SHOULDER TO SHOULDER #100 ---- 12/13/99
Posted by: lifeunlimited <lifeunlimited@...>
As We fight The Good Fight
SHOULDER TO SHOULDER #100 ---- 12/13/99
TITLE: "Lessons From the Journey ---- Thoughts on the Magi"
My Dear Friend:
I trust this past week was a blessed one, and the one ahead will be
filled with the sense of God's presence day by day as you continue your
pilgrimage. Sometimes we are so conscious of the plodding of the
pilgrimage or are anticipating the destination we desire, that we miss
out on the joy of the journey. There is indeed great joy in the journey
itself.
I've been especially conscious of that this year, beginning with the
Thanksgiving season. We are still dealing with the fall out from my
mother's hospitalization, and are now neck deep in the celebrations and
responsibilities of Christmas. Yesterday our Minister of Worship led us
in a wonderful time of celebrating the astounding event when Jesus left
the realms of Glory to come down here in the muck and mire to make it
possible for us to experience and enjoy the life-changing miracle of
being changed from glory to glory.
But . . .
It's so easy to get caught up in the tyranny of the urgent that we never
really benefit from what we know in our hearts to be the truth. It's one
thing to say we are doers as well as hearers of the Word, but actually
being doers is often more difficult than we had anticipated.
If you have been caught up in the Mess and the Methods of the Season, let
me urge you, before it's come and gone again for another year, to direct
your attention to the Message of the Savior.
STRANGERS FROM THE ORIENT:
We live less than two hours from a place called Branson, Missouri ---- a
once sleepy little town that suddenly has found itself all grown up and
occupied by performance theaters hosting such stars as Wayne Newton, Glen
Campbell, the Lennon Sisters, Dino, Andy Williams, Mel Tillis, the Glen
Miller Orchestra, Tony Orlando, Bobby Vinton, and others.
Last week Jo Ann and I made our way down there to see the incredible
Christmas lights at Silver Dollar City and other places in that locale.
SDC, a Christ centered theme park, boasts of more than two million
lights in their Christmas display.
While there we decided to go to the Grand Palace Theater and see the
Radio City Rockettes perform their annual Christmas program for which
they have become so famous. We thought the Parade of the Wooden Soldiers
and other popular themes would be a special blessing. Because we knew
that every theater in Branson always includes a strong Christian message,
we anticipated a good presentation by the Rockettes as well.
We totally underestimated what we were to see. While the entire
presentation was absolutely breath taking, I was particularly touched by
the arrival of the Magi and their subsequent acts of worshipping the
Christ child. It wasn't so much the choreography and music that captured
my attention, though both were absolutely fantastic, but it was the
thoughts and imaginations of my mind that made the most impact.
What was it really like for those astrologers and scientists to expend
the time, effort, and resources to locate this One about whom they had
perhaps only read? I'm afraid that we in this Century have so allowed
the influence of the Renaissance painters and the Gregorian religionists
to discolor our perceptions and glamorize the events and characters of
Christ's birth, that we often miss the genuine down to earth nitty gritty
of the real people and events that took place back in that semi-desert
land.
So, as I considered that thought, I tried to imagine, as I did with
Elizabeth last week, just what those Magi were like ---- were they
wealthy? Where were they from? (I know ---- tradition seems to say
Ethiopia, Iran or Saudi Arabia, or even China.
What was it that got their attention in the first place? How long did it
take for them to decide on this journey? Did they all know each other
beforehand, or did they meet along the way?
There are dozens of questions like those, none of which in themselves may
be all that significant, but will, if answered, perhaps give a sense of
the hearts of these world travelers. So, here are some thoughts that
have come to mind, which, if seriously contemplated, could also even
affect our lives today as you and I continue each day seeking the
presence of our Lord.
I believe you can see several qualities demonstrated in the pilgrimage of
the Wise Men.
AN INSATIABLE CURIOSITY ABOUT THE EXTRAORDINARY:
We must acknowledge that their initial sighting of the Bethlehem star
more than simply tweaked their curiosity. They were probably accustomed
to examining unusual phenomena, and perhaps at first did not separate
this heavenly figure as being anything more than "just another unusual
thing".
