Introduction . . .
Illustration: Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas
Years ago, Dr. Seuss wrote a book called "How the Grinch Stole Christmas." It’s also been made into a video. Many of you know the story
which happens in the town of Who-ville. The Grinch hated seeing and hearing
all the people celebrating Christmas – so he tries to figure out a way to stop Christmas from coming to Who-ville.
He decides that if he steals all the presents, decorations and special
Christmas food then he will stop Christmas from coming. He spends the whole
night before Christmas sneaking around and stealing everything Christmassy
from all the houses in Who-ville. When Christmas morning comes the Grinch is shocked that his plan didn’t work – Christmas still comes to Who-ville. The
people are still happy and they gather hand in hand to sing Christmas songs.
He learns that Christmas is more than just presents and decorations.
In Matthew 2:1-12 we see a Grinch. This is the story of the Magi finding the Christ-child.
Read Matthew 2:1-12.
The Characters…Let’s zoom in on these characters a little more closely.
Magi –
Illustration: 3 Wise Women
Do you know what would have happened
If it had been Three Wise Women
Instead of Three Wise Men?
They would have asked for directions,
Arrived on time,
Helped deliver the baby,
Cleaned the stable,
Made a casserole,
Brought practical gifts and
There would be Peace On Earth.
· We don’t know how many wise men there were. We assume three because there were three gifts.
· Men of Science – Astronomers
· Highly educated
· Wealthy
· Highly respected in their Gentile Culture
· Upper Class Citizens
· Not particularly prone to faith in Jewish religion being Gentiles.
· Virtually the exact opposite of the shepherds
· Seekers after the truth; visionaries; spiritual
Herod – The king in Judea
· Herod the Great reigned from 37-4 BC. He was a non-Jew, an Idumean who was appointed by the Roman Senate. He was ruthless, murdering his wife, his three sons, mother-in-law, brother-in-law, uncle and many others. No wonder he had no problem killing so many babies in Bethlehem. His reign was noted for splendor. He constructed many theaters, amphitheaters, monuments, pagan altars, and fortresses. His greatest work was the rebuilding of the Temple in Jerusalem, begun in 20 BC and totally completed in 64 A.D. It was destroyed by the Romans 6 years later (in 70 AD.).
· Choleric; power hungry; self-absorbed; ruthless
Chief Priests and Teachers of the Law
· Trained and educated in the details of scripture, but spiritually ignorant.
Jesus – The real King of the Jews
The Conflict
In this story we see some conflicts taking place.
Between Herod and the Magi – Herod tried to mask the conflict, but in reality he was at odds with them. In fact, his true colors came out when they didn’t go back and tell him where the Messiah was.
Between Herod and Jesus – Jesus was a threat to Herod. Jesus was the Messiah, the True King of the Jews. Herod was an imposter. He was not entitled to the throne by heritage or divine choice.
There is an obvious conflict between these two. The King of the Jews was to be God’s representative, like God, and in the line of David (both spiritually and physically). Herod is the antithesis of God – devaluing life, pagan, murderous, self-centered, etc.
Herod is a Grinch-like Character, who seems to be in conflict with everyone around him.
(Incidentally, I see the Chief Priests and Teachers of the Law kind of like the Grinch’s dog.)
There is another Grinch-like character in this story – it is sin. Keep this in the back of your mind.
So, which one is the real Grinch?
Let’s go back to the story and join the journey of these characters. And, to help us identify the real Grinch we have to look at their motivations. All of these characters were on a journey. They were all seeking for meaning in life, for something outside of themselves that helps put life in context. They were searching for something more than they had. This desire was motivating them to do what they did. All of the characters were searching for meaning.
This is a picture of people today. Within people there is a desire for meaning in life. There is a natural (God-given) quest to seek for something of substance outside of our selves. There is a battle between this God-given drive and the self-centered nature in all of us.
Notice how the characters dealt with this search for meaning and substance in life.
Herod –
· Believed that the self was to be the focal point of life.
· Put yourself first – no one else will put you first.
· Look out for “numero uno.”
· Every man for himself.
· Point: all of his drive and seeking was motivated by self-preservation
· Application: Don’t you see the same drive in people today? Selfishness motivating people to do all kinds of things.
