Sermon: By A Different Road
“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.” When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him. When he had called together all the people’s chief priests and teachers of the law, he asked them where the Messiah was to be born. “In Bethlehem in Judea,” they replied, “for this is what the prophet has written: “‘But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah for out of you will come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel.’” Then Herod called the Magi secretly and found out from them the exact time the star had appeared. He sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search carefully for the child. As soon as you find him, report to me, so that I too may go and worship him.” After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen when it rose went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route."
Another year is passing and another year is soon to begin. Will the new year be any different than the last? Yes, I am sure we all will experience new joys, circumstances and challenges. But God still calls us to follow Him, and as we do, He encourages to travel down a “different road.” The road we are called to travel is not the same one our society advices to travel. No, the road we are to travel is “narrow” and difficult (Matthew 7:13-14) and it is one that calls us to discipline, self-denial and sometimes hardship. But it is also the road in which we experience the joy of the Lord and the meaning of life. It truly is a better way of life.
The Magi travelled this same road. It was a road that led them to the very wisdom of God – Jesus Christ. There they found great joy and hope. It was not the road that many would have taken. In fact, many in their day would mock or criticize the Magi for their travels. But as we look back at their decision to travel that road, we agree that they were indeed wise men.
This coming Sunday we will discuss travelling the road of the Magi as we complete our sermon series, “A Different Kind of Christmas.” I hope to see you then!