However, as they studied their maps of the heavens, the literature of
other cultures, and the prophecies of the Hebrew writers of old, they
soon concluded that this was not just another "unusual thing", but it was
something extraordinary. I can imagine how their inquisitive minds and
discipline of thorough research led them to conclude that this was like
nothing they had ever encountered before.
History held no record of such a phenomenon, and their own experiences
contained no recollections of something so extraordinary ---- so divine
---- so "other worldly". And, they would not, they could not, be
satisfied until they knew the truth.
I have been convicted over how easy it is for me to settle for the
mundane ---- the ordinary. It is easy to slip into the "ruts" of life
---- those pathways so well worn that they have carved a track of
predictability from which there seems to be no escape. It has been said
that a "rut" is nothing less than a grave ---- with both ends kicked out.
In his book, "The Normal Christian Life", Watchman Nee says, "the Normal
Christian life appears to us to be highly abnormal because we are so
subnormal." May our God of the Manger remind us that He is also God of
the Mountains and the Creator of Majesty. We have no right to settle for
the mundane when the Miraculous is always present. Just as the Magi were
trained to be captured by the extraordinary, you and I have been
spiritually programmed with an insatiable inner interest in things that
are unexplainable apart from God.
AN APPARENT HEART DESIRING SPIRITUAL SATISFACTION:
It had to be more than intellectual curiosity that caused these men to
take such a long journey. Learning for the sake of learning usually does
not have the endurance and tenacity that a heart hungry for truth ----
for meaning ---- for life ---- has. For that reason, I believe these
learned characters recognized that there is more to life than knowledge.
Perhaps not even recognizing what it was that was driving them, they were
being pushed on and on by hearts desiring spiritual sustenance and
satisfaction of which theirs were void.
Is that what drives you today, my friend? Is there an insatiable
spiritual hunger that keeps you going, even when the journey is long and
the desert is dry? Or do you find satisfaction just camping at an
occasional oasis and spending too long there?
If there is not beating within you a heart that desires nothing less than
spiritual satisfaction, you will doubtless miss the real blessings of
Christmas.
A WILLINGNESS TO SACRIFICE AND SUFFER:
These men of apparent wealth and status were probably not accustomed to
the inconveniences of long dry journeys into far away lands totally
unfamiliar to them. They were more comfortable around desks than on the
backs of dromedaries.
And yet, they were so driven in their quest, that they were willing to
endure the suffering of sore backsides, swollen ankles, hot days and
nights, water shortages, and sand in their biscuits. They were willing
to sacrifice the comforts of home, the companionship of family, and the
clamoring of their disciples for the sake of finding the truth about that
Star and what it would lead them to.
One thing of which I am constantly reminded is the catastrophe of
convenience when it comes to following and serving Christ. It doesn't
take much of an intellect to quickly discover that Jesus was quite clear
in His discourses on the cost of following Him. Most of us will follow
Him anywhere ---- anywhere there is the security of a church pay check,
anywhere there is a possibility of advancement or success, anywhere there
is the companionship of family and peers.
No wonder so few of us ever discover the final destination of the Star
---- we're too busy trying to manufacture our own lighting systems.
A COMMITMENT TO EXTRAVAGANT EXPENDITURE:
We really don't know just how wealthy these Wise Men were. According to
the account in Matthew's Gospel, we can assume they were men of some
means. After all, they traveled great distances for long periods of
time. They were of enough influence to gain an audience with Herod.
They were wealthy enough to bring gifts to the Christ Child ---- gold,
frankincense, and myrrh.
However, it's not their wealth that should attract us to them. Rather,
it should be their willingness to turn loose of it for the sake of
finding Christ. That fact tells us more about what kind of men they were
than trying to research all their material assets.
I'm personally of the opinion that they gave much more than the gold,
frankincense, and myrrh. In fact, the Biblical account tells us that
when they saw the child, they fell down and worshiped Him. You see, when
you give yourself, it becomes easy to turn loose of the material stuff.
One of the reasons you and I sometimes struggle with being willing to
spend extravagantly on our search is because we won't give up our good
name, our status, our position, our security, our reputation. Miserly
expenditures produce meager results. The Bethlehem Star will remain
distant unless we are willing to be extravagant in our expenditure of
time, energy, determination, and possessions.
