Sermon
Lanier Christian Church
December 21, 2014
David Simpson
Star of Wonder
Matthew 2:1-11
There are a lot of symbols at the Christmas season. All represent something. Santa Claus, mistletoe, wreaths, candles, etc. I've always admired the beauty of poinsettias, and decided to do a little research on them. You may know that they were named after Joel Poinsett, who happened to be the minister to Mexico, and a native of South Carolina. He introduced them to America in 1825. In Mexico the poinsettia is called "Flor de Noche Buena" (Christmas Eve flower).
It is truly the quintissential Christmas plant. When you see them appear in the stores, you know that Christmas is not far away. Traditionally, the star-shaped leaf pattern is said to symbolize the Star of Bethlehem, and the red color represents the blood sacrifice of Jesus for our sins.
Just as this beautiful plant draws our attention to Christmas, the star over Bethlehem drew the attention of learned Magi (wise men). Although it may have been nearly two years before they arrived at the town of Jesus' birth, still they were drawn to him. The Magi came to a house, says the Bible, not a stable or a cave. So, they were not there on the night of Jesus' birth, although they sure look good in those nativity scenes we have in our homes and churches!
God has always used signs - special events and miracles - to point people to Him. The common people, especially those caught up in a world of poverty and struggle.... people such as the shepherds, received their sign: "This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” (Luke 2:12)
Certainly not the norm...a baby placed in a feeding trough for animals. It drew the attention of the shepherds. They knew this was a special child that had been born. And so, God led common men, uneducated and the lowest class of society, to come and worship the Christ child.
But God was concerned about people on the other end of the social spectrum too. So, God provided in his creative handiwork a sign from the starry host, a sign noticed by the scientific men of the day. A sign perhaps only those who studied the cosmos could possibly understand. The educated ones, those who had all they needed in life, were going to receive their sign too.
The star, Regulus was known as the "king star."
It is the major star closest to the sun. Astronomers of the first century must have known not only the movement of that star, but the prophecies associated with it. Perhaps these Magi knew the passage in Numbers 24:17 - "A star will come out of Jacob; a scepter will rise out of Israel." Some astronomers have studied this and found that there was indeed some unique alignments of the stars and planets near the time of Jesus' birth. And so these scientists of the day followed the unique movements of this divinely placed celestial body. (for more info see "The Real Star of Bethlehem" from the Griffith observatory - google search)
As they followed the star, they knew its meaning: a king had been born! In seeking the king, they asked Herod, the current ruler of Judea, where the new king had been born. I would assume a king would be born in a palace, a prince, the son of another king, wouldn't you?
Herod called together all of his religious scholars and learned the news that Bethlehem would be the place of this king's birth. He shared this with the wise men and off they went to find the king.
Why did the Magi go to Bethlehem? Why did the shepherds go to the stable or cave? Why did the uneducated, the poor, AND the scholarly and wealthy all follow a divinely placed sign? For one purpose: Worship.
Matthew 2:2 records the question of the Magi: "Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him." God has always used signs to point us in the right direction and He certainly used signs surrounding the birth of Jesus to point the most learned and the most common toward a Savior that was deserving of worship.
We have a beautiful poinsettia in our home. And so I thought: Perhaps the poinsettia is a sign for me. The starry like petals and the blood red color remind me that I, too, am being pointed toward worship. A savior has been born that gave his life for me.
Just the thought of that caused me to bow in worship and prayer, thankful for the sign of a poinsettia, that reminds me of how God uses all facets of his creation to draw all people of every nation and every level of society to himself.
As French philosopher Blaise Pascal (1623-1662) wrote:
There is a God-shaped vacuum in the heart of every man which cannot be filled by any created thing, but only by God the Creator made known through Jesus Christ.
It doesn't matter who you are...rich or poor...educated or uneducated. It doesn't matter what country you are from. It doesn't matter the color of your skin or the language you speak.
God has pointed the way to Jesus through the star and through the angelic announcement. He pointed the way through the prophecies of His holy Word. He pointed the way to Jesus as the answer for all the world. His desire is for all people throughout the earth to come and worship Him.
Indeed the Magi came to worship Jesus, as did the shepherds, but there is something more in the story which we must not overlook.
There was a joyful reaction at news of the birth of a Messiah!
Just as a newborn baby brings joy to any family, the birth of Jesus brought great joy and excitement to common shepherds and notable wise men.
Note the reaction of the shepherds after they had seen the baby Jesus: When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, 18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. - Luke 2:17,18
There was an excitement that bubbled over in the shepherds. They HAD to tell others. It was news that others needed to hear. And when others DID hear, they were amazed.
When you realize that God has sent a savior, you can't help but be excited and amazed!
But the shepherds weren't alone. Apparently, at some point in their trek westward, the Magi did not see the star for a time. But when it appeared once again, here is their reaction as recorded in Matthew 2:10 - "When they saw the star, they were overjoyed."
The Living Bible says it this way: "Their joy knew no bounds!"
I know that there are often troubling circumstances that surround the Christmas season. Many people will not experience the "perfect Christmas" (whatever that is) because of unexpected situations that have arisen.
And yet, we must remember that after the wise men worshiped Jesus, they were warned that they had been hoodwinked by King Herod. He wanted to use the wise men to locate this new king that threatened his throne. He wanted the wise men to report back to him so he, too, could "worship." But, Herod wanted to find the baby to kill him, not to worship him! He wanted to destroy joy, not celebrate it.
Jesus still draws us to himself today. He is the light of the world.
I don't know what you're facing today, but I challenge you to truly spend time and worship Jesus. In doing so you will find a joy that knows no bounds, like the wise men...and be amazed like the shepherds.
For you see, true joy is not found in presents. It's not in decorations. It's not in holiday parties. It's not in Christmas cookies. It's not in Christmas trees. It's not in Santa (yep...I had to go there!). It's in Jesus!
Let joy break forth from your circumstances today! Don't let the enemy hoodwink (deceive) you. Don't let him rob you of the joy of worship.
There is a joy awaiting you that only Jesus can provide. He's still shining. He's still King of Kings and Lord of Lords. May your joy know no bounds as you seek Him today!
