Seekers Shall Be Finders (Matthew 2:1-12)
Sermon Summary
Pastor David Yan
18 December 2022
The Bible urges people to seek God. Jesus taught that those who seek shall find.
After Jesus was born wise men from the East arrived in Jerusalem seeking Jesus and they found him. Seekers shall be finders.
Concerning the wise men’s seeking and finding Jesus we note the course or process of this seeking and finding.
First, the men had some prior knowledge of the coming Messiah. They knew the King of the Jews was coming. Perhaps these men had dialogue with Jewish people. Or perhaps they themselves were Jews. Whatever their background they knew of the coming Messiah. They sought on the basis of what knowledge they had. God gives enough knowledge of himself for people to believe in him.
Secondly, they saw the star. The appearance of this mysterious star indicated something special had happened. The men were drawn to follow the star. It was God's revelation. They were led by God. Today the Holy Spirit leads people to Jesus. Why have there been so many Christians over many centuries?
It is because the Holy Spirit has been working over these centuries. Thirdly they arrived in Jerusalem and spoke openly of their purpose. The fact that they journeyed to Jerusalem indicates their willingness to act. They must of necessity go to Jerusalem where they enquired "Where is he who is born King of the Jews?" Seeking and finding Jesus involves the mind (understanding) and the will (action).
They found the child Jesus and worshipped him. Amazing! Grown men worshipping a lad! This was not idolatry. The lad was divine. "Jesus Lord at thy birth."
The men had great joy. In life we have passing thrills as for instance in sports. But these men had something deeper than a passing thrill. They had great joy. It was the joy of receiving divine truth. Christ the Saviour was born.
The men gave the best of gifts. Gold, frankincense and myrrh were precious. The most precious thing you have is your life. Present it to God as a living sacrifice. You will not regret it if you lose it for Jesus.
Note these men were Christ-seekers. Compare them to Christ-haters. Herod was a hater of Christ. There are people today who hate Christ. They are modern-day Herods.
Compare them to Christ-fence-sitters. The people of Jerusalem sat on the fence. When the wise men came asking about their King they did nothing about it.
When the chief priests and scribes understood from the prophets the Messiah would be born in Bethlehem they did not go with the wise men to Bethlehem. They sat on the fence. The world is filled with fence-sitters.
Who is this child who brought such wise men to seek him? He is Christ the promised Messiah. Be like those wise men---bow down before Jesus; worship and adore him.