them to Bethlehem, and said, Go and search diligently for the young child; and when ye have found him, bring me word again, that I may come and worship him also. 9 When they had heard the king, they departed; and, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was. 10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy. 11 And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh. 12 And being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way.

I. God Guides Those Who Earnestly Seek Christ (Matthew 2:1-6)

Matthew’s account begins, “

Matthew 2:1 KJV

1 Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem,

Let’s pause and consider who these “wise men” were.

The term “wise men” (Greek magoi) refers to learned advisors or priests from the East[3]. History suggests they were likely from the region of Babylon or Persia, part of a class of scholars who studied the stars and ancient texts[3][4]. These Magi had considerable knowledge and probably access to Jewish prophecies (remember, many Jews had lived in Babylon during the exile, and prophetic writings could have circulated there). They were Gentiles by birth, yet they hungered to find the King of the Jews. These men embarked on a long journey, possibly hundreds of miles across desert and mountains, because they saw an extraordinary star and believed it signaled the birth of a great King. Think of their dedication: traveling for weeks or months, at significant expense, all to seek truth and worship the promised Messiah. They illustrate the proverb, “wise men still seek Him.”

Arriving in Jerusalem, the capital, they began asking,

Matthew 2:2 KJV

2 Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.

This was no small stir. Imagine the scene: a caravan of foreign dignitaries, likely with regal clothing and perhaps a military escort, showing up unannounced. They are asking the locals, “Where’s the newborn King?” Jerusalem’s residents were baffled, no royal baby had been born in the palace recently. King Herod the Great, an aging and paranoid ruler, was

Matthew 2:3 KJV

3 When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him.

Herod had clawed his way to the throne and was notorious for eliminating any threat (he even killed members of his own family out of jealousy[5][6]). So when Herod hears about a “King of the Jews” born under a miraculous star, he senses a threat to his power. The whole city holds its breath, knowing how Herod might react.

Herod responds with a façade of spiritual interest. He calls an emergency meeting of the chief priests and scribes, the Bible scholars of the day, and inquires

Matthew 2:4 KJV

4 And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he demanded of them where Christ should be born.

These religious experts, to their credit, know the answer right away. They cite the prophecy of Micah 5:2, which foretold that the Messiah would be born in Bethlehem of Judaea:

Matthew 2:5–6 KJV

5 And they said unto him, In Bethlehem of Judaea: for thus it is written by the prophet, 6 And thou Bethlehem, in the land of Juda, art not the least among the princes of Juda: for out of thee shall come a Governor, that shall rule my people Israel.

God had already given clear guidance in Scripture about the birthplace of His Son. The priests pass this information on to Herod, and by extension to the wise men. Thus, it was ultimately God’s Word that pointed the Magi to the exact location of the King[1]. We should note: the star got their attention and brought them to the general vicinity, but Scripture provided the specifics, Bethlehem was the place. “It was not astrology that led these wise men to Christ, but Old Testament prophecy… coupled with the moving of the star to Bethlehem”[1]. God in His grace gave these seekers just enough light for the next step: a star to begin their journey and His Word to complete it.

Before we move on, consider the contrast here.

The Gentile wise men traveled a long distance, eagerly following the light God gave them. Meanwhile, the Jewish chief priests and scribes, who lived only six miles from Bethlehem and knew the prophecy, did not bother to go worship the Messiah! The ones who had the most knowledge showed the least interest, and the ones with the least background (Gentile foreigners) showed the most faith. It’s a sobering reminder that religious knowledge alone doesn’t save us or stir our hearts. We must be willing to act on the truth we know. The Magi acted, they likely said, “Bethlehem? That’s just down the road! Let’s go at once.” But the priests and scribes, and certainly Herod, had no intent of bowing to this newborn King. They wouldn’t travel those few miles to seek Him. How tragic when people who have God’s truth at their fingertips become indifferent to it.

This leads to our first application:

God faithfully guides those who earnestly seek Christ.

