Running From or Running To?
“Then Herod summoned the wise men secretly and ascertained from them what time the star had appeared. And he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, “Go and search diligently for the child, and when you have found him, bring me word, that I too may come and worship him.” (Matthew 2:7-8)
Growing up in south Mississippi, each of us have experienced that wonderful and rowdy pastime of trying to catch a greased pig. The children gather around, running and panting as that slippery slice of bacon slides out of their reach. No event better describes the human heart which is “deceitful above all things.” (Jer. 17:9) Thus in Matthew 2, we have two different actors attempting to do the same thing, but not with the same intention. Both Herod and the magi desire to worship Christ – one to kill and to keep his riches, the other to live and leave his. Do you know what we call that? A hypocrite. John Calvin says: “A hypocrite in times of prosperity will happily magnify God loudly and publicly, but if the situation is reversed, we then see a very different person. And why is that? Because such people do not reverence God unless He accommodates Himself to them. And what kind of reverence is that?” What kind of reverence is that?
The magi have little knowledge of who Christ is; Herod has the entirety of the Old Testament Scriptures and the local seminary. The magi are willing to travel across the known world; Herod is unwilling to travel across Hinds County. The magi bring gifts from their kingdom; Herod refuses to give up his own. The magi give up an earthly thing for a heavenly; Herod retains an earthly thing and brings hell with it. The magi give Jesus their hearts; Herod gives Jesus his hatred. And yet both claim to worship. Our God does not want your words. He lays claim to your heart, to the very seat of what makes you “you.” If our worship does not cost us something, then it is not worship. David himself says, “I will not offer burnt offerings to the LORD my God that cost me nothing.”
Each year, consumer credit spending skyrockets as parents line the Christmas tree with gifts for their children and grandchildren. Husbands work odd jobs to provide the best for their wives. Children stay up extra late to make gifts for their parents. “He does not love in reality who desires not to communicate himself to the object of his affection.” (Herman Witsius) If we are willing to lavish such time, such effort, such expense upon those we love on earth, are we willing to do so for He whom we love in heaven? That, my friends, is the crucial difference between the magi and Herod. Which side do we fall on?
As a point of personal privilege, let me extend an invitation. On December 17th at 6:00pm, Raymond Presbyterian Church will have their annual candle light service, featuring a reading of the Christmas story and special music by Mary Margaret Culpepper and Tanja Mirić. We will have refreshments for all afterwards in our newly remodeled Fellowship Hall. Bring your family and friends and worship the Savior with us!
