Matthew 2:7-12
The sovereignty of God is amazing to observe and is on
constant display throughout the Scriptures and in our day to day lives. We are not always aware of it but it is
always there. I like to play chess, but
I have learned that I am a novice. I can
easily whip up on those who are just beginning but recently I played with
someone who really knew what they were doing.
I would think and strategize for what seemed like forever only to
realize that my far more gifted opponent had already anticipated that move and I
had fallen into yet another trap. Satan
has been striving to thwart God’s plan of redemption from the moment he fell
from heaven. The history of this world
is marked by his futile attempts to undermine and destroy God’s plan. However, we see time and time again that God
is truly sovereign and that He is in complete control of the affairs of this
world. We see this truth on display once
again in the story of the Magi’s continued search for Messiah. God is at work every step of the way to
provide for His servants and protect them from the danger that was being
plotted against them.
HEROD’S DECEPTION: Herod calls the Magi to try to figure out
the approximate time that the star appeared to them in order to determine the
age of Messiah. He then asked for them
to go and find Messiah and then return and inform him of Messiah’s location so
that he too could go and worship. Little
did they know that this was a deceptive scheme on Herod’s part and that his
true motive was to go and kill Jesus.
Herod claimed to have converted to Judaism so this request would not
have sounded out of place to the Magi.
This intent in Herod’s heart is nothing less than another one of Satan’s
constant plots to thwart God’s plan of redemption. Satan is not all-knowing like God is. He did not know when or how Messiah would
come into the world. But now that he
knows his intent is to destroy Him as quickly as possible. Herod has a prideful a wicked heart that is
drunk on his own power; but in reality he is only a pawn in Satan’s plan. These types of things continue to happen all
over the world today. God’s program is
for there to be disciples in every nation and tribe of the world worshiping in every
language that exists. We have been
commissioned by God to accomplish this task by the power of the Holy
Spirit. However, Satan is doing all that
he can to distract, discourage and destroy us in an attempt to thwart God’s
mission. This may come in the form of
persecution, temptation, diseases, fear, violence, terrorism, governmental bureaucracy
and countless other means. We must stand
firm in resistance to all of these and depend on the Spirit and Word of God to
guide and protect our lives as we commit ourselves to the mission that God has
for us.
MAGI’S DELIGHT: As the Magi leave Jerusalem the star guides
them to Bethlehem and the house where Jesus is now living. Their hearts are full of delight as they see
Messiah, bow down and worship Him and give them their gifts of gold, frankincense
and myrrh. The fact that they presented
three gifts to Jesus does not mean that there were only three Magi in the
group. In all likelihood there was a
larger caravan of men who made this journey and came to worship Jesus. We don’t know how long they stayed in
Bethlehem but they most certainly had tents that they had been using on their
long journey so it would not have been any trouble for them to set up camp and
spend a significant period of time with Jesus and His family. However many of them there were and however
long they might have stayed; it is very clear that their hearts were full of
joy as they came and worshiped the Lord.
I am sure that they were surprised by the humility of the family into
which Jesus had been born which must have made their gift giving all the more
delightful to them. They could see how
badly this family would need these gifts that likely facilitated their escape
in the future as they had to flee from Herod’s plot. God blessed the Magi with the means and
opportunity to give and God used that gift to accomplish His will in the life
of His Son. God continues to work
through the generosity and dedication of godly men who give of their time and
resources to further the work of His kingdom.
We should all consider it an honor and a joy to be able to participate
in God’s mission through giving.
However, as followers of the Lord Jesus we must always recognize that
our main priority in that of worship.
Giving is one of many expressions of worship but certainly not the only
one. Every aspect of our lives should be
consecrated to the Lord as a means of worship.
GOD’S DELIVERANCE: One of the nights that the Magi stayed in
Bethlehem they were warned in a dream that they should not return through Jerusalem
and report to Herod. Unlike Satan, God
is all-knowing and is also all-powerful.
He knew of Herod’s scheme and was able to thwart it by simply warning
the Magi. Satan’s big move to gain power
was confounded by God’s sovereignty. The
Magi returned to their own country by a different route and must have gone on
their way with great rejoicing at having been able to take part in this
glorious event. They must have also been
concerned for the safety of this family having been warned of the plot against
them. But they had seen God’s power at
work and could certainly trust that He was more than capable of providing the
protection that was needed. No matter
what danger or difficulties we might face as we participate in God’s mission in
this world; we can be assured of His sovereign protection in our lives. This does not mean that we will not suffer
nor does it mean that we won’t be killed.
It simply means that no matter what happens we can be assured of God’s
control over any circumstance we face.
He is able to deliver us, help us through the trial our use our
suffering or even death to accomplish His mission. He may not always miraculously deliver us in
every situation. He will sovereignly use
us for His glory and the expanse of His kingdom in both life and death.
APPLICATION: Beware of Satan’s constant attempts to
distract, discourage and destroy and stand firm in the face of these attempts in
the grace that comes to us through God’s Spirit and His Word. Rejoice in the privilege we have of participating
in God’s mission through our giving, service and many other means of
worship. Trust in God’s sovereign
control over the circumstances we face in our lives and our efforts to engage
in His mission.
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