The wise men had only a fragment of revelation, a star and perhaps some prophetic hints, but they responded in faith and set out. And God guided them step by step until they found Jesus.

Our Lord promises in Scripture, “ye shall seek Me, and find Me, when ye shall search for Me with all your heart” (Jeremiah 29:13, KJV). These wise men searched with all their hearts, and they indeed found Him.

God still rewards spiritual seekers today. If anyone genuinely wants to know the truth and is willing to follow it, God will provide the light needed to lead them to Christ.

Jesus said, “Seek, and ye shall find” (Matthew 7:7). We see this principle throughout the Bible. Another example is the Ethiopian official in Acts 8: he was reading Scripture and earnestly seeking God, so God sent Philip to explain the gospel to him. The Ethiopian found salvation that day. Likewise, Cornelius in Acts 10 was a Gentile seeking God; the Lord sent Peter to bring him the message of Christ. God orchestrates circumstances, sends messengers, and provides His Word for those who sincerely seek Him.

So, are we seeking Christ earnestly? This challenge applies in two ways. First, to anyone who has not yet trusted Jesus as Savior: are you truly searching for God’s King? He has given you plenty of light, the testimony of creation, the truth of the Bible, perhaps a Christian friend’s witness, but you must respond. Don’t be like Herod, clinging to your throne, or like the apathetic priests who wouldn’t take a short walk to meet the Messiah. Be like the Magi: step out in faith toward Jesus. If you do, God will guide you right to Him. Second, to those of us who are believers: do we still seek the Lord with that kind of passion? The wise men traveled far and endured hardship to be in Jesus’ presence. Sometimes we struggle to roll out of bed and drive a few minutes to church. They longed to worship Him; do we have that longing daily? God’s guidance is promised to the earnest seeker. “The Lord is with you, while ye be with Him; and if ye seek Him, He will be found of you” (2 Chronicles 15:2). Let’s cultivate the heart of a wise man, diligently pursuing Christ. Open your Bible (the clear light God has given) and follow where it leads. He may not send a miraculous star for us, but He has given “a lamp unto [our] feet, and a light unto [our] path” (Psalm 119:105). Follow that light. And as you do, trust that God will providentially position everything, even unusual “stars” or circumstances, to get you where you need to be. He guides those who set their heart to find His Son.

Transition:

The wise men did indeed follow God’s guidance. Armed with the prophecy of Bethlehem, they set out from Jerusalem once more. And as they did, God gave them another confirmation. Matthew 2:9 says,

Matthew 2:9 KJV

9 When they had heard the king, they departed; and, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was.

That miraculous star reappeared, moving ahead of them on the short road to Bethlehem and then stopping over the exact house where Jesus was[2][7]. What an encouragement from God, like a final divine GPS marker saying, “This is the place!” No wonder the next verse says

Matthew 2:10 KJV

10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy.

Their long journey was about to reach its climax.

Now we move from seeking to worshiping.

Having been guided to Christ, what will these weary travelers do?

II. True Worship Involves Joyful Sacrifice to Jesus (Matthew 2:7–11)

In verses 7–8 (just prior to their departure for Bethlehem), King Herod had secretly summoned the wise men. He extracted from them the exact time the star first appeared, and feigned piety by saying,

Matthew 2:7–8 KJV

7 Then Herod, when he had privily called the wise men, enquired of them diligently what time the star appeared. 8 And he sent them to Bethlehem, and said, Go and search diligently for the young child; and when ye have found him, bring me word again, that I may come and worship him also.

(Of course, we know Herod had no intention of worship, he wanted to eliminate a rival. Later verses reveal that Herod plotted to kill the child, which is why he was so keen to know when the star appeared. That timing detail would figure into his cruel decree to slaughter infants under two years old.)

But at this moment, the Magi do not know Herod’s evil intent. They might have been a bit puzzled that none of Herod’s officials were accompanying them to Bethlehem. Nevertheless, they continue on their mission, obedient to the light God gave.

As we just noted, their joy overflowed when the mysterious star appeared again and led them directly to the house.

