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BRIGHTEST OF STARS: LEADS TO YOUR DESTINY
By Rev. Dr. Teresa Allissa Citro
Founder and President of Thread of Hope, Inc.
"When they saw the star, they were filled with joy! They entered the house and saw the child with his mother, Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasure chests and gave him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh."
Mathew 2: 10-12
The story of the magi visiting baby Jesus holds many wonderful truths that can’t be ignored. First, the magi were not ordinary men. They were distinguished foreigners, learned men, and not just from one country or place. The magi were known among the Persians as philosophers and priests.
The first place they went, when arriving to Jerusalem, was to the palace. They went straight to the King Herod. They had one question, “Where can we find the new born King of the Jews?” Right here, you know they had to have been important men. They had an audience with King Herod himself. I don’t think King Herod would have met with just ordinary men. Further more, that he would believe what they had to say. So much so, he would commit such a hideous crime, ordering every single male child from 2 years and under to be killed, all for fear of his crown. No doubt they had to have been men of power.
You can understand why I can’t help but ask the questions. “What and why would several distinguished, well educated, and prominent men travel approximately two years to find a child and then bow and kneel before him and worship him?”
God does nothing without purpose. First, Jesus was recognized by those who were seeking Him. You see, that was not a spontaneous visit. Those men had been watching, looking out, and observing for a while for the birth of the God child. Watch this, very important. They were on guard and on alert for His birth. I wonder how many years they were on that “Watchtower” looking for that star to appear in the sky?
Can you imagine the excitement when the star finally appeared in the sky? Those were really moments of ecstasy! For the magi, they had two: the moment that star appeared in the sky, and the moment they found the King of kings and Lord of lords. The real and everlasting King, King Jesus. They bowed down, got on their knees, and immediately, worshiped the King, the child Jesus.
Secondly, let’s take a look at their three distinct gifts. The gifts they brought had specific and spiritual meanings
The Gifts! Gold is always associated with Kings. It symbolizes kingship on earth. Jesus came down from heaven, a place where the streets are gold. No wonder the wise human Kings came to Him. They recognized there was a King that overruled even them.
Frankincense is a perfume, an incense. It’s a symbol of deity. It’s used in churches to worship, showing clearly Jesus was and is the real, and everlasting King.
Myrrh is an embalming oil. It’s a perfume that is used when embalming a dead body. What a gift to bring a child. Myrrh is used on dead bodies to make them smell good. Clearly, showing Jesus would suffer and die.
In these three gifts, we can tell a story. Jesus is King, and we are to worship him; he died for our sins. So simple. You don’t have to be a wise person to figure it out.
I want to be like one of those wise magi. I want to be on the lookout on that, “Watchtower.” I want to pay very close attention to my King, fall on my knees, and worship him. I recognize what his birth and death represent. I thank Him by giving Him my whole life.
Thirdly, if those magi weren’t paying close attention, they would have missed the star. If those magi didn’t leave all the comforts of home and go on a journey, a wonderful journey they would have missed being in His presence. If they didn’t use their resources to purchase the gifts, they would have had nothing to present at His feet. I don’t want to miss the Star that leads me to my destiny.
Do you see what I see? Is my message clear today? We must be searching, too. We must use our resources, talents, abilities, whatever in our possession. We must be willing to get up and go. I find the Christmas story, the birth of Jesus so amazingly challenging in a great way. Mary got up and left to be with Elizabeth. Joseph got up from his dream and married Mary. Joseph got up and took Mary and himself to Egypt. Joseph got up and took Mary and Jesus to Nazareth. Finally, the Magi got up and went on their way. I want to get up and go.
There sure are a lot of “Get up and go” in this story. How appropriate! Jesus himself had to get up and go, too. He left the comfort and riches of heaven to be born of a Virgin and end on a cross for our sins. What a price to have to pay.
Finally, there’s always a cost in the, “Get up and go.” The will of God always costs. Following Him costs our own agendas. It always cost our obedience, comfort, and trust.
Friends, sometimes you just have to, “Get up and go.” When you have done all of the searching and the star appears, it’s time you embark on your journey. Get up and go!
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