FOLLOW THE STAR

• DAY 361
• FEAR FILE: 3 WISE MEN
• SCRIPTURES: MATTHEW 2

Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, saying, “Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the East and have come to worship Him.” When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. Then Herod, when he had secretly called the wise men, determined from them what time the star appeared. And he sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search carefully for the young Child, and when you have found Him, bring back word to me, that I may come and worship Him also.” When they heard the king, they departed; and behold, the star which they had seen in the East went before them, till it came and stood over where the young Child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceedingly great joy.

The three wise men are integral in every Christmas play or story. These men saw a star that announced the birth of a king and they believed it. They traveled miles to seek this king of the Jews. However, when they arrived at Jerusalem, they started to ask around for this king. Question, what happened to the star? How did they end up in Jerusalem asking questions from the men in the city? Jesus was in Bethlehem but here they were in Jerusalem. Why?

Jerusalem was where the palace was. They assumed that the king of Jews would be born in a palace and they let their assumptions lead them. They couldn’t find the star ahead of them anymore, so they asked men for directions to a place God called them to go. And we know that this is a recipe for disaster. Because we cannot find God’s path by man’s wisdom. 

The star probably disappeared when they stopped looking to it for directions and looked to their assumptions. Their inquiry caught Herod’s attention and endangered the lives of everyone else born around that time. When their assumptions failed and they had no one else to turn to, they looked up and saw the star. 

Beloved, God’s leading is paramount in this season and we have to be intentional about ensuring that we follow it. This is not the time to let our assumptions lead or we will expose ourselves to anxiety.

That step you are on now, ask yourself if it is God or your assumption. If it is your assumption ask for mercy and ask the Holy Spirit to redirect and realign you. If you are about to start, ask him to clarify the path before you so you don’t miss your way In Jesus Christ’s name. Amen.

Shalom