Picture the scene in Bethlehem: perhaps it’s evening, and this brilliant light moves ahead of them and comes to rest above one particular humble dwelling.

The Magi cannot contain their excitement, “they rejoiced with exceeding great joy” (Mt. 2:10). At last, their destination!

This is the culmination of all their hopes and studies and miles of travel.

What a reminder that true worship begins with joy in Jesus. These men haven’t even seen Him yet, but their hearts are leaping at the prospect. Our worship services should be marked by that same “great joy” at the thought of meeting with our Savior.

Now verse 11 describes one of the most beautiful moments in Scripture:

Matthew 2:11 KJV

11 And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh.

Notice several important details here.

First, they come into the house, this indicates some time has passed since Jesus’ birth in the stable. Mary and Joseph are now in a house in Bethlehem. Jesus is called a “young child,” suggesting He might be a toddler by this time (perhaps a few months up to nearly two years old). God’s timing brought the wise men to Jesus, not to the manger scene with shepherds (those were two separate events, possibly up to two years apart).

Second, when they see Jesus with His mother Mary, they ignore the surroundings and fall to their knees. These esteemed scholars from a far country “fell down” in the presence of a poor carpenter’s wife and her little boy. What humility! They do not ask for proof that this child is royalty. They have faith that God’s sign has led them aright. Here is the newborn King, even though He doesn’t look like a king to the natural eye. Jesus likely was dressed in ordinary infant clothes, in an ordinary home. Yet the Magi discern by faith the true identity of this Child.

They prostrate themselves and worship Him. What a sight: perhaps three (or more) grown men, richly attired, bowing low on a dirt floor before a toddler on His mother’s lap. Mary herself must have been in awe, silently watching these foreign nobles honor her son. They gave worship to Jesus that was reserved only for deity and kings. This affirms an important doctrinal truth: Jesus, even as a young child, is worthy of worship. He is God in the flesh, Emmanuel, and deserves our adoration.

The wise men recognized in Him someone far greater than themselves, and they humbled themselves accordingly.

Third, their worship wasn’t empty-handed. Matthew is careful to detail how they “opened their treasures” and “presented unto Him gifts.” True worship not only bows the knee; it also opens the treasury of the heart. These gifts were not leftovers or cheap trinkets; they were costly treasures fit for a king. Gold, frankincense, and myrrh were among the finest commodities of the ancient world. Gold needs little explanation, it was then, as now, extremely valuable and a symbol of royalty and honor. Frankincense is a fragrant resin used as incense, often in worship and as a perfume; it was expensive and associated with priestly rituals (in the Jerusalem Temple, frankincense was used in the grain offerings and as a sweet savor to God, cf. Leviticus 2:1-2, 24:7). Myrrh is another costly resin, used in perfumes, incense, and also notably in burial spices. In fact, myrrh was used to anoint bodies for burial (John 19:39-40). Why these three gifts in particular? On a practical level, they were valuable resources that Joseph and Mary could use (perhaps financing their upcoming flight to Egypt and the young child’s needs). But many Christians have also seen a deeper symbolism in them: gold for Christ’s kingship, frankincense pointing to His deity and priestly role (a fragrant offering), and myrrh foreshadowing His suffering and death, a hint that this King would one day die for His people[8][9]. Whether the Magi fully understood all this is unknown, but God’s Spirit certainly superintended their gifts to tell a larger story. As one commentator notes, “these three gifts signified the threefold office of Christ as prophet, priest, and king”[10]. In any case, the Magi gave Jesus their very best. “Giving to the King was a direct part of their worship,” one expositor writes[11], and so it should be for us. True worship involves offering up something valuable to the Lord: our praise, our resources, our time, our obedience, our very lives as a living sacrifice.

Let’s apply this to our own worship.