The Grinch – selfish motivation made him want to steal Christmas.
Chief Priests and Teachers of the Law –
· The Law & Knowledge (Torah) was paramount.
· Knowledge of the Law was what you were to seek for.
· Everything centered on knowledge & learning. They debated the fine points of the law. They formed groups around theological interpretations. They made and broke relationships based on their views of the Law.
· Point: They didn’t stress the importance of the Lawgiver, but emphasized the Law.
· Application: Today people still make knowledge paramount. They have the errant belief that they can figure it all out and come up with all the answers.
· Illustration: Just listen to all the debate on this presidential battle. Listen to all the call in talk shows giving people an opportunity to solve the world’s problems.
The Grinch – was also trying to figure it all out. He thought he had, but was confused again. This is normally the way it works.
Magi –
· Searching for meaning in life outside of themselves.
· They were seeking the One who made life meaningful.
· Money was not an issue to them.
· Power was not an issue to them.
· Position and titles were not issues to them.
· Point: They were seeking for something that would help them make sense out of what was going on in life.
· Application: Perhaps you’re one of the ones who fall into this drive. Maybe you’ve tried the self-centered approach and it has left you empty and lonely. Maybe you’ve tried to figure it all out and it has left you cold and full of questions. Now, perhaps, you are seeking for something that would help you make sense out of life.
Notice the results of the actions of these three characters:
1. Herod – the self-absorbed, power-hungry – led to frustration, failure, and loneliness.
2. Chief Priests and Teachers of the Law – The “I’ve-got-all-the-answers” people – cold hard facts but they missed the meaning, they never really got it.
3. Magi – sincere seekers of truth, meaning, and substance in life – found what they were looking for.
Notice the actions of the magi –
1. They saw what was going on around them – where they were – the star.
· Something in life got their attention – the star.
· Something caused them to question meaning – the star.
What is your star? What is it that has you questioning meaning? What has seized your attention and made you start wondering what’s going on? A situation in life, a tragedy, a sickness, a financial crisis, a book (Left Behind)?
2. They started on a journey for truth, meaning, and substance in life.
God led them on their journey.
Point: God has led you to this place, this morning, on purpose. Not one of us is here by accident.
3. They searched in the wrong place – Jerusalem.
It was logical to go to Jerusalem. Jerusalem was the capitol city, so naturally you’d go there to look for a king.
However, it was not logical if you knew the whole story. The Messiah was to be born in Bethlehem. The logical thing would have been to go to Bethlehem.
Point: We often think we know more than we know. As a result we search where we think we ought to look, but it’s the wrong place. If we knew the whole story, we’d know to go to Jesus to start with.
4. Their God put them back on course.
God looks at the sincerity of our hearts and guides us in our search for truth, meaning, and substance in life.
Recap the 3 Options…
· Herod – Self-absorption?
· Chief Priests – Answers – trying to figure it all out in your own mind?
· Magi – Faith in Christ?
The Issue calls for a Response…
Where are you going to choose to search for meaning and purpose in life?
· Self-absorption?
· Answers – trying to figure it all out in your own mind?
· Faith in Christ?
Let’s get back to the Grinch?
Who is the real Grinch?
· Not Herod – he couldn’t steal Christmas
· Not Chief Priests and Teachers of the Law – they couldn’t steal Christmas.
· Not Sin – it couldn’t steal it (In fact, Christmas happened because of sin).
· The real Grinch is our own selves. It is you, it is me. We stole Christmas from ourselves. We gave up …
o Eternal life
o Our relationship with God
o Our character and integrity
o Peace
James 1:13-15 – “When tempted, no one should say, "God is tempting me." For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.”
But, unlike Dr. Seuss’ Grinch – we can’t give it back to ourselves. We need a Savior. We need Jesus!
Conclusion . . .
The Magi point us to the right choice – to break with the self-absorbed quest and to go beyond mere knowledge. They teach us to search for the One who can give life meaning and substance.
You can live the self-absorbed life – motivated by selfish ambition and self-preservation.
You can keep trying to figure it all out, gathering information, searching for answers as if you have the mental capability to know it all.
Or, you can worship Jesus. Open your treasures and give yourself to Him.
What are you going to do, Mr. Grinch?
Prayer
Invitation: To come to Jesus Christ
