Seeking the Saviour

Introduction

This year has been a year unlike any other.

Hardship

Frustrations

Fear

Pain

Loss

Anger

Uncertainty

Anxiety

It can bring about

Doubts

Discouragement

Depression

Resentment/Bitterness

Critical Spirit

Cynical Spirit

But as unique as it all seems to us, none of these circumstances are all that new or unusual to history.

The Devil is a master at getting you to take your attention from Christ and your relationship with Him — and he does so by overwhelming you in your circumstances. He does so by distracting you with worldly concerns such as

Health

Finances

Family

Career

Politics

Security

All of these things are real important issues, but the pitfall comes when you make these things your focus, when you allow your thoughts and emotions and behaviors to be fueled by and fixated on these physical and temporary issues to the detriment of your spiritual and eternal well-being.

Go back 2000 years to the story of the visit of the Magi, and you will discover that this tendency to allow our circumstances to distract us from Christ was real and active at His very advent.

The shepherds witnessed the sky saturated with the light of innumerable angels, announcing the birth of the Saviour, and they ran to find Him — and did, just as the angel had said. And when they found Him, they told everyone they could all that they had seen and heard — and yet, the Bible does not mention any additional visitors at the manger.

Long after the buzz of that angel filled night in Bethlehem had faded away, after Mary and Joseph had settled down into a home, and after Jesus had grown into His toddler years, all of Israel was shaken by the visit of magi from the east.

These magi had come to pay homage to the promised King of Kings, the ruler whose reign would never end. They had seen His star, and had travelled all this way to present Him with gifts and worship.

This caravan knew that the King had arrived, but they were not quite sure where to find Him. Naturally, they reasoned that if a king had been born, the ruler of Jerusalem would be aware of it, so they came to Herod the Great, who had been appointed king by the Roman Empire.

The reaction of Jerusalem was not the reaction that the wise men expected. Here they had been watching in anticipation of the coming of the King of kings. And when the signs were fulfilled indicating His arrival, they made their way to meet Him.

READ MATTHEW 2

Matthew 2 KJV 1900

Now when Jesus was born in Beth-lehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, 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. When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he demanded of them where Christ should be born. And they said unto him, In Beth-lehem of Judaea: for thus it is written by the prophet, And thou Beth-lehem, 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. Then Herod, when he had privily called the wise men, inquired of them diligently what time the star appeared. And he sent them to Beth-lehem, 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. 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. When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy. 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. And being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way. And when they were departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I bring thee word: for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him. When he arose, he took the young child and his mother by night, and departed into Egypt: And was there until the death of Herod: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Out of Egypt have I called my son. Then Herod, when he saw that he was mocked of the wise men, was exceeding wroth, and sent forth, and slew all the children that were in Beth-lehem, and in all the coasts thereof, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had diligently inquired of the wise men. Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by Jeremy the prophet, saying, In Rama was there a voice heard, lamentation, and weeping, and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children, and would not be comforted, because they are not. But when Herod was dead, behold, an angel of the Lord appeareth in a dream to Joseph in Egypt, Saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and go into the land of Israel: for they are dead which sought the young child’s life. And he arose, and took the young child and his mother, and came into the land of Israel. But when he heard that Archelaus did reign in Judaea in the room of his father Herod, he was afraid to go thither: notwithstanding, being warned of God in a dream, he turned aside into the parts of Galilee: And he came and dwelt in a city called Nazareth: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophets, He shall be called a Nazarene.

Proposition:

These wise men came seeking the Saviour. They expected Him, and when the signs appeared, they sought Him out. This has been a crazy, bewildering, frustrating, and unique year, no doubt. But the difference in your life does not really come down to how well things work out for you. The only thing that can make any lasting impact on your day to day life, and how you deal with the situations and circumstances you might face is the state of your relationship with the Lord and only Saviour, Jesus Christ.

So, as we consider a story that you have probably heard told since you were a child, keep this question in the forefront of your heart and mind — are you seeking Jesus Christ.

Maybe you don’t really know Him — well, then seek Him, and you can know Him.

Maybe you do know Him — but you can profess Him as your Saviour and neglect to seek Him.

Are you seeking Jesus Christ?

[PRAYER]

Transition:

Let’s look together at some facets of their search, as found in the first eight verses.

The Facets of their Searching— vv. 1-8

The Recognition of His Birth

These Gentile magi knew that the Christ, Messiah had been born

1. They were watching for the signs

2. They recognized the star —

Numbers 24:17 KJV 1900

I shall see him, but not now: I shall behold him, but not nigh: There shall come a Star out of Jacob, And a Sceptre shall rise out of Israel, And shall smite the corners of Moab, And destroy all the children of Sheth.