The wise men’s example teaches that real worship is joyful, humble, and sacrificial. They rejoiced greatly, do we approach worship with joy, anticipating meeting Jesus? They fell down, do we humble ourselves, recognizing Christ’s supreme worth and our unworthiness? And they gave their treasures, do we offer our best to the Lord, or merely token gifts? Giving is an integral part of worship. When we pass the offering plate or help someone in need or devote our abilities to God’s service, we are “opening our treasures” to Jesus. The Apostle Paul spoke of believers who gave financially as offering “a fragrant smell, a sacrifice acceptable, wellpleasing to God” (Philippians 4:18). It’s like spiritual frankincense rising up to the Lord. Each of us can ask: What “gold, frankincense, and myrrh” can I present to Jesus? We’re not likely to have literal gold bars or costly spices lying around, but we have affections, talents, and material blessings that we can lay at His feet.

Is there something precious that you’ve been holding back from the Lord? The greatest treasure He wants is you, your heart yielded to Him. When we sing “I surrender all,” that’s the spirit of the Magi. They traveled all that way not to get something, but to give, to honor Jesus. And notice, they gave before Jesus had apparently done anything for them. At this point, Jesus is still a child. They didn’t receive a miracle or a teaching from Him first. They gave out of faith and love, not in exchange for favors. So it is with genuine worship: we love Him because of who He is, not merely for what we can get.

Their story also reminds us that worship can be inconvenient and costly. Those gifts cost them money; the journey cost them time and comfort. Likewise, worshiping Jesus will cost us something. It might be time that we could spend elsewhere, or pride that we have to swallow to bow before Him, or resources we generously give. King David once said, “I will not offer burnt offerings to the Lord my God of that which doth cost me nothing” (2 Samuel 24:24).

If our worship never has any sacrifice to it, maybe we’re not truly worshiping, but just going through motions. The wise men likely considered their sacrifices small compared to the honor of seeing the Christ child. Do we count it a joy to give ourselves to Jesus? One famous missionary, Jim Elliot, who ultimately gave his life for Christ, wrote in his journal, “He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose.” Indeed, whatever we lay down for the Lord, whether treasures, time, or even our lives, is never lost. It is invested in the One who is worthy and who grants eternal reward.

The Magi no doubt left Bethlehem poorer in goods but richer in spirit. I can imagine them walking out of that little house with lighter camels but fuller hearts, maybe saying to each other, “We have seen the face of our Savior-King!” They gained far more than they gave.

One more application:

The focus of their worship was entirely on Jesus. They did not worship Mary, though she was there; they did not seek honor for themselves or try to publicize their journey. They centered their adoration on “the young child.”

In our worship, we must keep Jesus at the center. All the trappings, music, liturgy, traditions, are secondary. The question is, are we at the feet of Jesus, adoring Him and offering ourselves? Worship is “all about Him.” Like Mary of Bethany later broke her alabaster box of ointment to anoint Jesus (John 12:3), filling the house with fragrance, so these wise men have “broken open” their treasures for Christ. True worship has a fragrance, the aroma of devotion and generosity that fills the house. Jesus is pleased with such worship. In Mary’s case, He said, “She hath done a good work… Wheresoever this gospel shall be preached… this also that she hath done shall be spoken of for a memorial of her” (Mark 14:6, 9). In the Magi’s case, God memorialized their act forever in Scripture. We are still talking about it 2,000 years later! God is seeking worshipers who will worship Him in spirit and in truth (John 4:23). The Magi were among the first of millions of Gentiles to come and worship Christ. They brought costly gifts. But truly, the greatest gift in that house was the One they worshiped, God gave His Son to us. Our giving is only a response to His grace.

So let’s worship like the wise men, with exceeding joy, with deep humility, and with open-handed generosity to Jesus. When you pray and sing, fall down in your heart before Him. When you serve or give, do it as a precious gift to your King.

Say like King David, “What shall I render unto the Lord for all His benefits toward me?” (Psalm 116:12). The only fitting answer is to give Him all. He deserves our gold (our best possessions), our frankincense (our worship and prayers rising to God), and our myrrh (even our willingness to suffer or die for Him if necessary). That is true worship.

