A Lesson From Wise Men
What does it mean to put action to your faith? We in the Body of Christ forget at times that we should be acting upon what God has promised. When God makes promises we can be assured He means what He says. As believers we need to take His word seriously. We are living in dangerous times, times that Paul said would be perilous times, 2 Timothy 3:1, “This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come." But how do we act upon God’s Word? How do we put our faith into action? A good example of this can be found in the book of Matthew with the wise men journey. However, before that we need to go to Israel’s beginning. Hundreds of years before Jesus would be born and the Wise men would even come east, the people of Israel were journeying from Egypt to the Promised Land. During this time it was prophesied in Numbers 24:17, “I see Him, but not now; I behold Him, but not near; A Star shall come out of Jacob; A Scepter shall rise out of Israel, And batter the brow of Moab, And destroy all the sons of tumult.” Years later when the Jews were sent to Babylon, their teachings and knowledge of the Torah would be part of the schools. Daniel, from the book of Daniel, would be one of the fathers of this teaching. The wise men were educational descendants of Daniel and the writings of the Torah. Now many call these men Magi or Wise men, but what does this mean in today’s terms? These would have been the PHD, scientist, doctors, and philosophers of today. Their knowledge and discipline to study would have surpassed everyone.
Now before we continue there might be some who say that Numbers 24:17 isn’t talking about a Star symbolizing the coming birth of the Messiah, however the wise men did take this seriously and were looking for a star. Additionally, they knew based on Daniel 9 when the Messiah was coming. For them this was enough to seek out the promised King.
Matthew 2:1-11, “Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, 2 saying, “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.” 3 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. 5 So they said to him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for thus it is written by the prophet: 6 ‘But you, Bethlehem, [in] the land of Judah, Are not the least among the rulers of Judah; For out of you shall come a Ruler Who will shepherd My people Israel.’ ” 7 Then Herod, when he had secretly called the wise men, determined from them what time the star appeared. 8 And he sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search carefully for the young Child, and when you have found [Him,] bring back word to me, that I may come and worship Him also.” 9 When they heard the king, they departed; and behold, the star which they had seen in the East went before them, till it came and stood over where the young Child was. 10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceedingly great joy. 11 And when they had come into the house, they saw the young Child with Mary His mother, and fell down and worshiped Him. And when they had opened their treasures, they presented gifts to Him: gold, frankincense, and myrrh.”
Here is a group of men who took the Bible seriously and were actively looking for what the Bible promised. They knew the time frame of Jesus’ coming and they knew of a star. So when the star arrived, it was time for their faith to have action and they pursued the star. Many might argue and fight over what was the star. However, allow me to give two examples I believe why this star was visible to anyone but anonymously enough to be over looked by virtually everyone. The wise men could see it, no where does it say no one else couldn’t see it. So that means the wise men knew to be looking. Second, it was special enough to suggest this was the star to symbolize the coming King’s birth. From this story we have three points that need to be addressed when talking about faith in action. These three points will highlight our own actions on faith to this day. The first option is to be like King Herod who wasn’t studying the Word of God and was clueless of what time he was living in. For the believer today, these are the ones who are saved but have virtually no idea of what the Bible says about these times and is clueless of the prophecies concerning the time about to come upon the world. The second is the Pharisees. This group knows the prophecies and the scripture but instead of taking it seriously, they describe it was metaphorical, symbolic, and even allegorical. They highlight what they desire to ease their life, while neglecting the cold hard truth of God’s Word regarding this time and what we should be doing. The final point is the wise men. This group of believers see the signs and are eagerly going about the Father’s work. They know time is short so they are telling anyone who will listen of the Gospel and sharing the love of Christ to all.
So we need to be like the wise men and allow our faith to have action. Do we believe what the Bible says about the end times? Do we believe what His word says? If we do, than our faith will be reflected by our actions. James wraps up this lesson by the wise men rather sufficiently, James 2:17-18, “So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. 18 But someone will say, “You have faith and I have works.” Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works.”
Hold until relieved, our Blessed Hope is coming,
JL