The miraculous birth of Jesus

BY BISHOP HOLLIS CHARLES
BETHEL GOSPEL ASSEMBLY

Continued from the Weekend Searchlight of December 20, 2019

LET US EXAMINE THE WISE MEN.

1. They went with GREAT EXPECTATION

Matthew chapter 2 verse 2 states “Saying, where is he that is born King of the Jews? For we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him. “Wise men and women will always seek Jesus. Jesus declares in his word “seek and you shall find.” Isaiah 55: 6 declare “seek ye the Lord while he may be found, call ye upon the Lord while he is near. “ People must seek him early in life while they are youthful.

2. They had DIVINE DIRECTION

Matthew chapter 2 and verse 9 reveals” and lo, the star, which they saw in the East, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was. “The wise men were given directions pertaining to the location of baby Jesus. According to Matthew chapter 2 verse 11 the wise men found the child with Mary his mother. They mentioned previously in verse 2 we have seen his star in the East and are come to worship him.

When they saw the star, they rejoiced with GREAT EXCEEDING JOY.

Exceed- to pass or go beyond, to proceed beyond the given or supposed limit, measure or quantity of. To out go or surpass, to excel and go too far.

All of God’s people need divine direction; we must let Christ direct us because without him we are lost and cannot find the right path. Proverbs chapter 3 verses 5-6 states “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart, and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him and he shall direct they path.” Will you allow him to direct you this holiday season?

3. They were in GREAT JUBILATION

It means to be joyful, to rejoice and be happy. The wise men were filled and thrilled with ecstatic joy. Today many people are searching for the joy but cannot find it because some are looking in the dance clubs, in people and other things. True joy can ONLY be found in JESUS. The wise men rejoice when they found baby Jesus, likewise God’s people should rejoice. The righteous have something great to rejoice about, they have salvation. Psalm 33: 1 states “rejoice in the Lord oh ye righteous.”

Do you have joy in your life today? Jesus came into the world to bring joy to all that are sad, in the book of Psalm 16:11 King David said, “Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fullness of joy, at thy right hand there are pleasures forevermore.” The more joy you have, the longer you going to live. This joy is not for one day but forever. The joy of the lord is our strength! The devil is trying to steal your joy and some Christians may even lack joy. Today say, Oh Lord restore my joy!

4. They SHOWED HUMILIATION

Matthew chapter 2 verse 11 says the wise men fell down and worshipped him. Note carefully, they fell down signifies humility or lowliness. They were not too proud to bow down and worship the babe. Some Christians maybe too proud, the word of God declares we must humble ourselves and he will lift us up. Jesus was not a proud man. Philippians 2:8 proclaims “And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.” The way up is down!

5. It was a TIME OF ADORATION

We have seen his star in the East and are come to worship him. Worship is only for divine persons and man was created to worship God not Mary or Haile Selassie. Satan has stolen worship from some of God’s people; Jesus was the centre of their worship. Jesus is looking for true worshippers. Are you a true worshipper? Psalm 95:6 states “O come, let us worship and bow down; let us kneel before the LORD our maker.”

It is Satan’s desire that everybody should worship him. In the book of Matthew 4:9-10 he said to Jesus, “and saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me. Then saith Jesus unto him, get thee hence, Satan; for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord they God, and him ONLY shalt thou serve.” Christmas is a special time for worship and reflection on the goodness of God. Are you a true worshipper or spectator? O come let us adore him! The wise men fell down and worshipped him: it was not only a time of adoration but presentation.

6. It was a TIME OF PRESENTATION

According to Matthew 2:11 “And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense and myrrh.” Many Christians like to receive gifts but they don’t like to give. The word of God declares “it is more blessed to give than to receive.” I believe more gifts are bought during the month of December than any other time of the year. Also more money is spent on things that cannot satisfy and many people depend on these things to make them happy. True and lasting happiness is in Jesus Christ alone. Some people depend on a man or woman to make them happy but the “arm of flesh will fail you.”

The wise men opened their treasures and presented gifts to baby Jesus. You can open your hearts today and let him in. The apostle Paul firmly states in romans 12:1 “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.” Will you give him your life this festive season?
Shepherds played an important role at the birth of Christ the book of Luke 2:10-11 states

“And the angel said unto them, fear not: for, behold, i bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a saviour, which is Christ the Lord.” What exactly were the good tidings? It simply meant a saviour was born! A lot of people specialize in bad or nasty tidings but the church of Jesus Christ must spread good tidings to all people.

The shepherds were excited; there was a host of angels glorifying God in the highest saying, “peace on earth good will to all men.” Man is seeking peace but he cannot find true peace until he meets the author of peace, the prince of peace himself who is Jesus Christ. Are you troubled? Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on him. Jesus said, “peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you, let not your heart be troubled neither let it be afraid.”

Luke 2:17 states “And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.” Let us share Christ this season, for “he is the reason for the season.”

7. The Shepherds PROCLAMATION

The word proclaim mean to make known by public announcement, to publish and spread abroad and to herald. Fear not, behold I bring you good tidings of great joy which shall be to all people, black, white, educated and illiterate, every tribe and nation must hear the glad tidings. Jesus Christ is the only saviour for the human race.

The church must proclaim it and every born again believer must publish the good news. I am tired of bad news, bad news in the newspapers, on the radio and on television! The church of Jesus Christ at has the best news, let us arise and proclaim it, preach it, practice it and live it until Jesus returns. He is not coming back as a baby in the manger, but he is coming back as a baby in the manger, but he is coming as the KING OF KINGS AND LORDS OF LORDS. Take him into your life before it is too late.