3. They knew the time table — The book of Daniel

4. They just weren’t sure where

The Response to their Arrival

The City was Unaware

They probably figured Jerusalem would be abuzz with the news

1. They came searching expecting to find an easy answer

2. The Jews had no idea what had just taken place

3. Everything was business as usual.

4. They had missed it.

The Citizens were Uneasy

Jerusalem reacted with anxiety instead of excitement

1. Herod was afraid for his job

a. The birth of a king would undermine his leadership

b. If the Jews got on board with this, it could cause an uprising

c. If there was an uprising, Rome would blame Herod.

2. The Jews were troubled as well

a. They did not want to see a revolution

b. They also did not want to see Herod angered, which was well founded, as we will see later on in the chapter.

3. They were happy with the status quo, and didn’t want this news of Messiah shaking things up.

4. Many do not seek the Saviour because they are afraid of the changes that it might bring.

5. Let me assure you, life with the Saviour is far better than life without Him, and His way is not only better, it’s without a doubt, the BEST way to live.

6. All of the sudden, being a Christian might cost something of you — your sense of safety and security, your convenience, 1 in 3 American Church Goers decided in 2020 that church was no longer convenient, and have stopped going altogether. Maybe you’ve let something slip in your relationship with Jesus, because it’s not fitting into your schedule?

The Religious had the Answers

The religious leaders knew right where to find Him

1. They had it right there in their Bibles

Micah 5:2 KJV 1900

But thou, Beth-lehem Ephratah, Though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, Yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; Whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.

2. They were ready with an answer when Herod asked them.

The Ruler’s Paranoia

Herod missed the promise

1. He had only one goal: destroy the opposition

2. Here was a royal caravan going out to meet the Savior, yet he failed to go with them

3. He used their eagerness to plan his wickedness

4. He sat there and heard the Gospel and missed it

(The Facets of their Searching)

The Faith of the Searchers

Matthew 2:9–12 KJV 1900

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. When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy. 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. And being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way.

They Journeyed without the Star

In order for the star to reappear, it had to first disappear.

They came to Jerusalem because the star was not shining any longer.

Yet, in spite of the absence of the star, they continued in the direction God had shown them.

“Never doubt in the night what God gave you in the light.”

Faith requires us to not have all the answers and still trust in the One who does.

You don’t always need a star to seek the Saviour.

They had Joy at the Return of the Star

The wise men knew the joy of the Lord.

1. They had eagerly traveled, hoping to meet and worship the Savior

2. They were supernaturally led by God to the Christ-child

3. They rejoiced to see their dreams come true

4. The City was uneasy, the king was paranoid, but the wise men were rejoicing at the prospect of meeting Jesus

Does the prospect of meeting Jesus bring you joy?

They Journeyed with Gifts for the Saviour

The Faith of the Magi — vv. 11-12

A. They brought gifts worthy of a King

1. Gold, frankincense, and myrrh

The gold – His royalty

The frankincense – His divinity

The myrrh – sufferings

2. Gifts given as offerings, not just to a king, but to God.

They Journeyed to Worship the Saviour

3. This was not a royal visit, but a religious visit. They came to worship Him.

4. Where was every one else?

a. Where were all the theologians?

b. Where were the religious leaders?

c. They knew the truth, but did not believe it.

B. They disregarded the wishes of Herod and instead were obedient to the voice of God

1. They ignored the command of the king, for the instructions of the King of Kings.

2. They had served their purpose

 In a nation expecting a Messiah, the Gospel is first proclaimed by Gentiles!

Transition:

What can we learn from this story? How can we apply this to our own lives and be seeking the Saviour?

Conclusion

4 Thoughts by way of Application

1) Have you met the Saviour?

[Gospel]

2) If you do know Jesus as your personal Saviour, you are not called to just bide time until He comes, you are called to live life abundantly, to serve Him faithfully, to know Him intimately, and be affected profoundly by that knowledge on a moment by moment, day by day basis!

There are two ways you react to adverse and difficult circumstances —

you can react negatively:

Doubt

Discouraged

Angry

Afraid

Anxious

Resentful/Bitter

you can react spiritually:

Joy

Confidence in Christ

Deeper in your walk with Him

And say with the Psalmist:

Psalm 119:71 KJV 1900

It is good for me that I have been afflicted; That I might learn thy statutes.

For a Christian, 2020 could have been your best year ever, because of how much God was able to teach you in it! If you seek to know Jesus more, every day is a glorious day!

Philippians 3:7–14 KJV 1900

But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith: That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death; If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead. Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

How in the world could you ever face terrible circumstances without the assurance that Jesus gives in His word?

3) Our message is more vital than ever to share, and our testimony is more important than ever.

Romans 13:11–14 KJV 1900

And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed. The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light. Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying. But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.

4) The crazier it gets, and the longer Jesus tarries, the more steadfast we ought to be in our desire to know Him, and live for Him.

2 Peter 3:8–15 KJV 1900

But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up. Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness, Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat? Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness. Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless. And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you;

Are you seeking the Saviour this Christmas Season? Life is far better with Him than without.

INVITATION