[462 words]
One of the verses most heard at this time of year is found in Luke 2:11, “…for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.” And as familiar as this verse is, the immediate reaction to the verse may be more important. “The shepherds began to say to one another, ‘Let us go straight to Bethlehem then, and see this thing that has happened which the Lord has made known to us’” (Luke 2 15). So, after hearing the “good news” proclaimed, the shepherds searched out the baby to confirm the angelic proclamation.
A similar result is recorded in Matthew 2. The magi from the east had seen the star and came to worship the King of the Jews. When arriving in Jerusalem, they repeatedly asked the location of the King of the Jews. They wanted to know His location so they could worship Him. Herod sent them on the way to Bethlehem to “search carefully for the Child;…” (Mt. 2:1-8).
There are two other individuals who were spoken of as “looking for the consolation of Israel” and the “redemption of Jerusalem.” They were Simeon and the prophetess Anna (Luke 2:25-38). Both were in there later years of life but longing to see the Messiah.
There is another group of individuals mentioned in the narrative of the visit of the magi that has drawn more of my attention—the chief priests and scribes (the people who should have been attuned to the prophecies of the Messiah and awaiting His coming!). They were quick to respond to Herod and the magi regarding the prophecy of Christ’s birthplace, but Scripture is silent as to whether or not they searched out the Messiah for themselves. Why?
At this time of year, much of the world celebrates the birth of Christ. Focus is on the baby Jesus and the joy of the announcement at His birth. We sing “Joy to the World” commemorating His birth and the joy of the Savior. But how many truly seek out the “good news” of Jesus Christ and the true joy He brings to our lives through His death, burial, resurrection and promise to return one day to take us to be with Him in heaven (John 14:1-3; 1 Thess. 3:13-17)?
Perhaps that should be of no surprise, because even today there seems to be a lack of concern for searching out the “good news” of Christ. Have we grown tired of the story of Christ? Not just His birth, but the climax of His death, burial and resurrection? Let us be like the shepherds and magi, earnestly seeking to know the Christ—the way, the truth and the life!
Paul Mowrer
Monticello church of Christ
Monticello, AR