Today is the tenth day of Christmas, ten of twelve as January 6th is traditionally the 12th, or what is known as Epiphany. It is the day that the Wise Men visited the young child Jesus and offered Him gifts after their long journey. It is said that the Wise Men had “seen His star in the East” and had “come to worship Him” for this young child was to be born King of the Jews. But this final moment of worship and joy came after a long and arduous trek. Barring all other obligations, these men set off from their homes to seek out the Christ. Sounds like a parable for us, doesn’t it.
This verse also makes me wonder what we will find if we do not seek with our whole heart? Will we be satisfied with a Jesus that’s only half true? Like my post about Sweet Baby Jesus, some folks are only looking for the Christ child, and don’t want to be bothered by the bearded carpenter from Galilee. Others only seek the wise teacher from Nazareth, who had good things to say about love and brotherhood. Some seek only the Great Physician that will heal their maladies and yet ignore what she has to say about their behavior. Yet the gospel is about more than this. For the gospel, the full story of the Jesus takes us through the cross, the grave, and the resurrection.
Jesus Christ is both Savior and Lord. He has saved us from our sins (Hallelujah!) but He is also ruler of our lives. Since He has bought us, He owns us. We are not comfortable with slavery, yet that is exactly what we are before God. We have been bought and paid for by the Lord of love. We have nothing to fear from Him, but we have every responsibility to listen and obey Him. Should we fail Him, He is gracious. But wouldn’t plan on failing Him on a regular basis. “Should we go on sinning that grace may abound? May it never be!” (Rom 6) Rather let us continue to seek His will, His “good pleasing and perfect will) in our lives, which includes all the things He has already taught us to do in His word. Don’t try to get hung up on what God has planned for your life. That will come. Concentrate on what has already says He wants you to do. Study His word. Fellowship with His people, spend time with him in prayer. These are skills that ought to be well-practiced, so that when He calls us to service, we will be well-prepared.
Go forth and seek Him today, and may He bless whom “dwells within you richly”.
Meritt Musings 