And when we worship in that way, it will change us. Which brings us to the final point, after the worship, the way was different.

III. Genuine Encounters with Christ Lead to a New Path (Matthew 2:12)

Having fulfilled their mission of worship, the wise men now faced a decision:

Should they report back to King Herod as instructed or not? Herod had ordered them to return with news. But God intervened to protect His Son and to guide these men once more. Matthew 2:12 says,

Matthew 2:12 KJV

12 And being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way.

This single verse encapsulates our sermon’s title and big idea.

After meeting Jesus, the Magi literally traveled by a different road. God warned them in a dream, perhaps the very night after they saw Jesus, that going back to Herod would be dangerous (and disobedient to God’s plan). Herod meant harm, not homage. So these men, who had been so obedient to come, now were equally obedient to depart by a new route. They might have had to chart an unfamiliar path around Jerusalem, maybe taking back roads or a longer way home. It didn’t matter; they had to choose between pleasing an earthly king (Herod) or the heavenly King they had just worshiped. It’s obvious whom they chose: they obeyed God rather than man. They likely left quietly, under cover of darkness, heading east by a southern route to avoid Jerusalem. In doing so, they avoided becoming informants for Herod’s wicked scheme. They probably never saw Herod again, and that was for the best. God safeguarded them and the holy family by this warning.

Now, beyond the immediate narrative of safety and obedience, there lies a powerful symbolic truth:

No one who truly encounters Jesus leaves the same way they came. The Magi’s external route changed, but this reflected an internal change as well.

Think about it, how could those men ever be the same after kneeling before the Messiah? Their hearts were undoubtedly transformed. They had seen God’s promised King with their own eyes. Perhaps as they journeyed home, they talked not about astrology or philosophy as before, but about the Scriptures, the God of Israel, and the hope of salvation for all people.

They had become, in a sense, the first Gentile worshipers of Christ, and likely the first missionaries to their own land. I imagine them arriving back in Persia or Babylon and excitedly telling their compatriots, “The King has been born! We saw Him!” They may have shared the gospel in seed form long before any apostle reached the East.

Truly, meeting Jesus put them on a new path, physically and spiritually.

In Scripture, whenever people truly meet the Lord, a change occurs. Consider the Apostle Paul: on the road to Damascus, he encountered the risen Christ and never walked the same direction again. He literally turned from persecuting Christians to being a preacher of Christ. Or think of Zacchaeus in Luke 19: he met Jesus and immediately his crooked financial dealings were turned around, he repented and made restitution, walking a new path of honesty and generosity. The demoniac of Gadara (Mark 5) went from running among tombs to sitting clothed and in his right mind at Jesus’ feet, then went home proclaiming what great things the Lord had done.

Time and again, a real experience with God produces real transformation.

“If any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new” (2 Corinthians 5:17).

That’s not just a theoretical statement, it’s reality.

In salvation, God changes our direction. He gives us a new heart, new desires, and sets us on the path of eternal life.

We turn from sin to God, from darkness to light, from our own way to God’s way. This is what the biblical word “repentance” entails, a change of mind and direction. The wise men demonstrate repentance in a literal sense: they did not go back the way of Herod. In the same way, when we come to Christ, we must not go back to our old master (the Herod of this world, representing sin and Satan). The Magi likely had been tempted by Herod’s prestige or reward, but now they knew:

Herod stands for deception and death, while Jesus stands for truth and life. You can’t serve both. Jesus said, “No man can serve two masters” (Matthew 6:24). The Magi made their choice, they chose God’s voice over Herod’s voice.

Every believer faces that ongoing choice: will I return to the world’s way, or continue on the new and living way with Christ?

