January 4, 2008 - The Wiseman
"Fresh Start"

Matthew 2
Visitors from the East
Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the reign of King Herod. About that time some wise men[a] from eastern lands arrived in Jerusalem, asking, 2 “Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We saw his star as it rose,[b] and we have come to worship him.”
3 King Herod was deeply disturbed when he heard this, as was everyone in Jerusalem. 4 He called a meeting of the leading priests and teachers of religious law and asked, “Where is the Messiah supposed to be born?”
5 “In Bethlehem in Judea,” they said, “for this is what the prophet wrote:
6 ‘And you, O Bethlehem in the land of Judah,
are not least among the ruling cities[c] of Judah,
for a ruler will come from you
who will be the shepherd for my people Israel.’[d]”
7 Then Herod called for a private meeting with the wise men, and he learned from them the time when the star first appeared. 8 Then he told them, “Go to Bethlehem and search carefully for the child. And when you find him, come back and tell me so that I can go and worship him, too!”
9 After this interview the wise men went their way. And the star they had seen in the east guided them to Bethlehem. It went ahead of them and stopped over the place where the child was. 10 When they saw the star, they were filled with joy! 11 They entered the house and saw the child with his mother, Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasure chests and gave him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
12 When it was time to leave, they returned to their own country by another route, for God had warned them in a dream not to return to Herod.
A young boy was in his bed for the night when a storm broke and awakened him. He called out to his dad in fear. The father came to the room to calm his son’s fears. “It’s alright, Son,” he said. “God is with you.”

“I know that, Daddy,” said the boy, “but I need somebody with skin.”

Sometimes we just need somebody with skin. That is why God sent himself – ivading our world in human form. The 3 wisemen came to witness this special appearing of God. They found him in a home in Bethlehem.

The three gifts that the wisemen brought were very telling. Gold – the gift of kings and for kings – was first presented to Jesus. Frankincense – a yellow sap which produces a sweet smell when warmed or burn – was presented second. It was used in the temple as part of the holy anointing oil and as part of the incense for the cereal offering. Myrrh – the third and final gift – was used as a deodorant to anoint a dead body.

Do you see the significance? Jesus was treated as King, as Priest, and as Sacrifice. He is the King of all, Our Great and High Priest making intercession for us and He is the one who took our punishment due to sin! The gifts of the wisemen point to His Godhead!

The wisemen were wisdom seekers. They looked for new opportunities afforded in the things right around them. We have a new opportunity each and every new year. Have you made your new years resolutions? The problem with many resolutions are that they are made and not referred to again. A regular review is important. At the same time, it is imperative to pull people in to your circle and ask them to pray for you and to keep you accountable in a supportive and loving way.

I wrote a resolution for each month of the year – 12 in all. I will share them in a moment. But first, let’s get thinking about a fresh start as we hear the words of Leroy Brownlow. He wrote a devotional called “Give Us This Day.” On January 1st we find these resolutions:

…our first resolution is to keep our thoughts working for us. No person is better, bigger or stronger than his or her thoughts. (The battlefield for success or failure is in the mind.)

Second, let us be grateful for the many blessings of last year. We are not worthy of more, if we are ungrateful for what we have. (Remember, if we are not faithful in the little things God will not entrust us with more.)

Third, may we determine to be sympathetic toward all less fortunate persons than ourselves. Having a heart is a big accomplishment.

Fourth, let us resolve to place the best reasonable construction on the words and deeds of others. (Watch what you say.)

Fifth, let us build life on the good foundation of loving God and our fellowman.

Now, as a further spur to get you to think again about fresh starts (God is a God of new beginnings), here are my resolutions for 2009:

1. Read the Bible everyday.
2. Read a devotion everyday.
3. Pray more – worry less.
4. Listen to more praise music.
5. Exercise 3 times a week.
6. Eat better.
7. Watch less TV.
8. Play my guitar more.
9. Begin writing a book.
10. Do something new.
11. Help more around the house.
12. Simply (downsize and organize).

Perhaps these will assist you in forming your own. You may not wish to do 12. The first 3 alone, if done faithfully, would transform a life!

Let us come to holy communion with a renewed interest in giving God more – more of our time, more of our love, more of our life. Amen.