Pastor column: The truly wise are still seeking Him

Matthew chapter 2 tells us the story of the wise men: “After Jesus was born in Bethlehem … Magi from the east came … saw His star … and have come to worship Him … they saw the Child with His mother Mary and they bowed down and worshiped Him. Then they opened their treasures and presented Him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh” (vs. 1-2, 11). They “saw His star” and followed it until they came face to face with the Lord Jesus Christ. That meeting changed their lives forever.

The truly wise have the same qualities of the Magi that came to worship the Jesus in Bethlehem. Notice with me what it is the wise still do.

The truly wise still approach Him. Today, 2,000 years later, wise men still come to Jesus. The wisest moment in my life was the moment I came to Jesus Christ by faith! No matter who you are; no matter what you’ve done, you can be saved if you will come to Jesus Christ (John 6:37).

The truly wise still adore Him. The text tells us “they bowed down and worshiped Him.” Isn’t it amazing that these astrologers had enough insight to recognize the glory of the One whom they had found? While here we are, 2,000 years later, with all the light we have been given and many people today still seem incapable of seeing who Jesus really is.

The truly wise still adorn Him. The Magi came with gifts in their hands. These gifts they gave Him were rather significant. They brought Him gold, acknowledging Him to be a King. They brought Him frankincense, a priestly gift used in temple worship when sacrifices were offered up to God. And they brought Him myrrh, a substance used for embalming. It reveals why Jesus came into the world — from the cradle to the cross and the empty tomb.

This story teaches us that real worship involves giving. “They presented unto Him gifts” and they gave themselves. They “fell down and worshiped Him.” What are you giving to Him? What do you have in mind for Jesus this Christmas?

The truly wise still acknowledge Him. The magi asked, “Where is the one who has been born King of the Jews? This is important. Those who meet Jesus are always altered by Jesus (2 Corinthians 5:17). When Jesus becomes your Savior, you become a different person. That’s the power of His grace; that’s the power of His salvation.

How would you describe yourself today? Are you wise? That is an easy question to answer. You are wise if you have followed the Light you have been given. You are wise if you have believed the Gospel. You are wise if you worship Jesus. You are wise if you have surrendered your heart to Jesus. You are wise if you listen to Him and heed His voice. He will change your life and He will give you the best Christmas you ever had.

Rev. J. Patrick Street is the lead pastor of Redeemer Church in Marion. He can be reached at coachpatstreet@gmail.com.

This article originally appeared on Marion Star: The truly wise believe the Gospel and surrender their hear to Jesus