Walking With Wise Men
By Senior Pastor Dr. Bill Rains | December 3, 2023
Open your Bibles to Matthew 2:1-13 and Proverbs 13:20 for today’s message, “Walking With Wise Men.” Matthew 2:1-13 recounts: “Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea… 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…” They followed it, found Jesus, worshipped Him, and offered gifts, warned by God to avoid Herod. Proverbs 13:20 says: “He that walketh with wise men shall be wise: but a companion of fools shall be destroyed.” Let’s pray: Father, thank You for this Lord’s Day, every soul here, and those online. Bless our guests and the saved. Help us walk with wise men daily. If any doubt their salvation, draw them to Christ. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Knowing Scriptural Prophecy
The wise men from the East—likely Magi from Arabia, Babylon, or Persia—knew scriptural prophecies. They’d read or heard Balaam’s words (Numbers 24:17): “…there shall come a Star out of Jacob…” and Daniel’s predictions (Daniel 9:24-27) of the Messiah’s coming, pinpointing Bethlehem (Micah 5:2). Traveling 800-900 miles, a four-month journey, they sought Judah’s Messianic King. Their wisdom came from Scripture. Jesus told the Jews (John 5:39): “Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life…” Many missed Him, rejecting a suffering Savior (Isaiah 53). A closed Bible is an injustice—search it, and find salvation in Christ alone, not works (Titus 3:5; Romans 3:23).
Starting in Time
These wise men started their journey in time, knowing from Hosea 11:1 that Jesus would flee to Egypt. They followed the star urgently, arriving before Joseph left Bethlehem. Time matters—Genesis 6:3 warns: “My spirit shall not always strive with man…” Noah preached 120 years; then the ark’s door shut. A 16-year-old boy, newly driving, heard the Gospel, got saved, and died that night in a crash—thank God he started in time! Another, same age, resisted, survived the night, but died later in a wreck. Did he trust Christ? Start now—Jesus reaches deep (Romans 5:8), but you must reach up in time.
Staying on Course
The wise men stayed on course, even when the star vanished briefly. Matthew 2:9-10 says: “…lo, the star… went before them, till it… stood over where the young child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced…” Darkness tests us—Brother Danny once lost joy for a year, yet stayed on course till light returned. The star’s absence refines appreciation for its presence. Life’s skies blacken—troubles, doubts—but wise men keep going toward the New Jerusalem (Revelation 21:2). Don’t veer off; stay on course, trusting God’s light will shine again.
Seeing Jesus
Finally, they saw Jesus. After months, dangers, and dark skies, the star stopped over His house. They offered gold, frankincense, and myrrh—gifts preserved by God’s protection. Gold for a King, myrrh foreshadowing His death, frankincense for worship. They laid it all before Him. What will you offer Jesus? He’s given us all—salvation, life. I long to hear, “Well done, thou good and faithful servant” (Matthew 25:21). Walk with wise men—know Scripture, start in time, stay on course—and bring something to Jesus when you see Him.
A Call to Walk Wisely
This Christmas, walk with wise men. Parents, get kids to God’s house early—don’t lose them to the world’s pull. If you’re lost, search the Scriptures—Jesus is the way (John 14:6). If off course, return. Offer Him your life. The wise men’s journey from distant lands to Bethlehem mirrors ours to the New Jerusalem. Stand—will you walk wisely, bringing gold, frankincense, and myrrh to Jesus today?