God's Wise Ones

I believe that God has always had His wise ones in every age of this earth’s history. God has given wisdom to Judges, Kings and Prophets so that His people would understand the times in which they lived and know what to do. Surely, in today’s time of uncertainty, we need God’s wisdom, instruction and providential guidance. In the Christmas Story, God gave wisdom to His wise ones from Persia to come searching for the Savior, so they could worship Him. Does God have His wise ones in our day?

So, what is involved in being a wise one for God? Jesus said, “Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock.” Matthew 7:24 Simply put, to be a wise one for God we need to seek a saving relationship with the Savior and do what He asks us to do.. In the Gospel of Matthew, we read about the wise men of Persia journeying with their gifts, seeking the Savior, following a star, eventually finding Him and worshipping Him. I believe all people can find Christ, just as the wise men did, by following the steps in Matthew Chapter 2.

At the time of the birth of Christ, we find there was a longing and a looking for a Coming King by the Persian Magi and others. Many had lost their faith in the religion of the day. I believe the Magi saw the glorious light in the heavens as God flooded the hills of Bethlehem with the angels announcing the birth of Christ. As the Magi were hungering and searching, they now saw and believed that the sign in the sky was God’s way of leading them to the deliverer. So, they immediately made plans to follow the star! “Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.” Matthew 2:1,2 After meeting with King Herod in Jerusalem and being unsatisfied with his wisdom on the matter, they departed and continued to follow the star. “And, lo, the star, which they saw 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 exceeding great joy. And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense and myrrh.” Matthew 2: 9-11

In our Christmas story of the wise ones from Persia, I believe, there were at least 6 spiritual steps taken by the Magi to find the Savior and worship Him. First, the wise ones hungered for a Savior because they recognized their need for His salvation. Secondly, they searched the Scriptures for prophetic signs of His coming. Thirdly, they believed what they read and God gave them a sign of confidence which fit their time and place. Fourthly, they persistently followed God’s leading in the providential sign in the heavens until they found the young Savior and King. Lastly, they recognized His godliness and faithfully worshipped Him with their presents and personal praise.

Could it be, that if we hunger and search, as they did, and believe by faith and follow, that we would find Jesus and have the privilege of the wise ones to worship Him also? God has always had His wise ones in every age of this earth’s history. Wise men and women still seek the Savior today. Are you one of those wise ones this Christmas Season?

Everyone is invited to the Sidney Seventh-day Adventist Church, Maple and 24th Ave., for Saturday worship services at 11:00 a.m. May Jesus be our Bright and Morning Star and lead us all to come and worship Him this Christmas Season.

Retired Pastor Jim Nichols

– Sidney Seventh-day Adventist Church