The Wise Man’s Gift

2 But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel, whose coming forth is from of old, from ancient days.

Out of Bethlehem, this inconsequential town would come the Messiah…

His coming…

was from of old—

From ancient of days—

The absolute incredulity of what we celebrate in “Christmas” is this—

—it was not a responsive action.

Christmas, Christ’s birthday, the gospel— is NOT MERELY God responding to man in order to bail us out from our mistakes.

Certainly one can argue it IS that.

BUT IT IS SO MUCH MORE.

It is the fulfillment of God’s eternal plan—one put into motion BEFORE the world began.

Consider the following texts…

Ephesians 1:3-6; 2 Timothy 1:8-10; Titus 1:2; Hebrews 4:3; Romans 8:29-39

Paul declares in Ephesians…

Ephesians 1:3–6 ESV

3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, 4 even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love 5 he us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, 6 to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved.

He tells Timothy, he beloved son in the faith…

2 Timothy 1:8–10 ESV

8 Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord, nor of me his prisoner, but share in suffering for the gospel by the power of God, 9 who saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began, 10 and which now has been manifested through the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus, who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel,

He saved us—

and called us—

because of HIS OWN PURPOSE AND GRACE—

which he gave us—

in Christ Jesus—

BEFORE the ages began.

Before the world was created—

God set a plan in motion that would involve Christ.

Which means, the gospel was note purely reactive.

God planned for Christ to die for our sins—

Before sin was even a thing—

Before man was even a thing.

Which means God’s plan involved the entrance of sin…not by His own hand, of course, but by His sovereign will.

This truth is echoed in yet at least three other passages…

Titus 1:1–2 ESV

1 Paul, a servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ, for the sake of the faith of God’s elect and their knowledge of the truth, which accords with godliness, 2 in hope of eternal life, which God, who never lies, promised before the ages began

Hebrews 4:3 ESV

3 For we who have believed enter that rest, as he has said, “As I swore in my wrath, ‘They shall not enter my rest,’ ” although his works were finished from the foundation of the world.

The works of God were determined and completed before the world was even created.

This is one of those dilemmas of God existing outside of time. He always has been and always shall be. Time did not exist until God created the world. And yet, now that it is created, He STILL exists outside of time even while we do within it.

But because of those two dueling realities, we have timelines and phrasing that do not make sense sometimes.

Things like what Paul says in Romans 8.

Romans 8:29–39 ESV

29 For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. 30 And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified.

All of these are PAST TENSE, completed.

And yet, we know, that some of them…particularly the glorification process, is not yet complete. It is still future for us.

For God, it is past.

But because, for God, it is past, we can have the assurance and surety of these verses and the ones to follow…

Romans 8:29–39 ESV

31 What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? 33 Who shall bring any charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. 34 Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us. 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? 36 As it is written, “For your sake we are being killed all the day long; we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.” 37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38 For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

We are secure.

We are held.

We are HIS

Forever.

Because His plan, begun in the past, is already completed...in his timetable.

Church, hear this truth…

The gospel is not reactive.

It is proactive.

It was not simply a response to sin, to man’s choice that God had not planned for. It was not a reaction. Not in the true sense of the word.

It was a predetermined plan to reveal God.

God provided and permitted a way for sin to enter. As I noted when I prayed and meditated earlier last week…

You provided and permitted a way for sin to enter. While You did not and could not be the author or the origin of sin (James 1:13), as the Sovereign of all things, You DID open the door and watch with grim determination as it smugly sauntered in past You. It had to be. Though You could not and did not take pleasure in its entrance, You WOULD take pleasure in what the final outcome would be.

You did this, not out of any love for evil, for that would not align with Your utter purity, but rather You did this for another purpose altogether. You had a plan to execute Your own Son, putting Him to death for the very sin that YOU would let in to begin with. Sin was nothing more than a filthy, but necessary, tool to expose the utter perfections of Your person.

And in destroying the sin You permitted entrance to—we would see You—we would see the weight of Your worth and delight in You.

The gospel WAS GOD’S DIVINE PLAN BEFORE HE ever spoke the first word of creation.

It was about revealing Himself and giving Himself, in His fullest, to us.

Church, this ought to shake us to our cores.

God’s plan, from eternity past, included HIS OWN GLORY, as well as OUR GOOD.

No, indeed, the gospel was not reactive.

It was proactive.

Will you worship a God today, who planned creation FOR the gospel…not the gospel for creation?

God’s plan was “from of old, from ancient of days.”

This makes the gospel, no accident, no rescue…But the entire intent.