We must be willing to spend, spend, spend! Spend time in prayer, in
God's presence, in seeking His face, in worshiping Him. Spend energy in
pursuing spiritual things rather than material things. If contemporary
Christmas teaches us anything, it is that we are much more favorable to
pursuing tangible and temporal things than we are the eternal ---- no
matter how much we may claim to the contrary.
A TENACIOUS PERSISTENCE THAT ENDURES:
One of those "Renaissance" images we carry in our minds is that the Magi
arrived shortly after the shepherds did at the manger in Bethlehem. This
is just one of several conclusions we have formed as a result of St.
Francis of Assisi creating an overall "nativity scene" in order to teach
his parishioners the truths of the birth of Christ. For the sake of
simplicity, he included the Wise Men, and we've been doing it ever since.
If I understand it correctly, the truth of the matter is that they
followed the Star Not to a manger, but to a House (Matthew 2:11).
Matthew 2:1 is clear that it was After Jesus birth that they arrived in
Jerusalem ---- not Bethlehem. After some time of research by Herod and
the religious leaders, for how long we do not know, the conclusion was
that such a King of Israel would be born in Bethlehem. Herod then told
the Magi to go to Bethlehem, but an interesting narrative says, "having
heard the king, they went their way; and lo, the star which they had seen
in the east, went on before them, *until* it came and stood over where
the Child was" (Matthew 2:9)
It's interesting that there is no clear definition of just where that
was. One thing seems clear ---- it was a house and not a stable. It is
almost definitely something that happened following Jesus' presentation
in the temple after he was eight days old. Some have even suggested that
by this time they were back home in Nazareth.
Another interesting statement is found in verse 7 of Matthew 2, when
Herod asked the Wise Men a most unusual question ---- "When did the star
appear to you?" No answer is recorded, but we can assume that a
significant amount of time had elapsed ---- perhaps as much as two years
---- between the time they first saw the Star and when they finally saw
the Child.
After all, they had journeyed from distant countries, and there is no
indication that they began their journey immediately after seeing the
Star for the first time. Being the learned men they were, it is most
likely that they did extensive research before embarking on the journey
to an answer.
In addition, we find in Matthew 2:13 that Joseph takes Mary and Jesus to
Egypt after being warned that Herod was on the trail and was killing all
male babies age two and under. Why that age? Because, based on Matthew
2:16, that corresponded with the time frame the Magi had told him they
had first seen the star.
Why is all this important? Because it shows us the amazing tenacity and
persistence these undeterred men possessed which ultimately led them to
the One for Whom they had been searching so diligently.
It is that same type of persistence that will also reward you and me in
our search for the full magnificence of our Redeemer.
IN CONCLUSION:
As you have heard before, Wise Men *still* seek Jesus. Are you a wise
man? The truth will be told in whether or not you are giving your full
attention to Him and not to His birthday party, or His teachings, or His
ideals, or His miracles, or His . . . .
How is it with you, friend? Is your search characterized by those things
which characterized the pilgrimage of the Magi?
+ An insatiable curiosity for the Extraordinary Jesus rather than the
typical One imaged by some artist?
+ A heart that can be satisfied only by spiritual reality rather than
temporal activity?
+ A willingness to be inconvenienced in your pilgrimage and suffer if
need be for the goal of seeing Him?
+ A commitment to extravagantly expend all necessary resources for the
sake of genuinely knowing Him?
+ A tenacious persistence that endures, no matter where your journey
takes you, and no matter how long it takes?
If it is, then there is something wonderful in store for you. And, you
are indeed a wise man.
FINALLY:
Well, dear friend, it's nearly 1:30 A.M., Jo Ann and I have had an
incredibly long week, and I'm going to take a bath and go to bed.
Have a great week! It's a wonderful time to be alive ---- and ever
following the Star. Go wherever it takes you ---- you'll be glad you
did.
In His Bond,
Bob Tolliver ---- (Rom 1:11-12)
Copyright December, 1999. All rights reserved.
We would love to hear from you ---- prayer requests, insights, etc. Feel
free to drop us a note at <[email protected]>.
If this letter has blessed you and you know of someone else who needs to
be encouraged, feel free to forward it in its entirety to all such people
you know.
If you would like a list of past issues which you could receive upon
request, just let us know. Write <[email protected]>.
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Hang in there! I'm with you!
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