For us today, the message is clear:

True worship leads to obedience and change. If we claim to have worshiped Jesus on Sunday, but Monday we’re walking the same old path of disobedience, did we really encounter Him? Each time we meet with the Lord, whether in personal prayer or corporate worship, there should be a “leaving another way.” Perhaps that means leaving with a new conviction about a sin to forsake, or a new encouragement to fuel our faith, or a renewed commitment to follow God’s call. We shouldn’t walk out of church unchanged, as if it were just a ritual. Meeting Jesus ought to put us on a different road than before. I fear that many people attend church but go home the same way, carrying the same bitterness, clinging to the same habits, ignoring God’s warnings. Let that not be said of us. When God warns us through His Word, maybe not in a dream as He did with the Magi, but in a sermon or a scripture that pricks our conscience, we must heed that warning!

Is God telling you to avoid a certain path of temptation? Don’t go back that way. Is He directing your steps in a new direction of service or surrender? Don’t hesitate to obey.

The road of obedience may be a longer or harder road, but it is the road of safety and blessing.

The Magi took what was likely a longer way home, but it was a God-prescribed way, and thus it preserved their lives and furthered God’s plan.

Allow me to share a personal testimony here.

In my own life, there was a time when God clearly set me on a “different road.” As a young teenager in High School, I had my own plans mapped out, a certain career path I intended to follow. I was a Christian, but truth be told, I was still trying to chart my own course. Then came a season when the Lord really got a hold of my heart, through studying Scripture and truly worshiping Him in deeper ways, I began to sense He had a different plan for me. It was as if God was warning me in my spirit, “Don’t go back to Herod’s way, the way of pursuing your ambitions without Me. I have another way for you.” That “Herod” for me was the lure of personal success and comfort. But in moments of prayer and worship, God was calling me to something higher, in fact, to preach His Word and serve His people. It was a daunting prospect; it meant a major change of direction, like taking an unfamiliar detour. But I’m so glad by His grace I listened. I can honestly say that when I surrendered to Jesus’ lordship and calling, He set my life on an entirely new road, one I hadn’t originally planned, but which has been filled with His presence and blessings. I often think: what if I had “gone back” to my old plans? I would have missed out on God’s best. Like those wise men, I had to choose whom to listen to. And like them, I found that obeying God’s direction leads to joy and fulfillment far greater than anything the old path held. Perhaps you’ve experienced something similar, a time when meeting Jesus or yielding more fully to Him changed your trajectory. Those are holy moments, memorial stones in our journey.

Maybe someone here today is at a crossroads. You’ve encountered Jesus, perhaps you’ve even been a churchgoer for a long time, but you’ve been tempted to go back to “Herod” in some area. The world might be calling you to return to an old habit or to compromise your newfound faith.

Hear the warning from God’s Spirit:

Don’t do it! Don’t go back to the old master who only wants to destroy.

The wise men were wise indeed, they didn’t fall for Herod’s trap. Ephesians 5:15 says, “See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise.” A wise person, having worshiped the Savior, will choose a new path in line with God’s Word. That might mean cutting off a toxic relationship, changing your entertainment choices, altering how you use your money, whatever God’s Word convicts you about.

Let me be even more direct:

If you profess to have found Jesus, but your lifestyle and values are no different from before, something is wrong. Real worship produces real repentance. It doesn’t mean we become perfect overnight, but it does mean there’s a new direction. As the hymn “Amazing Grace” says, “How precious did that grace appear, the hour I first believed.” But it doesn’t stop there, “’Tis grace hath brought me safe thus far, and grace will lead me home.” Grace leads us on a new road home, ultimately to heaven, but also in daily living.

The path of the righteous is like a shining light (Proverbs 4:18), whereas the path we used to tread was darkness. So ask yourself: Since I met Jesus, what new road am I traveling? Can you identify ways in which your path is different, your priorities, your attitudes, your direction?

If not, perhaps you need to truly encounter Him, perhaps for the first time in salvation, or if you are saved, in a fresh surrender that says, “Lord, I will obey Your voice and not turn back.”

One more thought:

The phrase “another way” in verse 12 not only speaks to our individual transformation, but also hints at the broader scope of God’s plan.

