We are coming to the end of our series “Hidden Christmas” which for me has been of particular voyage of discovery in the Scriptures. For me both Christmas and New Year has been quiet reflection and prayer. It has been a mixed season as we psychologically look back over 2024, and everyone who I relate to say it was a very tough year.
In this series we sought to seek Him in the most unexpected places. The discoveries are those which reflect what Christmas is, birthing change. The changes represented by Christmas and this season, almost at an end, in our calendar, but far from over in reality, as the wise men did not arrive in Israel at least between 18 months to 2 years after Jesus was born. This makes the story at least 86 years in the making, counting the 84 of Anna’s praying in the Temple.
It is alleged that the Apostle called Matthew had some ministry work in Persia, not verifiable by the Bible, but extra texts from Early Church fathers indicate that he had something to do with the Persian Church. It is not verifiable but several documents relate to the Persian connection. It seems the fruit of this connection could well explain the story of the journey of the wise men. The star and the audience with the King, and Sanhedrin all must have come from firsthand witness account. It seems logical that as Matthew must have a connection with the old Persian kingdom, that knowledge of these accounts must logically mean that these eyewitness accounts found their place in the Gospel according to Matthew.
When Discernment is Partial
My objective in this message is to highlight something in the narrative of Matthew 2 we can learn from today. It seems the discernment of these wise men, correctly discerned through the Star that appeared that something great was taking place. They seemed to discern a King to be born, and the location, or thereabouts. Their issue comes when they do not know the timing, all they knew was to depart from their homes, and follow the star.
Many times in our Christian walk all we have to go on, is the meaning of the signs presented to us. The most practical thing is to follow the signs, sometimes this means that we need to move geographically, or go on a trip, or change where we congregate. What we know that the “appearance of signs” require a response from us.
For the wise men, the journey must have taken months, yet all they had was the sign. It seems akin to Abraham’s journey to Canaan, all he had to go on was the vision he saw related by Hebrews 11:10, where he looked for a city, which he knew to be constructed and designed by God. The sign, the revelation is all we can go on. When you examine the description of their revelation, all they know is that a Great King was about to be born. However as the story unfolds, they are led away from the expected to the unexpected.
The King born out of the Palace in Obscurity
Their journey takes them directly to Herod the King. Obviously, if a King was to be born it would be expected that He come in the places where Kings reside. And because the whole of Jerusalem was awash with false Messiahs coming, and the prophecies concerning a King was buzzing, the King was nervous concerning this as signs were coming from the heavens. It was a strange time, where Israel was living under a shadow of occupation and former glories were scarce. There was no official prophet to speak of present phenomenon as signs from God. It was up to each one to make their own interpretation. Whilst the King and Scribe knew where this King Messiah was to be born, they did not know the timing of His Birth. As the narrative tells us, they are yet “led” by the Star right to Jesus’ birthplace. It makes you wonder why they did not go all the way to Bethlehem instead of going to the present king and his religious leaders.
It seems that in my view, the Lord was giving the “Church” of that day opportunity to ascertain the spiritual changes afoot, both in the heavens, and in the hearts of prayerful people. However, Herod does not seek Jesus out, as the Wise Men, his intentions are not one of worship but warfare, to remove the threat to his human throne.
I think this is a warning to leaders, kings on their thrones, that a King is coming again. Their thrones are only as strong as their worship. If their warfare is their worship they will fall. It is not long according to history from the Massacre of the Innocents of 4BC, that Herod passes away.
The agitation along history has been the same, all the more poignant in the story of King Saul in which he persecuted and sought to kill David. The inner workings of those who know God’s favour turn away, also recognize those whom God calls, as being a threat. The same heart is here in Herod.
Those who approach the King must approach with worship
The only motive of the Wise men in going to this King was to worship. This is highest form of submission and recognition. And I believe when He returns, this standard is what is expected of those who wait for Him. Our only motivation is worship. Not the things we call worship in Church, something way beyond this. He who the Father desires to approach the King, is held up by the standard of worship.
The warfare means that we must follow the signs of God than the guidance of men.
I am not insinuating some kind of rebellion against priests, pastors and other ministers God seeks to set you under. I am however asking you to discern the times. Discern the signs, because they will lead you to Him. Our dependence on others can exclude us therefore whilst we submit and honour those of authority, we do not set them in a position of always discerning and always being wise. No, they can in key moments be falling short of the standard we set for our pursuits. The time with the King of kings was then followed by an angelic visitation which warned the Wise Men that they ran the risk of danger with Herod, and were to return to their own lands. This means they learned to recognize that God had led them, would keep them, and would protect them.
There is in course today a exposure of leaders taking place. In this exposure, when Jesus is born in this world, the heart is not to promote life, whether it be physical or spiritual life, but the taking of the same. Many thousands of children died in the consequence of Jesus’ birth. How many deaths will there be for His return? Only God knows, but these deaths do not go unpunished, and will be met with the might of God’s judgment.
True Kings are born in unexpected places, the same places that many started to prepare for the great kings.
It is in the obscurity, the darkness, the years that go by, is the same place Jesus will appear and be birthed. All revivals of faith start in the dark and forgotten places. Places where Jesus appears are the same as the ones where great pursuits in prayer took place. There is no shortcut. There is no easy way to meet the King. Where you prepared is where you will be received by the King.
This is the Message of Christmas, preparing, walking, being led, worshiping the King who is birthed. May we walk this same path.
Maranatha!
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