Wise Men Still Seek Him

But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

– Matthew 6:23

There’s a big difference between looking for something and searching for it. 

Looking suggests a more casual exploration, such as for a new barbecue restaurant or a full-service drycleaner. But searching, on the other hand, indicates a sense of urgency. That could be anything from our car keys — because we can’t be late again to the office — to a skilled oncologist for a stricken loved one. We search for what matters.

For Christ-followers, it’s a life-long spiritual quest toward Jesus as their Lord and Savior. And each step of the way, we seek to know him better and do God’s will with purpose and vision. But let’s consider the original Christ-followers 2,000 years ago, who traveled countless miles through deserts and rugged terrain in search of the one we call The Good Shepherd.

They were the Magi, but you might know them from the Christmas story as the Three Wise Men. Some scholars say they were astrologers from Babylon (ancient Iraq), who were familiar with the Old Testament prophesies about the Jew’s long-awaited Messiah. The time came when the travelers spotted a special star in the nighttime sky. It was a sign that was both breathtaking and unmistakable. And the Magi would soon follow it at all costs to gaze upon and worship the sought-after King of Kings.

The second chapter of Matthew’s gospel reveals that the Wise Men lived up to their name. And if we look closer, we’ll see that their successful journey highlights important principles that Christ-followers can embrace today. The first is that seeking God can be dangerous and demanding. Our spiritual pathway is full of hairpin turns and steep hills rather than long, smooth stretches of highway. And to reach their destination, the Magi chose the road-less-taken rather than the direct route. But how often do we choose the easy way out rather than doing the difficult — but right — thing?

The Magi’s example also reassures us that Christ-followers will find Jesus through a diligent search. And it’s plausible that the Three Kings were familiar with Jeremiah 29:13, which reads:

You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.

So, whether it's Christmas Day or any other day of the year, let’s follow the Wise Men’s example. They recognized their Savior's star from a great distance, began their search, and stayed on the winding, uneven road until they reached their destination. As Jesus reminds us through Matthew 7:7-8:

“Ask and it will be given to you. Search and you will find. Knock and the door will be opened for you. The one who asks will always receive; the one who is searching will always find, and the door is opened to the man who knocks.”

The University of Adversity

On the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jewish leaders, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” After he said this, he showed them his hands and side. The disciples were overjoyed when they saw the Lord. Again Jesus said, “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.”

– John 20:19-21

Have you ever wrestled with God about the tragedies, suffering, and injustices of life? 

We reason that if he’s all-powerful, he should prevent such adversity. But let’s consider that no one ever promised us a trouble-free existence. What’s more, God’s perspective extends beyond our superficial human experience and into the immeasurable wonders of his creation. For example, can we comprehend how an awkward caterpillar gorges on leaves, spins a cocoon around itself, and then emerges weeks later as a beautiful butterfly? And how can a tiny acorn grow into a mighty 80-foot oak?

It’s all beyond our understanding, but the principle here is the same. Whether we're going through good times or bad, we must remind ourselves that God's ways aren't our ways. Moreover, our human minds are much too limited to grasp the entirety of his greater purpose.

But we’re not totally in the dark here. God’s word to us — the Bible — gives us several pointers. One is that we live in an imperfect world where bad things can (and often do) happen. It was when Adam and Eve disobeyed their Creator in the Garden of Eden that Earth’s peaceful perfection was spoiled. And it’s only four chapters into Genesis that we read about mankind’s first murder: a cold-blooded encounter between brothers.

Our struggles with God can also involve our poor choices. For example, if someone chooses to drink too much, gets drunk, and then gets behind the wheel, tragedy often follows. But that’s hardly God’s fault. We instead reap the fruits of the foolishness we’ve sown.

These are sobering facts of life, but the good news is that we worship a God who specializes in turning bad into good. Consider someone who gets laid off from their job, only to find a much better one in a different city — with better pay — and in an industry that they’d never previously considered. If it weren’t for the adversity of unemployment, they might have been stuck in a boring, dead-end situation with little future. 

God also uses our adversities to discipline and mature us. Are we ever the same after experiencing a major illness or family tragedy? It’s through such crises that we draw closer to him and depend on his help and presence. And our Creator can even use our anguish as a witness to others. If you’re a Christ-follower faced with a God-sized situation, where you place your faith speaks volumes to others. After all, we know that Jesus — The Prince of Peace — will establish a kingdom that makes things right.

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace,” Jesus assures us in John 16:33. “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

Worth Every Penny

“My son,’” the father said, “you are always with me, and everything I have is yours. But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.”

