MATTHEW 2:2
THE TENTH DAY OF CHRISTMAS - FRIDAY, JANUARY 4, 2008
THEY STOPPED TO ASK
2 saying, “Where is He who has been born King of the
Jews? For we have seen His star in the East and have come to worship Him.”
ST. MATTHEW 2:2 (NKJV)
There is a story that is meant to be humorous that finds its way into
Inboxes...often more than once. The story suggests that if it had been
Three Wise Women, it would have turned out better for three reasons. One
of the reasons given is that the women would have gotten there earlier
because they would have stopped to asked directions.
It is too bad that the person who wrote this was not familiar with the
Biblical account. The Wise Men did stop and ask directions. Do you know
why they stopped to ask directions when they were doing well just
following the Bright Star? This is just speculation on my part. I believe
that the Wise Men traveled at night because of the extreme heat of the
day. In addition, I believe that they came in sight of Jerusalem during
the daylight and continued on there. Because it was day, the star was not
shining and they wanted to continue on, so they stopped and asked, “Where
is He who has been born King of the Jews?”
On this the Tenth Day of Christmas, as well as every day, it is important
that we stop and ask. Note that I did not add any words after the
word, ask. We all are on a journey to an Unknown Place to see Jesus, but
we are also at different stages of that Journey. On our Journey, it does
not seem to matter if we are male or female; not many stop and ask. This
is nothing to be ashamed of as long as we recognize it and take steps to
ask so that we do know the way to continue our journey.
If we fast forward and listen and hear the Christ Child who grew to
Manhood as He speaks and tells the disciples that He is going to go and
prepare a place for them in His Father’s house of many mansions and that
they will know the way. The disciples could have done what many do --
continued on with their lives and maybe asking each other, what did Jesus
mean, we don’t know where He is going? Thomas did the right thing. Right
then, while Jesus was there, Thomas asked. “We don’t know where you are
going and how can we know the way?” Jesus responded, “I am the way, the
truth and the life, no man cometh unto the Father but by me.”
The Wise Men asked, “Where is He?” and they received an answer.
Thomas asked, “How can we know the way?” and he received an answer.
If you ask whatever question you have, Jesus will answer because He is the
only One who can lead you to your Heavenly Home.
The Wise Men received an answer and acted upon it.
Thomas and the disciples received an answer and acted upon it.
You will receive an answer, will you act upon it?
WE PRAY:
Ask what thou wilt, believing heart,
The answering time will come;
Pray and believe—that is thy part,
The answering time will come. AMEN
(first verse of “THE ANSWERING TIME WILL COME” from cyberhymnal.org)
A SUGGESTION FOR LIVING THE DEVOTION
One of the directions we often need is to get those things out of our
lives that keep us from yielding ourselves to God. We all have these
blockages and know what some of them are. Select one of them and pray
daily for directions from Jesus that you will be able to remove that
blockage from your road to Eternity.