When they saw the star

Matthew 2:10

When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy.

We come back again today to the Gospel of Matthew, and look at the unique story of the wise men—the wise men from the east who had come to worship the Savior. These wise men were able to discern His star that they saw while residing in the east, and came westward to Jerusalem to find out the exact location of Christ’s birth. When they determined that Christ would be born in Bethlehem, they immediately set out in that direction. They wanted to find the King, and purposed in their heart that, when they had found Him, they would fall down, worship Him, and present unto Him their regal and befitting gifts. Their hearts were hearts of wisdom and worship, their minds were minds of humility and hope. They knew this was the King of the Jews!

Now, after they had enquired where Christ should be born, they looked heavenward again, to follow the star that they had seen in the east. And here we are told that the star went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was. They followed the star all the way to the house of Mary, Joseph, and the kingly babe. And when they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy! They rejoiced, for they knew that this was the Messiah’s star. They rejoiced, for they knew that the star would lead them to the true Star of Bethlehem. The star would serve as a symbol and as a representation of the Light of the world, who was housed there. And this all was the greatest cause for rejoicing that they had ever experienced. For now they knew where they were going, and that the One they had come to see was before them. What a day of rejoicing this must have been!

And, my dear friends, is it not a day of utmost and superlative rejoicing when God gives us the much-needed direction for which our hearts are longing? And do not our hearts greatly rejoice when we are given that much needed light that will illuminate the path before us? All we must do then is follow the light of the Star. Christ is the Day Star, and He gives us perpetual light. Let us walk in the light that He provides, and let us rejoice in it with exceeding great joy! Thank God today for His leading! Thank God today that He has not left you in a dark place, aimless and hopeless and directionless. But He gives His light, that we may follow Him to where He is. May we all greatly and deeply desire to be only where He is, and where His presence abides. And as the Lord leads us there, it shall excite and elicit in and from us a great abundance of joy!

“Dear Lord, we come to You with thanksgiving and joy that You still lead us as You led the wise men of old to Bethlehem. You do not leave us comfortless, but lead us to that glorious place that You want us to be. We praise You for the light of the Star. We praise You for the direction and careful guidance that You provide as we follow the light given by the Star. We are now trusting You to continue leading us this way, and we shall rejoice and praise You with exceeding great joy. In the name of Christ Jesus our Savior we pray, Amen.”