Pastor Barry's  "Chapter & Verse"  Day 211

July 29:   Matthew 2:2;   2/260(II);   ‘Seekers of God’

Matthew 2:2 saying, "Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the East and have come to worship Him."

Who were these Magi, often called ‘wise men’ in the Christmas story?  No one is really sure.  They came from the east, were probably astrologers and they most importantly, were true seekers of the Lord.  Who they were and where they were from is not important.  What is incredibly important is that they were sincerely looking for God.  Somehow they knew that the star they saw and followed would lead them to the Baby Jesus.  All over the world, there are people who genuinely want to know the One True Living God.  God the Father, who sent Jesus, so that we all could be with Them forever, will see to it that sincere seekers will find the Lord Jesus Christ.  The Magi spoke to Herod the king, asking if he knew where the King of the Jews was born.  He did not and sent for the religious leaders to tell them.  The insanely jealous Herod, would pretend to be interested in knowing where Jesus was, so that he could worship Him as well.  In reality, Herod would want to know where Jesus was so that he could kill Him.  The religious leaders in Jerusalem came to Herod and told him from the Old Testament prophecies where Jesus the Messiah was to be born.  It appears that though they knew where Jesus was to be born, they, unlike the Magi, had no interest in finding the Lord.  They had their religious laws and their legalistic ways and that was what they were interested in.  The Magi, true seekers of the Lord were led by the star right to Jesus and they worshiped Him and gave Him gifts.  Herod wanted to kill Jesus.  Religion rejected Jesus.  Those truly seeking Jesus, found Him.  What about you?