God is reaching—

From eternity past—He is reaching—

Are you receiving?

Have you given Him your heart?

Are you—day after day—giving Him your heart?

God’s intent was (and is) the gospel.

An intent that God would see to its unhindered completion.

God’s reach is unhindered - Luke 2:1-5

Luke 2:1–5 ESV

1 In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. 2 This was the first registration when Quirinius was governor of Syria. 3 And all went to be registered, each to his own town. 4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, 5 to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child.

Church, look…

You and I can get very discouraged when we look around and behold the sinful decisions of man.

Frankly, we can get very discouraged when we look around at OUR own sinful decisions.

Can’t we?

But…did you know that our sinful choices, that man’s sinful choices CANNOT and WILL NOT deter the plans of God?

As grievous as those decisions are—

As wrong as they may be—

Though never justified or excusable—

God is not hindered from completing his plan because the sins of man.

Even man’s sin will be used for His glory

This is the promise of Romans 8:28

Romans 8:28 ESV

28 And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.

I know you know it…but let me ask anyway.

What things does God work together for good?

Let me ask it again…and this time…I want you to reflect upon the burdens, stresses, sorrows, and heartaches of your life right now…

And I want you to answer the question with THAT fixed in your mind.

WHAT things does God work together for good?

ALL THINGS

Even if the things in your mind right now are the fruit of man’s sinful choices…

God is NOT hindered from using them for His glory, your good, or His eternal plan.

This is the testimony of Luke 2:1-5.

Herod fell out of favor with Augustus. As a show of power and control over Herod, Augustus ordered the census to set up a tax on Herod and his subjects.

This census is what God used to get Mary to Bethlehem in order for the prophecy of the Messiah’s birth to be fulfilled.

Man’s decisions, even when driven by pride and selfishness, are tools to be used in the King of kings hands.

He is not deterred or hindered by them.

AGAIN, this is NOT a justification for doing whatever we want. God’s character and commands remain holy and true.

BUT it IS comforting to know, when we look around at the sinful choices of man, that none of those decisions are thwarting the King who lives or His plan from coming to completion.

It was Spurgeon who noted that…

“…the Ruler of tempests knows how to rule the perverse spirit of princes. The Lord our God has a bit for the wildest war horse, and a hook for the most terrible leviathan. Autocratical Caesar’s are but puppets moved with invisible strings, mere drudges to the King of kings.” Charles Spurgeon

Church, how true this is! Are you not thankful that our God remains unhindered by man’s choice?

He is still sovereign. He can still do whatever He pleases.

He is STILL the Ruler of Highest Degree

Ruler of Highest Degree

The fickle wills of kings

Won’t deter heaven’s brings.

Even man’s selfish ends

are molded to what God intends.

The ruler of raging tempests—

not hindered at all by puffed chests.

Neither man’s wicked hearts,

nor the rebellious wills upstarts

can deter the Sovereign of all

from ruling stout and tall.

The evilest intent of sin

will be reigned completely in.

Heaven’s will shall be done—

His purposes soundly won.

He is—and forever shall be

the uncontested ruler of highest degree.

Church, this is the glory of God.

That quiet glory.

It does not shout here.

It just rules.

It just wins.

It just reigns.

It overcomes.

It proves itself and lets the results speak freely.

God’s eternal plan WILL be completed. Man’s sin’s will not stand in the way.

If anything this ought to drive deeper passion and obedience, not less.

The response to this glory will expose which side you stand on.

Careless, carefree living reveals you have not been touched by faith or repentance.

Awe, humility, devotion, obedience…well, that is the response of one gripped by the glory of God and whose heart is moved to awe and wonder.

God is reaching, looking for humble hearts to receive Him.

Are you receiving Him?

Are you offering Him yours?

This response, this second is is what God is all about.

Because, God’s reach is about relationship, not religion.

God’s reach is relational not religious - Luke 2:7

Luke 2:7 ESV

7 And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.

Where was the Prince of Heaven, the King of kings laid?

In a manger.

What is a manger?

A feed trough for animals.

Who were his earthly parents?

Simple people

What was his life and and upbringing like?

Simple. Poor. Struggle probably.

Why is this important?

God is relatable.

He came to relate.

He lived AS MOST OF US DO. In the trenches of life…not in the palaces of comfort.

Jesus came to engage in relationship, not to create religion.

And his life on earth exemplifies his priorities.

He came…to engage us…with Himself.

Reminds me a great deal of this truth…

Hebrews 2:14-18

Hebrews 2:14–18 ESV

14 Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, 15 and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery. 16 For surely it is not angels that he helps, but he helps the offspring of Abraham. 17 Therefore he had to be made like his brothers in every respect, so that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. 18 For because he himself has suffered when tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.

