Starlight Sonlight

December 31, 1995

Matthew 2:1-12 When they saw the star they were overjoyed ...

Ephesians 3:1-12 (sel) Although I am the very least of all saints, this grace was given to me to bring to the Gentiles the news of the boundless riches of Christ . . . so that through the church the wisdom of God ... might now be made known ..."

The story of the Magi is a reminder to God's people that the Good News is for all the world. The Jews are God's chosen people, but they were chosen for the purpose of telling the nations about a God that loves them and wants them included in His family. This was not hidden in their scriptures: Isaiah 60 says "Nations shall come to your light and kings to the brightness of your dawning."

It is pretty heady stuff, being God's chosen people, and knowing that you have the truth. It is easy to slip into the comfortable notion that you are not only chosen, but favorite, that God exists to meet your needs, instead of God's people being God's servants. That is why it is so significant that at the very beginning of Jesus' life Matthew tells about important Gentiles that came and found Jesus, and worshiped him as their king, and gave him gifts. Matthew, that most Jewish of the Jews, is telling the world that Messiah is for all nations.

The New Testament expands the concept of chosen people to include the church. Galatians 3: 29 If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise. We are God's family; it feels good to belong. It is great to believe that we know God in Christ. But the 'other side' of the message is there, also: we don't have a monopoly on God's love. We can be called God's people, but we have been given the light in order that we may tell others where to find the Christ.

The story of the Magi tells us that God's salvation is revealed to those who will seek Him. Following the STAR is an illustration of the truth found in Hebrews 11:6, that the Lord God is a Rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. The Magi didn't seem to have too much to go on when they started out. Just the light of a star. But they persisted, and were rewarded with Epiphany. God takes notice when people start seeking him. If they will keep at it, they will not be disappointed.

We all have to come to Bethlehem by following the light we have been given. Every story is different. Many of us have been brought into this world with open Bibles in our homes, and simple, straightforward Bible doctrine preached in our churches, and we cannot remember when we didn't believe the basics about Jesus coming, and dying for our sins. That's good. Many remember how the light hit them in the darkness, and they became seekers and finders of the Christ, like my own father, who was never once in a gospel service before he was 21 years of age. There are as many stories of how we came to know Jesus as there are people. Still, the promise is there: if you want to find God, you have a gift (faith) that will enable you, by diligent seeking, to come into His Presence.

Finally, the story of the Magi challenges God's people to be like the star— and try to point everyone we can to the Christ we know. Coming to Bethlehem was evidently a long journey for the Wise Men. First they were afar off, and the light was dim, but there it was. "...they set out; and there, ahead of them, went the star " -Matthew 2:9 People need light when they are "far off."

We can begin with simple kindness.

Maybe sometimes the most important thing we can do will seem like a very small thing— but it will be like a star on the horizon, starting someone on the road to Bethlehem. The journey to salvation may begin with a little kindness together with a prayer.

(Sue Sylvester saw a boy reading a Testament on a school bus— and said a word of encouragement with an invitation to fellowship. She herself had miles and miles to go yet. But years later she saw that boy, now a young man, in that church in Beverly where she attended as a teenager, and he told her that her word of encouragement on the school bus had nudged him forward— was a contributing factor in his finding the God in the church.)

The "far off" witness is not to be despised. Arm yourself with God's Spirit every morning. Fill your quiver with arrows of God's love and concern. Then shoot those arrows every place you go, all day long. The "arrow" may just be a smile. It may be an encouragement or thanks. There may be times when you can give a word about Jesus Christ to a perfect stranger— but usually that privilege has to be earned or opened by previous work of the Spirit. But we can all be engaged in the first line of spiritual warfare which is seeking to let love overcome indifference, and light overcome darkness.

God will bless His Word, the Bible.

The Magi sought and found guidance from the Revelation of Holy Scripture. Even though the Herod and the scribes weren't sympathetic with their search, the scriptures themselves were not to be denied. Once again, the three wise men set off with what light they had.

If we take that next step in introducing people to Christ we will have to be people who let God's Word abide in us.

God will do what we cannot do.

'The star they had seen ... stopped over the place where the child was' and they entered the house 'they saw the child, and knelt down and worshiped and gave him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.' This has to be a special revelation, a miracle. No heavenly body could ever single out one house on earth— it is impossible. But when the star had done all it could, and the scriptures got them into the neighborhood, then God took over and brought them the rest of the way.

Our sharing the Good News is like that. People hunger after God. Then they hear a Gospel Message— perhaps Billy Graham preaching a simple Gospel message. But then the Holy Spirit says "YOU need to say "Yes!" to Jesus! YOU need to come and confess Jesus as Lord!" [I have been accused a few times of singling out individuals in a gospel message. I never have— but that "feeling" illustrates the final step of the miracle of personal Epiphany.

Just a couple more thoughts in closing:

There are times every one of US are seekers, like "The Wise Men"— we are seekers— following the light! Remember Hebrews 11:6. Find someone who knows the Bible. Listen for the Holy Spirit's guidance.

There are other times when the entire CHURCH is called to be like the STAR of Bethlehem. Paul understood that when (in the epistle passage he says - Ephesians 3:8 "Although I am the least of all saints, I have this high privilege: to tell the Gentiles they can get in on God's fabulous riches." Fabulous riches!!

[ He almost makes evangelism sound like Publisher's Clearing House and Ed McMahon, doesn't he. But if you think about it, it is BETTER than any amount of money.

[You know— you've seen the ads that feed all out avarice— a van pulls up and some poor man in his undershirt is told: "You now have $10,000,000!!" Actually, telling people about God's riches doesn't ALWAYS get such a great reception because people don't yet have the capacity to believe. As wonderful as God's riches are, the great mystery involved made Paul's reception a little different from Ed McMahon's.]

Paul's privilege has come down US, to the CHURCH, to you and me. Do you ever feel like "the very least of all saints"? So do I! But you and I together have a share in the grace of bringing the news of God's riches to people outside our religious and ethnic family. Let's begin where we are. Don't start BIG— start where you ARE now!      We all are able to love people and pray for them as we go through our daily routine. In so doing who knows what STAR may rise on their horizon!

Jesus said (and with these words I close:) Matthew 5: 14 YOU ARE THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD! A CITY THAT IS SET ON AN HILL CANNOT BE HID, NEITHER DO PEOPLE LIGHT A CANDLE AND PUT IT UNDER A BUSHEL. LET YOUR LIGHT SO SHINE BEFORE 'THE GENTILES' THAT THEY MAY SEE YOUR GOOD WORKS, AND GLORIFY YOUR FATHER WHICH IS IN HEAVEN."      Amen.

Prayer - Hymn #429 The Light of the World is Jesus