Wise Men Still Seek Him
I had a professor who would say,
When you find repetition in the Bible, it’s not because God has a stuttering problem.
Repetition in Scripture, of course, is used for emphasis—like in this simple verse:
They rejoiced exceedingly with great joy.
What was it that caused their over-the-top jubilation?
Well, it’s amazing, first of all, that these men even knew the Messiah-King had been born.
The magi were most likely God-fearing stargazers, who, in addition to their interest in the constellations, had an even greater interest in Bible prophecy.
Thanks to King Nebuchadnezzar’s invasion in 586 BC, there was a significant Jewish presence in Babylon.
Centuries earlier, multitudes of Jews were exiled from Israel—carried off to what is now modern-day Iraq.
When the exile was over, many Jews returned to Israel, but many remained in Babylon; and as most of you know, that included our beloved brother and prophet, Daniel.
He was one of those POWs, but God raised him up to become a famous, high-ranking ruler over the Empire.
Daniel’s writings (the book of Daniel), along with other key Old Testament Scripture, were preserved through the centuries; the hope of a future Messiah was alive and well within Jewish communities there in Babylon.
And because of that, the magi had access to prophecies, complete with a timeclock for His Appearance (Daniel 9), and even a mention of a “star rising” over the nation of Israel (Numbers 24:17) to give them sufficient information to know God’s plan was coming to pass.
The Messiah-King was coming into the world, and they wanted in.
So after an 800 mile journey, they arrive in Jerusalem, and it seems that the astronomical phenomenon that had guided them thus far, dropped from sight. That explains why they have to stop and ask directions.
They inquire of Herod:
“Where is He who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw (past tense) His star in the East and have to worship Him” (Matthew 2:2).
Herod summons the religious experts and (amazingly) they have the answer:
“According to the prophet Micah, the Messiah is to be born in Bethlehem,” they say.
Now they know which direction to head, but where exactly will they find Him?
That’s when it seems the star re-appears.
And that’s what causes this crazy kind of joy that defies description:
The Savior of the world is six miles to the north.
I mean, it’s enough to say they rejoiced.
But Matthew adds, they rejoiced with great joy…
And then he takes it up another notch: they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy.
It’s a quadruple pile up of pure happiness: they were out of their minds with joy!
Joy!
Much joy!
Greatest ever joy!
Joy of all joys!
We can see what Matthew is trying to say.
I mean, how else do you describe the kind of happiness you feel when you find God?
(Or better, when God finds… you.)
His unconditional love, forgiveness of all our sins, and the free gift of everlasting life…
Come on…
When the Most High grants divine favor, human words fail.
That’s why Paul describes God’s gift as an inexpressible and glorious joy, one that radically transforms who we are and how we live.
It’s a joy that’s packed with divine power that’s meant to carry us through our disappointing losses and excruciating crosses.
It’s a joy that helps us forgive, turn the other cheek, and go the extra mile.
It’s a joy that helps us love the unlovely, and serve the Lord in unpleasant circumstances, with gladness.
Indominable joy is a force to be reckoned with.
And that joy must be cultivated and must be expressed.
So, if you’re feeling a little weary this Christmas season, re-adjust your focus.
Don’t let any of the usual Grinches rob you of your indescribable joy.
Because it’s the joy of the Lord that’s the secret of your strength (Nehemiah 8:10).