In order to relate to us, he became like us.

Our God was not content to “relate” to us from a distance. He wanted to KNOW, to UNDERSTAND.

A God who had never known the limits of created flesh…took it on…for one single purpose: So that He could serve us as a substitute sacrifice for sin and therefore serve us as high priest by knowing us in all our reality.

This is where religion gets it wrong.

It reduces life with God to rules—to expectations—

But this is only met with emptiness—

for rules that are devoid of connection and relationship only embitter.

Relationship begins with connection.

Then the “rules” or expectations take shape out of connection—the fruit, not the root, of the relationship

Rooted in the connection, the expectations then become a joy—the means by which intimacy is strengthened and deepened.

Connection shaping expectation—That’s relationship.

Expectation shaping connection—That’s religion.

Spurgeon noted…

“I would give not a farthing for your religion, nay, not even the turn of a rusty nail. If God’s word be true, every atom of it, then we should act upon it.” Charles Spurgeon

His point?

Religion is not worth anything.

Relationship—that’s worth eternity. Live for it.

God is reaching for your heart—in relationship.

Are you offering it to Him?

How much more evidence do you need than that, to see that God desperately wants to relate to us, to be in intimate fellowship with us? He stooped to our level just so He could know us in an experiential way and not merely an intellectual one.

This relational truth of God is exactly what makes Him approachable

God’s reach is approachable - Luke 2:7

Luke 2:7 ESV

7 And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.

I think a word of caution may be in order as we consider one more truth from this verse.

Many have used this verses imagery to lay out the application and challenge, “Have you any room for Jesus in your heart?” Or “Are you making room for Jesus?”

And while I do think this use of imagery is ok…

I want to caution an overuse of this…

The implication can be made that Bethlehem did not have room for Jesus. It could be taken to represent the spiritual state of Israel and Bethlehem at the time.

Problem is, the point of this passage is NOT to reveal and expose the spiritual state of Israel.

It is not necessarily reflective of that.

None who turned them away KNEW that they were turning away the Messiah.

They did not understand the implications of what they did.

MAYBE you could make the case that they were uncaring by turning away a pregnant lady BUT one could also argue that they were doing so in the conclusion that someplace else would have accommodations. AND we are not told the manner in which they were turned away. Could have been compassionate. There is much the text does not tell us.

But, taking this “Have you any room for Jesus?” imagery from this verse COULD imply things that the text does not reveal.

Having said that…

With that said…

It is not wrong to use the imagery…

So long as we are not leaning too heavily on it or allowing it push implications that should not be pushed.

The question…is still valid.

Whether or not Bethlehem had room, the question today is—Do you?

God is reaching—pursing your heart in connection and relationship—showing you just how deep His love and desire go—will you respond by giving Him what He seeks?

Do you have room in your heart for Jesus?

Have you repented from your sin unto salvation

Are you now living daily in pursuit of an intimate love relationship with the God of all things?

Are you making room in your heart for him?

Are you more concerned with religion, your rules, then with relationship?

Are you taking time to delight in God?

Do you talk to Him, about everything?

Are you filled with passion and delight for Him, more than you are filled with a staunch defense of your rules and expectations?

Have you given your heart to Jesus? (and I do not only mean in salvation)

In the words of Solomon - God is saying to you...(Proverbs 23:26)

Proverbs 23:26 ESV

26 My son, give me your heart, and let your eyes observe my ways.

God wants our hearts. Our passions. Our desires. Our devotion.

He wants relationship?

What more does He have to do show you that?

He is reaching for man in relationship. He is reaching for you?

Have you given Him your heart in faith and repentance?

Do you give it to Him daily in surrender, in intimacy, and connection?

Conclusion

Big Idea: God is reaching for the heart of man. The wise man—he’ll give it to Him.

Will you make room?

Will you come?

Will you give your heart to Him—every day?

Will you respond to His reach—and give Him the gift that only the wise do—your heart?

Application

(For small group discussion after the sermon)

What does it mean for you to acknowledge that God's reach is eternal, as mentioned in Micah 5:2?

How can understanding the proactive nature of the gospel shape your daily spiritual practices?

In what specific ways can you make room for Jesus in your daily life?

How do you respond to the idea that God's plans are unhindered by human decisions?

How does knowing that God planned for Christ's coming before the world was created affect your view of Christmas?

What practical steps can you take this week to strengthen your relationship with God?

What can you do to make sure you are not just following religious rules but truly connecting with God?

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