The wise men, representing the nations, were directed away from Jerusalem (the old religious center, which for the moment was under corrupt leadership) and sent on their way back to their own land with the knowledge of Christ. It’s as if God was saying, “My Son will be made known among the Gentiles, but not through Herod, through a different way.” Already, the gospel was starting its journey to the ends of the earth by an alternate route. In our day, God’s ways of advancing His kingdom often defy human expectation. He may use unexpected people (like these foreign Magi) and send them by unexpected routes, but His purposes will stand. Our job is to follow His lead, even when it departs from the beaten path.

As we close this point, let’s remember:

Worshiping Jesus should lead us to walk differently when we leave.

Each Sunday (or each devotion time) is meant to be a launching point for a week lived on God’s road. We bow before Him in here so that we can obey Him out there.

The “altar” leads to the “altar-ed” life, if you will.

I encourage you, don’t just be moved in a moment of worship and then meander back to the old routine. Be like the Magi, let your encounter with Christ set your feet on a new path of righteousness, faith, and purpose.

The prophet Isaiah said, “And thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying, ‘This is the way, walk ye in it’, when ye turn to the right hand, and when ye turn to the left” (Isaiah 30:21). God is faithful to direct us. We need to keep our ears open to His warnings and guidance, then choose His way. It’s always the “highway of holiness” (Isaiah 35:8) that leads to joy and life, whereas the way of sin leads to destruction.

Transition to Conclusion:

The wise men’s journey ended in a different way than it started, and that made all the difference. They came in search of a King; they left having bowed to the King of Kings. They came with questions; they left with joy and assurance. They came on one road; they returned on God’s road for their lives. Each of us, in encountering Jesus, is called to travel a different road from that point on.

Conclusion

Matthew doesn’t tell us what became of those wise men after they returned to their country. But I suspect their lives were never the same. They had met Jesus. And when you meet Jesus, you can’t go back to business-as-usual. Tradition (unproven but interesting) even gives names to the Magi, Melchior, Balthasar, and Gaspar, and suggests they might have later received the gospel in its fullness. We don’t know for sure. What we do know is what we must do having heard their story.

This ancient narrative holds a mirror up to us today. We’ve seen three key truths: (1) God guides those who genuinely seek Christ, so are you seeking Him? (2) True worship of Jesus involves joyfully giving Him our best, are you worshiping wholeheartedly, surrendering what is precious to Him? (3) A real encounter with Christ demands a changed direction, are you willing to walk a new path of obedience and leave the old ways behind?

Let me speak first to anyone here who has not yet trusted in Christ as Savior and Lord.

You might relate to the wise men in this, you’re searching. You’ve seen some light; you’re curious about Jesus. Friend, God orchestrated all of history to bring His Son into the world for you. Jesus is not just the King of the Jews; He’s the Savior of all who will believe. He later died on the cross and rose again so that sinners from every nation could be saved. Perhaps God in His providence has warned you or stirred you, much like He warned the Magi in that dream. Maybe you feel a warning in your soul right now, a warning not to return to the destructive path you’ve been on, a call to “turn your eyes upon Jesus.” This is your moment to “travel a different road.”

The Bible word is “repent”: to turn from sin and self and trust Jesus Christ.

I invite you today: come and bow before the King. You don’t need gold or incense; you just need a humble heart that says, “Lord, I’m Yours.” The wise men brought gifts, but what Christ truly wants from you is your heart in faith. When you give Him that, He will forgive your sins and set you on the road to eternal life. You truly will go home another way, a way of peace with God. Just as the Magi’s journey ended in exceeding joy, your life’s journey can take on a new joy and purpose from this day forward.

Don’t ignore the light you’ve been given. Don’t go back to Herod (the enemy of your soul who only seeks to ruin you).

Choose Jesus. The road of faith may be narrow and less traveled, but it leads to life (Matthew 7:14).

