They Saw

[0:00] A pastor's reflections, they saw. Matthew 2.10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy. 1 Corinthians 13.12 For now we see through a glass darkly, but then face to face, now I know in part, but then shall I know, even as also I am known.

[0:22] We know that 2 Corinthians 5.7 tells us that we walk by faith and not by sight. But that does not mean that sight will not play a part in our relationship with God.

[0:36] These wise men of the east have just completed a journey of over 120 days and some 900 miles. The star they saw with their own eyes in the east has long since been left behind them.

[0:50] By the time they have reached Judea, sight would have been of no use to them. Not only was there no longer any star, there was no king. Having come to Jerusalem, they find that no one has heard of or expected a new king of the Jews.

[1:07] Now what? Faith. Relying solely on the word of God, these men set out to find a king that nobody has seen. Matthew 2.5 For thus it is written by the prophet.

[1:23] Having left the capital city and the palace behind, these wise men do a very wise thing. They act upon the word of God. Imagine the contrast of approaching the sleepy town of Bethlehem after having just left the hustle and bustle of Jerusalem.

[1:39] Are they really to find a king here? Bethlehem sure doesn't look like the home of a king. And then how wonderful. Faith and sight combined to the praise and glory of God.

[1:52] God sends a sign to these men. The star. The same star that set them on their journey so many months ago. God knew exactly when sight was needed. Not to replace faith.

[2:05] But to support it. Matthew 16.2-3 He answered and said unto them, When it is evening, you say, It will be fair weather, for the sky is red.

[2:19] And in the morning, it will be foul weather today, for the sky is red and lowering. O you hypocrites! You can see and understand the face of the sky, but can you not see and understand the signs of the times?

[2:33] The signs today of the coming Messiah are all around us. God does not expect us to live by sight, but he does expect us to understand by faith the things that we see.

[2:47] One day, we will see Jesus. And in that moment, faith and sight will combine to completely and fundamentally revolutionize and transform us. 1 John 3.2 Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it does not yet appear what we shall be, but we know that when he shall appear, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is.

[3:14] Until that day, we have the remarkable privilege of walking by faith in response to the word of God. We do not look for signs, but when we see them, let's respond in faith like these wise men who saw a star and believed the word so many years ago.

[3:33] Father, today is the beginning of not just a new day, but a new year. How wonderful to approach it with the eyes of faith, faith to look back and see your hand guiding us through the last year, and faith to look ahead and see that you have already gone before us into the new one.

[3:51] Give us eyes to see the signs of the season we are in, and give us faith to believe them and your word. Amen.