For example, consider Matthew 2:7-12—some two years beyond the dedication of Jesus. Wise Men--WISE because they sought Jesus. Remember that as a theme in life. They came first to Jerusalem, as we would expect: don’t we think experts in any field have answers to our questions? To everyone’s surprise, they heard the answer to their query, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews?”, would be found in Bethlehem, Judea—not in Jerusalem or Bethlehem, Galilee, a much closer place.
As they began their journey, the star seen by them at home, leading them on through pursuit and mystery, once again led them. Led them on their way five miles directly south. Led them through village houses until it STOPPED above the house of Joseph, previously of Nazareth in Galilee, now a resident in the House of Bread. Knocking on the door, they found a young woman answering. On inquiring where they could find her son, she wordlessly turned and pointed to a lad amusing himself with toys. Past her to him they went, every eye riveted on him, his eyes bigger as they approached. When before him, they in their silks and linens bowed with faces on the floor before him in his peasant robe. While the infant watched, and Mary in amazement stared, the men began to open gifts they had carried through the months from their homeland to this strange land, this plain, working man’s house, and offered him gifts fit for a noble, a prophet, a priest, a KING. Though Mary received nothing, she knew her son merited all given to him. The men thanked her as they slowly and reluctantly moved away from the lad to the door, through it one by one, to the street, where they once again climbed their recumbent camels. All of them nodded in agreement when their leader said he had heard a voice that told them to leave immediately for home without returning to Jerusalem. As they left Mary turned and ran to the workshop where Joseph labored. They both returned and gazed in wonder at what God had done for his Son. Leaving us with a powerful spiritual truth. Wise men NOT ONLY seek Jesus, but FIND, and once finding, always worship him and take new direction in life. They find him the ONLY ESSENTIAL PERSON in the Christmas story. They find they never need seek another way to God for finding Jesus IS the only way to God. End Part III
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