The Wise Man's Joy

This week’s advent theme is Joy. I think this may be the most important of all the themes. We have looked at Hope and Faith thus far two key componets of our Christian lives and next week is the promise of Peace. Yet in today’s society Joy has come under attack in fact the holidays see a rise in suicides, overdoses, theft and domestic violence. If Christmas is the Merry season the season of Such great Joy then why do so many hurt themselves and others. I believe the answer may be seen in an old Christmas classic. I have a Christmas tradition to watch It’s a Wonderful Life every year. Its an old movie from the 40’s in which the character George Bailey in a fit of despair due to the circumstances of life wishes he was never born, and upon being granted his wish and seeing the changes to his beloved town and friends realizes he really did have a wonderful life. I propose that the real reason we are seing such pain and sorrow over Christmas is because we are too busy worrying about our circumstances: our finances, our christmas lists, keeping up with the joneses, who bought the best gift, etc. What we really need though is the joy that comes from God. David says in Psalm 16:11

Psalm 16:11 ESV

You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.

So how do we find the Joy of the Lord this Holiday Season? Look with me at the story of the Wise men who came to see Jesus. They too were seeking the Joy of the Lord. Turn to Matthew 2:1-12

Matthew 2:1–12 ESV

Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem, saying, “Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.” When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him; and assembling all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. They told him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for so it is written by the prophet: “ ‘And you, O Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for from you shall come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel.’ ” Then Herod summoned the wise men secretly and ascertained from them what time the star had appeared. And he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, “Go and search diligently for the child, and when you have found him, bring me word, that I too may come and worship him.” After listening to the king, they went on their way. And behold, the star that they had seen when it rose went before them until it came to rest over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. And going into the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh. And being warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed to their own country by another way.

Seekers of the Lord

Matthew 2:1–3 ESV

Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem, saying, “Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.” When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him;

We often think of the wise men as being there in the manger scene when Jesus was born but in vs 16 Herod kills all the children two and under according to the time the Wise men gave of the rising of the star. Therefore it is more likely that they found Jesus when he was two. Why did it take them two years.

When the star first appeared they must have spent some time researching to discern what the star signified. According to church tradition these men were Persian astrologers. They would have believed the appearance of a never before seen star must herald a new kings birth and begun looking for such prophecies. Due to the influence of Daniel and the other Jews that remained after the exile the Hebrew Scriptures would have been known and with time the prophecies of a king to be born of the line of david also known as the star of david. Thus these men devoted time searching out the truth.

Yet it was not enough to simply know the truth they were actors. When they learned of this new king they went to Jerusalem, the capital of Israel, and asked where is the newborn king.

After being told he is in Bethlehem they go there to find him.

Notice that they are constantly searching and seeking for the new King. Their search and later act of worship though likely done in honor of his status as king without any regard to his status as God does set an example for us all.

If a Pagan is willing to spend such time seeking the truth and then going to find this king from another nation just to offer him tribute, how much more should we as Believers be willing to sacrifice in honor of our God. In order to find joy we must first be seekers of it. The wise men’s search was rewarded when they found the Child. Too often we do not experience the joy of the Lord in our lives because we do not seek it. David says in Psalm 16:11

Psalm 16:11 ESV

You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.

If you truly want to experience joy you must seek out the presence of the Lord.

True Worshipers

Matthew 2:4–11 ESV

and assembling all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. They told him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for so it is written by the prophet: “ ‘And you, O Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for from you shall come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel.’ ” Then Herod summoned the wise men secretly and ascertained from them what time the star had appeared. And he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, “Go and search diligently for the child, and when you have found him, bring me word, that I too may come and worship him.” After listening to the king, they went on their way. And behold, the star that they had seen when it rose went before them until it came to rest over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. And going into the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh.

There are two kinds of worshippers presented here Herod as a false worshipper and the Wise men as true worshippers.

Herod’s worship is first brought into question in vs 2 when it says he was troubled at the wise man’s coming.

If he was truly going to worship then when he heard the news we would expect Joy not fear.

Indeed his true intentions are revealed in verse 16 when he slaughters all the children two and under.

Herod is not looking to worship the Christ but kill him because he is a threat to his own desires and passions

This is always the way of the world, it is why even now people are saying happy holidays rather than merry Christmas, why people want manager scenes removed from Christmas celebrations. If Jesus really is the reason for the season, if he really is God in the flesh come to die on the cross as forgiveness of our sins raised on the third day to show his power over death and the grave then he must be God and we are accountable to him. Therefore people hate him and seek to kill him, and to kill or at least harm all who follow him.

The Wise men on the other hand were true worshippers. They have put their entire lives on pause for the purpose of coming to worship the Christ Child.

They are following the guidance of God to the child and when they find him they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. Literally the text says they experienced such great joy that they began to commit the action of joyfulness abundantly. The feeling led to the an action of joyfulness. Have you ever seen someone be told great news such as they are pregnant. You watch their face and you can see the emotion of joy pass on their face they begin to glow but then the joy is such that it becomes an action they jump and shout. That is the kind of thing the wise men are doing here. They may not know Jesus’ true purpose but they know this a great king and one who will change the world. Thus they worship him. I think sometimes we are afraid to experience such joy in the confines of the church. We think it would somehow be unspiritual to allow ourselves such joy. For one to be so overwhelmed with joy that they shouted out in church would surely be disorderly. My friends it is my belief that in heaven we will experience this joy when we see Jesus. Could 10,000 years even be enough to dilute the joy of sitting at the feet of God. Could anything take away the joy of our salvation the joy of heaven the joy of knowing God even as we are known. Then my brothers and sisters why should we stifle our joy now? Let us be true worshippers of God and rejoice rejoice again I say rejoice.

Givers not Receivers only

Matthew 2:11–12 ESV

And going into the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh. And being warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed to their own country by another way.

Notice these men did not come empty handed to worship. We discussed last week that Jesus is our shepherd and King he is our provider and guardian. This is often the way we think about God, yet the Bible also shows example after example and even commands that we bring tithes and offerings to the Lord. If He is our God it is only right that he be given a portion of that which we have been given. These men understood the rights of those in authority. As a king Jesus deserved kingly gifts, how much more then does God deserve our gifts.

This is one of the many reasons I think people need to be active in a church. It provides so many ways for one to give gifts to God. The most obvious way is through financial support of the church as the wise men gave of their wealth to Jesus we too can give to Jesus. Yet We can also give to God through our talents and our time. Church offers many ways for us to do this as well, from greeters to teachers, cleaners to leaders, musicians, speakers, and huggers, it takes all of us to do the work God has called us too. When God’s people are not connected to the church it takes away from the church but it also hurts them because they are not serving. Notice it was a great joy to the wise men to come and offer their gifts. It truly is better to give than to receive. Let us not simply take from God the gift of salvation but make his joy and your own complete by giving back to him. That truly is the spirit of Christmas and the path to Joy.

Invitation

Do you desire to have true everlasting joy this morning. The path is simple seek the Lord that you may worship him and give him the best gifts you can offer. He has already given you his best when he left heaven to come down and live as a man a perfect life to die on the cross as a sacrifice for your sins raised on the third day as proof of his conquering death and the grave, that he might grant you eternal life. Will you put your hope and faith your trust in him and his sacrifice that you might recieve the joy of the Lord this morning? For those of you that are already saved are you still seeking him with all your heart or have you been distracted by the world. Are you truly worshiping him or is it just an agenda for your own desires? Are you giving back to him with your finances, your time, and your talents or is there an area where you are holding back? Do you need to repent this morning of your sin now is the time as we sing #572 Blessed Assurance.