– Luke 15:31-32

Few things are as disappointing as buying a product or service that fails to meet expectations — especially if it was expensive. For example, maybe you heard about a new restaurant that piqued your interest. You went online and checked out the menu, read several reviews, and even asked your friends and co-workers for their opinions. But once you were seated at the table, you quickly saw through the hype. The dining room was shabby, the waiter was rude … and that $75 entrée wasn’t even appetizing. 

On the other hand, what about that expensive Caribbean cruise? You perused several tourist websites, watched The Travel Channel, and spoke with friends who'd recently returned from the same excursion. And although your ticket's cost meant weeks of cutting back on regular expenses, the tropical islands you visited were gorgeous, the cuisine was superb, and you even made some new friends along the way. Yes, that extravagant vacation put a dent in your bank account. But the memories you made were priceless.

The Bible also confirms the worth of some costly purchases. For example, there’s Jesus’ famous story about the Prodigal Son, where a loving father welcomes back his wayward — and totally undeserving — child, who had burned through his entire inheritance on outrageously wasteful living. Christ also told about a man who sold his possessions to buy a field. And not just any field, but one that held buried treasure. Although the price tag was staggering, the man did whatever it took to obtain that land at any cost.

These parables illustrate how God puts his love into action to bring you and me into his family and provide belonging. Perhaps the most familiar passage in the New Testament, John 3:16, declares that he loves the world so much that he gave his only Son (Jesus) so that those who believe in him will have eternal life. Our Creator willingly let Jesus suffer and die on the cross in our place to pay for our wrongdoings — past, present, and future. And unlike Christ — who lived a perfect, sin-free existence — we all rightfully deserve death because of our lawlessness. But God’s grace offers us forgiveness and a fresh start if we’re only willing to accept it.

Jesus paid the exorbitant price to save us from ourselves. And compared to our costly, regrettable purchases, this one was worth every penny.

Stormy Weather

A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped. Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, “Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?”

– Mark 4:37-38

Turn on the TV and surf the Web and try to avoid the nonstop news stories about politics, crime, and civil unrest. And it’s no easier to escape the 24/7 coverage of natural disasters, corruption, and the storm clouds of international conflict. But living with unsettling headlines is nothing new. In fact, about 2,000 years ago, Jesus proclaimed these words of assurance that are just as relevant to modern-day Christ-followers as they were to his first disciples:

“Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”

In one form or another, storms are everywhere. And there’s no way to avoid them — even after we’ve switched off the smartphone and clicked away from Instagram and Facebook. For some people, the tempest might be a job loss or bankruptcy. For others, it’s a chronic illness or the prospect of major surgery. Maybe your storm involves family or relationship issues like a divorce or the loss of a loved one. And this raises a good question: Does God even care about our personal hurricanes, earthquakes, and flash floods? 

The good news is that we worship a God who’s much greater than any natural disaster, economic difficulty, or international dispute. Ours is a God who literally spoke the universe into creation, formed great mountain ranges with his hands, and parted the seas with a breath. With just a word, he calmed the stormy waters of Lake Galilee that had threatened to drown Jesus’ small band of followers. And even more amazing is that he knows his creation (including you and me) by name.

Let’s also remember that God works for the good of those who love him and have been called according to his purpose. And while our Mighty Creator doesn’t remove every storm from our presence, he proves his power and presence within them. 

Indeed, there will be times when lightning flashes and thunder rumbles overhead. But the storms that seem so great today will become laughably insignificant tomorrow. Moreover, we can rest assured that amidst all the wind and rain, blue skies are on the horizon for those with Christ as their Savior.

U-Turn

She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.

– Matthew 1:21

Turkey, cranberry sauce, and pumpkin pie weren’t the only treats on this Thanksgiving’s menu. In addition to consuming thousands of calories in a single sitting, millions of Americans also tuned into three National Football League matchups — another beloved holiday tradition. With that in mind, let’s rewind almost a century for more gridiron competition … but this time involving a legend named Roy “Wrong Way” Riegels.

It was the 1929 Rose Bowl, and Riegels — who played center for the University of California Golden Bears — retrieved his teammate’s fumble on the Georgia Tech 30-yard line. But instead of simply falling on the ball or advancing it, Riegels turned around and dashed 69 yards in the wrong direction toward his own team’s end zone. Golden Bear quarterback Benny Lonn finally caught up to his confused teammate at the 3-yard line and tried to turn him around. But it was too late, and the Georgia Tech defense swarmed over Riegels and tackled him just in front of the end zone.

The result? The Golden Bears eventually lost the game 8-7, while opponent Georgia Tech claimed their second national championship. After his infamous play, Riegels was in despair. 

