They were wise.

They were seeking.

 Think about “wise and seek”with me.

 

 “After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, “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.”

Matthew 2:1-2

 

Three Magi from the East traveled to Jerusalem. They made the hot, dusty long trip because they were wise. because they were wise, they were seeking. What made them wise? Was it extensive reading and study of history? It’s likely. But what made them wise regarding this subject? It is also likely it was Jewish prophecy …not from Daniel as written last week but likely from Isaiah. From what they read…wisdom required travel. They showed good judgement. They responded sensibly to what they read. They made travel plans.  And perhaps it was this passage that made Jerusalem their destination.

 

 “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this.” Isaiah 9:6-7

 

In wisdom, they determined to leave their work, families and the comforts of home and make a long journey filled with unknown dangers to SEEK the King of the Jews-Jesus. To seek is to attempt to find. They believed the prophecy of Isaiah brought to their country centuries before from the Jewish exile. (God knew this would happen.) These three took risks to seek Jesus. And they weren’t even Jewish! By the way, such a journey does not seem wise either.

Yet, it was.

The Magi raise a question for us.

Will we seek Jesus?

He remains seek worthy today…

The Magi based their quest on the writings of Isaiah.  They believed. They traveled. Today-We have the entire Bible. We have the complete record of the life and death of Jesus-in four different accounts called the Gospels. The Bible clearly explains the life of “The King of the Jews” the Magi sought.

It is wise to seek Jesus…it’s good judgment/sensible.

The Magi found Jesus. And they worshiped Him.

We don’t need a long dusty, dangerous journey to find Jesus. He waits for us to call out to Him. Jeremiah, another Old Testament prophet wrote this:

 

 “You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.” Jeremiah 29:13

 

Best of all-Jesus invites us to seek Him. Imagine! An invitation for an eternal relationship with God! In Matthew we come to these words of invitation spoken by Jesus Himself:

 

 “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.”

Matthew 7:7-8

 

They were wise.

They sought Jesus.

Consider the Magi.

If you seek Him-can He be found? Read the words of Jesus from Matthew 7:7-8 again!

Those who seek Jesus certainly find Him.

The wise seek Him.