For those who have already met Jesus, my fellow believers, the challenge for us is to continually live out this truth:

True worship leads to a changed life. We must guard against the routine of coming to church, offering token worship, and then returning to the same old patterns unchanged. God forbid that our Christianity is only a Sunday costume with no weekday impact. Every time we open the Bible or sing His praise, let’s expect God to direct us. He may correct our course or call us to a deeper step of obedience.

Be sensitive to His warnings and promptings. Is He warning you, like He did the wise men, about some “Herod” influence in your life? Perhaps there’s a sinful habit or an unhealthy relationship, and God’s Spirit is saying, “My child, don’t go that way anymore.” Listen and obey, take a different road! Is He prompting you to do something new, maybe serve in a ministry, reconcile with someone, or step out in faith in some area? That might be your “new road” of obedience. Trust Him and go for it. You won’t regret obeying God.

The Magi surely never regretted their choice to obey the dream’s warning; it spared them and honored God. Likewise, you will not regret taking God’s detour that leads you closer to Him.

Picture those wise men one more time riding off into the sunrise on the road back home. I wonder if one turned to the other with a smile and said, “You know, brothers, we’ll never be the same after this.” I believe they wouldn’t, they had beheld Christ, and that changes everything. May the same be said of us.

When people look at our lives, let them see that we have “been with Jesus” (Acts 4:13) and that we’re walking a transformed path. Let’s resolve that after encountering the Lord, we will not go back the same way we came.

Call to Action:

If God has spoken to your heart today, maybe you realize you need to bow before Jesus for the first time, or maybe as a Christian you need to surrender a certain treasure or change a direction, I urge you: respond now. Don’t delay like those chief priests who stayed in Jerusalem and missed the blessing. Don’t toy with Herod’s offer and endanger your soul. Instead, come to Jesus in prayer. Lay your life at His feet. He invites us all on a journey, a journey of faith that indeed travels a different road than the world. It may not always be easy, but He promises to lead us all the way to our true home with Him.

You can pray something like, “Lord Jesus, I worship You. You are my King and my God. Take my life, my gold, frankincense, and myrrh, all I have is Yours. Guide me in the road You want me to travel. Give me courage to obey Your voice and never return to the old ways. Change me as I follow You.” If you pray that sincerely, the Lord will answer.

The wise men departed Bethlehem changed and full of joy. You too can depart this service on a new road, forgiven, directed by God, and filled with joy and purpose. That is what Jesus, the King born in Bethlehem, does for those who worship Him.

So today, let’s all commit to “traveling a different road.” Leave your burdens and sins at Jesus’ feet, and rise up to walk in His footsteps. Be wise men and women: follow the Light, bow to the King, and obey His direction. Then you will find, just as the Magi did, that God’s way home is filled with His presence and exceeding great joy. Amen.

Closing Prayer: O God of heaven, who led the wise men by a star to find Your Son, lead us now by Your Word and Spirit in the way we should go. We bow before Jesus our King, we offer You our worship and our lives. Forgive us for when we have approached You half-heartedly or returned unchanged. Today we declare: We will follow You on whatever road You set before us. Help each person here to take that next step of faith and obedience. May we leave this gathering walking closer to You, on the narrow road that leads to life. Thank You for Jesus, the One who not only calls us to a different road but walks it with us. As we go, let our lives shine as testimonies, like stars pointing others to Christ. In His precious name we pray, Amen.[2][12]

HYPERLINK "https://drive.google.com/file/d/169efSBVoaZ99Sfmrml7-TZcfFFj85eZo" \h[1] [2] [3] [4] [7] 01 Matthew Vol 1.pdf

https://drive.google.com/file/d/169efSBVoaZ99Sfmrml7-TZcfFFj85eZo

[5] [6] [8] [9] [10] [11] [12] Sorenson, David_Understanding the Bible, Volume 08, Matthew - Luke.pdf

https://netorgft3038877-my.sharepoint.com/personal/jwalker_fbcwestminster_com/Documents/iBooks%20Library%20Project/Sources/Sorenson,%20David_Understanding%20the%20Bible,%20Volume%2008,%20Matthew%20-%20Luke.pdf