“Coach, I can’t do it. I’ve ruined you, I’ve ruined myself, I’ve ruined the University of California. I couldn’t face that crowd to save my life.” 

“Roy,” responded his coach, Nibs Price, “Get up and go back out there — the game is only half over.”

That’s good advice for anyone who’s made a wrong turn or two in life, which means all of us. And it’s also a reminder that centuries before Roy Riegels lost his way on the football field, Jesus assured his own followers that they wouldn’t lose theirs once he completed his earthly mission and returned to God:

“If you love me, you will keep my commands. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever,” Christ explained. “He is the Spirit of truth. The world is unable to receive him because it doesn’t see him or know him. But you do know him, because he remains with you and will be in you.”

Later, Jesus added: “I have spoken these things to you while I remain with you. But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and remind you of everything I have told you.”

For modern-day Christ-followers like you and me, the Holy Spirit empowers us to do God’s will and bear fruit for his kingdom. That’s why we should always remain alert to his prompts and teachings, which can come from just about anywhere. It might be a Bible passage that pops out with new meaning. Or maybe it’s a spiritual truth that emerges during a Small Group discussion. And the Holy Spirit can also speak through a conversation with a friend or stranger, or even out of an odd circumstance in the workplace. The possibilities are endless.

Let’s remember that the Holy Spirit — our wonderful Counselor — doesn’t just give us advice. He also exposes the truth and invites transformation. So, have you gone the wrong way along your faith journey? He’s ready to help you make that much-needed U-turn.

Family Reunion

This is the family history of Jesus Christ. He came from the family of David, and David came from the family of Abraham.

– Matthew 1:1

When you were in grade school, were you one of the popular kids? Or were you — like many children — a bit awkward and introverted? If you weren’t part of the clique, chances are that you were the odd man out when choosing teams for kickball.

Things don’t change as we get older, whether it’s on the playground or in the office park. How many times have you been turned down for that big promotion or lost out to another job candidate? And has your boss ever criticized your sales presentation in front of your co-workers? Rejection can be brutal. 

But there IS some good news, even for those of us who were never asked to the senior prom or chosen for the varsity football team. And it’s much more important and lasting:

Our Creator — the most powerful and loving Presence in the universe — not only knows you and me by name, he’s also chosen us to join his family. That means that once we’ve put our faith in his son, Jesus, we become an adopted child of God. As John 3:16 reminds us:

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”

As children of God, we’ll have quite an inheritance to enjoy for eternity. But we don’t have to wait until we die to enjoy some of these incredible family benefits. One is the privilege of knowing God in a personal relationship. Through prayer, we can come to him directly with our troubles, needs, and joys. It’s this close bond that helps us overcome the rough spots that we’re bound to face as part of the human experience.

It's also reassuring to know that God isn’t a strict, unknowable taskmaster who waits to zap us when we do wrong. Instead, our Creator is a warm, reassuring, and loving Father. Jesus even referred to God as Abba — a child’s word that translates into English as daddy.  

The incredible truth is that God has redeemed every Believer as his adopted children. If you haven’t already done so, today’s the day to join his family by thanking him and responding in faith, “Yes, Abba!”

 

All Things New

“He will renew your life and sustain you in your old age. For your daughter-in-law, who loves you and who is better to you than seven sons, has given him birth.”

– Ruth 4:15

Ever had a computer or smartphone that’s infected by a virus or malware? If so, you know that helpless feeling when it crashes, freezes, or slows to a maddening crawl. And soon enough, that once top-of-the-line machine becomes nothing more than an expensive plastic paperweight.

But don’t lose hope. There are expert technicians who can clean out such infections and prevent future performance issues with your device. So, a once-dead phone or computer can often be restored to better-than-new condition. 

Every Christ-follower over the last 2,000 years can relate to this modern-day illustration. Like a reconfigured smartphone that now reboots without hesitation, we become born again once we put our faith in Jesus. And it’s at that point that we start over with a clean slate — ready to do good works to advance God’s kingdom. Think about all the times over the years that we’ve mistreated others, all the lies we’ve told, and all the time we’ve wasted: it’s all forgiven because Jesus paid the penalty we deserve by dying for you and me on the cross. 

Now declared justified in God’s eyes, we can look forward to an eternity of joy with our Creator. But until that day when we meet our Savior face to face, we’re empowered to live restored, fruit-bearing, Spirit-filled lives, which the apostle Paul explains in his letter to the Galatians:

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law.”

It's through Jesus — and Jesus alone — that we find our restoration. And it’s through him that all things become new again.