Follow Me......

Last night provided a beautiful December sky filled with stars and while looking at that sky, it made me wonder about a star of long ago, a star of great significance. That star appeared in the sky standing out from all the others in such a way that it altered the course of all mankind including kings or more accurately quoted in Matthew, wise men. Matthew 2:1-12 tells the story of the star, the wise men and a King.

The message of the star was so prominent that the wise men abandoned all to follow it. The star announced the arrival of the coming foretold by prophets, the arrival of the King of the Jews. The Bible indicates that the star appeared at the birth of Jesus and from all historical accounts it was two years before the wise men arrived at the house of Mary and Joseph where the star stopped.

These wise men willingly gave up everything to follow the star. For more than two years they left their lifestyles, homes, families, and conveniences in search of a king. Can you imagine the ridicule they would have received from family and friends? They may have heard things like, "are you crazy" or "have you lost your mind" and maybe even faced rejection because they sought God in this way, a way that others may perceive as radical.

Later in the Book of Matthew, it tells of the baby Jesus the wise men sought being grown and beginning to teach the Kingdom of Heaven. As Jesus travels, He selects disciples saying "follow me". He selected 12 men asking them to leave their homes, families and friends just like the wise men who followed the star.

Would you be willing to give up your family, friends and lifestyles to follow Jesus? These wise men and disciples abandoned all tradition and religious teachings to follow the Messiah. Maybe you would ask the same question of yourself, "am I crazy" or "have I lost my mind" thinking about changing anything about yourself to be a follower of Christ.  The distinction here is that they became followers of Christ, not followers of religion.

The difference between those who view following Christ as radical craziness and those who feel the stirring in their heart to follow him is this; those who feel the stirring have been called.

John 10:3
The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.

The story of the wise men isn't only about the gifts they brought to Jesus, but rather about being called by name and led to go where He leads.

The wise men followed the star until it stopped and the Bible says they were overwhelmed with joy and then entered the house to pay the child homage. We who are called to follow the Star are beckoned to follow our Savior until He calls us home.

The same Bible that foretold of the Savior's birth also tells of His coming, and He's coming again for those who follow His voice. He's coming to remove His church from the coming destruction that takes place before He comes again to set up His Kingdom on earth. The church He calls must be willing to give up everything and live a holy life that reflects His light. We who answer this call must shine like the stars in the night sky directing others to follow.

Luke 9:23
Then he said to them all: "Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me.

When He calls us home, we too will be overwhelmed with joy! We will enter there and pay our Savior homage.

Matthew 24:31
And he will send his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of the heavens to the other.

This Christmas as your schedules fill with preparations for a holiday that has been stolen by Santa, decorations that have nothing to do with a Deliverer,  and a light on the end of a reindeer's nose, lets stop to consider the real meaning of the celebration.  The real meaning is the birth of a Babe, a Deliverer, a Savior, a King who invites you to "follow me".

View News Archive