In the story of the birth of Christ, Matthew mentions that wise men came from the East to worship Jesus. They went to Herod in Jerusalem and said “Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him” (Matt 2:2). At hearing this it says that Herod and all of Jerusalem were troubled.
The magi had no more information than the Jews about the prophesies of the Christ. The star that appeared would have been visible to everyone. And yet the magi knew what was going on but the Jews didn’t. What was the difference?
The magi were looking for the coming of Christ, but the Jews were looking for something else.
Isn’t it funny how the magi, men who were gentiles living outside of the land of Israel, knew what to look for, recognized it when they saw it, and responded by coming to worship. The Jews, however, had become very focused on observing every tiny detail of the law. When they heard what the wise men said, they didn’t respond with worship, instead they were troubled. They had their own view of what the messiah would be (a military leader to defeat the Romans are restore Israelites to prominence). The magi were looking for God’s Word to be fulfilled, the Jews were looking out for themselves.
Are we actively looking for Christ today? Do we see him at work in every detail of our lives? Or, do we have a different notion of what Christ should be? “I only see the Prince of Peace when my life is peaceful. If times are hard, he’s not here.” But Christ is here, at work, always. We just have to be actively looking for him. In the kindness someone has shown, in the abundant blessings we have, in the joy we share this season.
Today, actively look for Christ.