Have you ever stopped to think about what Jesus wants from us during the Christmas season? What does Jesus want for Christmas? In Matthew chapter 2 we will discover 3 gifts that Jesus wants for Christmas.
By the time we get to Matthew chapter 2 Jesus is now a young child most likely no more than two years old. Unlike so many of the nativity scenes we see today, only the shepherds were guests at the birth in the manger in Bethlehem. The Gospel of Luke tells the wonderful story of these shepherds and there introduction to this God-Baby. However, when Matthew writes about Christ’s birth he tells us about His genealogy, the experience of Joseph and Mary, and then quickly tells us that He was born and they called His name Jesus. As he picks up the story in chapter 2, he seems to want to tell us the story from the perspective of what had been unexpected guests from the east, carrying three unexpected gifts for an unexpected King. These unexpected visitors to Jerusalem were wise men from the East as it states in the story. Verse 2 gives us the only words recorded that they said…
“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.”
Can you see it? They come to the very people who should have been excited about their inquiry and should have delighted to tell them of the birth of the Christ Child. Yet what they find is a people who are troubled and disturbed by their question. I can almost see the astonished faces of the wise men. They traveled all this way for this! When God’s people were unwilling to testify to the birth of the Messiah, when they didn’t even know that He was even born, God had to go to the East and find some Gentiles to witness to the 1st Advent of the Christ! Today, God has a people who are awaiting the 2nd Advent of Christ. And if some of them aren’t willing to testify to this Christ, God will again find some wise men and women to witness for Christ. This coming holiday season, I believe…
Jesus Wants Your Witness
Jesus wants some man, some woman to testify to His love! Somebody to tell the world that He came as a little Baby, lived, died, rose from the grave and is coming again to take us home! You see these wise men knew that they were coming to a people who were familiar with the prophecies they had been studying. They were searching for a Christ that these people should have been waiting for and currently celebrating. Where was the parade, the headlines in the news paper, the media frenzy about the new born King? Where were the joyful worshippers? Instead the bible says in Matthew 2:3,4…
“When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. 4 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 after Herod discovers the location, he deceptively directs them to Bethlehem, in Judea, pretending that he wants to worship Christ too. They knew the prophecies about the coming Christ, but really weren’t ready to welcome Him. People often say that “Jesus is the reason for the season.” Yet we can get so caught up in the decorations and the food and getting gifts that Jesus can often get left out. Christmas is a wonderful time to lift up Christ. People are more open to the Gospel during this time more than any other time. And we may say that the season is all about Christ, but when searching people are around you, do they find a person who is excited to share the real story about the Christ of Christmas or do they find a people like the ones the Wise man encountered, who know a lot of about Him, but who really aren’t ready to receive Him or invite you to Him! Christ lovingly looks down and says, “Will you be My witnesses?” “Will you tell someone about Me this Christmas?” In the middle of all the shopping and running around, keep your eyes open for those “Wise Men” searching for the King!
CJ COUSINS
FOLLOWER OF JESUS, HUSBAND, FATHER, PASTOR, AUTHOR & LOVER OF PEOPLE. CJ IS THE ASSOCIATE PASTOR FOR YOUNGER GENERATIONS AT VIENNA SDA CHURCH IN VIENNA, VIRGINIA.