“Wise men…came to Jerusalem, saying, “Where is He who has been born King of the Jews?” - (Matt 2:1-2 NKJV)
Why would someone leave the comfort of their home, travel over a thousand miles by camel, brave blistering deserts, along with potential highway robbers and other hazards, to follow a star to an unknown destination?
There is only one answer: because they were wise! Wise men and women have always hungered for God. God addresses our need to be forgiven of our sins, and to experience His peace, His joy, and an understanding of our life’s purpose on earth.
This is why primitive tribes, who don’t know God, make themselves gods out of mountains or trees or rocks. Deep down we all have a need to experience something bigger than ourselves, someone capable of loving us, protecting us, and directing us.
“He has put eternity in their hearts...” - (Eccl 3:11). That is why we get no lasting satisfaction from the things of this world - because earthly things are so fleeting, and we are made for eternity! Solomon, who was the wisest man on earth, had everything anyone could ever possibly want or need in this life. He wrote the book of Ecclesiastes in his old age. In this book he mentions living life under the sun without God (and without eternity!) no less than 29 times. He said all is vanity or emptiness 37 times. Solomon could find no lasting satisfaction in anything. His final words are written in Ecclesiastes 12:13-14 - “Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God and keep His commandments. For this is man’s all. For God will bring every work into judgement, Including every secret thing, Whether good or evil.”
The ancient Greeks had an altar on Mars Hill with the inscription, “To the unknown God.” Then the Apostle Paul told them, “What you worship as something unknown I am going to proclaim to you.” - (Acts 17:23 NIV)
The good news of Christmas is that anyone can seek God and find Him, by coming to know Jesus as their own personal Saviour. The prophet Hosea called Israel back to God with these words: “Oh, that we might know the Lord! Let us press on to know Him. He will respond to us as surely as the arrival of dawn.” - (Hosea 6:3 NLT).
I received Christ into my heart as Lord and Saviour in November 1975. In December that year, I remember singing the old Christmas Carol: “Hark the herald angels sing, Glory to the new-born king, Peace on earth and mercy mild, God and sinners reconciled.” I had sung Christmas carols ever since I was a child, but now they came alive! As I understood their meaning, tears came to my eyes. This sinner and God had been reconciled and my life was changed forever.
This Christmas I urge you to seek Christ, make him King of your heart, and let the reality of eternity overflow in your life!
“Those who are planted in the house of the LORD. Shall flourish in the courts of our God. They shall still bear fruit in old age; They shall be fresh and flourishing.” - (Ps 92:13-14)
Yours for New Life in Christ.
Dr. George Hill,
Founder and President of Victory Churches International
www.victoryint.org