WHAT THE WISE MEN DID NOT KNOW!

WHAT THE WISE MEN DID NOT KNOW!

Matt 2:1-3

2:1 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.

           The Wise Men, wise as they were, did not know the trouble that their coming would cause. They could not have known that Jerusalem would not share their excitement and anticipation regarding the new king. They could not have known the political quandary Herod would find himself in. They could not have known the threat that baby Jesus would bring to Jerusalem. All Jerusalem were troubled. The word “troubled” indicates the agitation of boiling water. They were not wise enough to know the horror and pain that would be brought to the families of Bethlehem.

           They only knew that Heaven had alerted them to something marvelous. They were wise enough to know that God was acting and that man would ultimately be the beneficiary of His actions. They knew that seeing this new king would be worth their journey. They knew that the new king would be worthy of their gifts of Gold, frankincense and myrrh. Such commitment based on so little real knowledge is amazing.

           Today we do not follow guiding stars as we travel; we follow satellite guidance systems that maps our every turn. We know so very much more than the Wise Men and yet our commitment to the journey is so very much less than theirs. We know the consequences of not following this new king and yet we take another route. We rob ourselves of so many wonderful things by not following. We are not so very wise.

Dear Lord, although your coming meant trouble for many, I am glad for the changes you have made in my life. Make me truly wise enough to follow you. AMEN