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‘When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy.’
Mat_2:10
I. The leading of the star.—The star led the Wise Men to Jesus Christ, and so, too, may we be led to Him in some such way. Astronomy is a very fascinating study in itself, and it can hardly fail to make us realise something of the vastness of God. The distances from our earth to some of these stars are known to be inconceivably great. The light from the nearest star outside the system of our own sun and the planets is known to take some four years to reach our earth, and light can travel a distance of eight times round the world in a second. Surely facts like these may do something to lead us to know God’s infinite greatness and our own insignificance.
II. Stars as types.—The star was the sign that led the Wise Men to seek Jesus, and we may think too of the stars as types of some of those lights, as it were, in the darkness that may guide us if we will to His feet.
(a) Christian friendship shining like a beacon light in the darkness is often the star that has led to Christ. The Wise Men on their journey were a comfort one to another. Each one wanted to find Christ, each one had gifts to offer to Him, and so they cheered each other on their way.
(b) The quiet influence of some friends may have been very precious to us. A quiet, steady, gentle light shone from them as if from a star that told of powers hidden away that were the strength and force of their character. Their lives were to us an open Bible that told us of God’s laws. They were those whom we really loved and trusted. Let us take care that our own star is shining, that our lamps are alight to show others the way.
(c) The circumstances of life may be stars that lead us to the Lord Jesus Christ. The Wise Men left country, home, all that was dear to them. There were dangers and hardships on the road for them to bear, but when they found the child cradled in a manger stall, and had faith enough to see God’s plans through it all, they worshipped Christ and offered Him their gifts. Others besides the Wise Men have been led by hardship and disappointment to find joy and peace in Christ. Welcome whatever God may see fit to send. Let us look, then, for the stars that lead to Christ, and follow whither they lead. We give the incense of prayer, the gold of loyal obedience, and the myrrh of thanksgiving. There is still in Christ a welcome for all who turn to Him.
Illustration
‘It has been calculated that a “conjunction” (i.e. an apparent near approach) of Saturn and Jupiter occurred in b.c. 6, and some have thought to account in this way for the “star” seen by the Magi. But no planet could have “gone before them,” to the very spot; and if the narrative is to be taken literally, the meteor must have been sent miraculously. Alford makes out a strong case in favour of the natural “conjunction” being referred to, but Pritchard (in Smith’s Dictionary of the Bible) seems clearly to disprove it. The Magi may have connected the appearance of the star at that particular time with the birth of the Messiah, through knowing Daniel’s prophecy, uttered in Chaldea, Dan_9:24-26, or from a tradition of Balaam’s words (himself from the East), Num_24:17; or (through the Jews resident in Persia and Babylonia) from the Messianic predictions generally. Some curious prophecies in the sacred books of Persia, the “Zend-Avesta,” are also mentioned by Bp. Ellicott (Huls. Lect., pp. 72, 77, notes). But a special revelation was probably given them, as afterwards (Mat_2:12). We are not to suppose that the star shone all the time. When they saw it, they went to Jerusalem as the natural place to find the “King of the Jews.” Then, on their starting for Bethlehem, the star re-appeared.’
GOD’S DEALINGS WITH MEN
I. What is ‘the star’?—It is not, of course, Christ, though sometimes Christ is called ‘The Bright and Morning Star.’ But it must shadow out something which leads us to Christ, as that ‘star’ conducted the Magi to Bethlehem. What is it?
(a) An aspiration, a fine aspiration of the soul, is always a ‘star.’ Who has not felt it? Never trifle with an aspiration!
(b) A conviction,—a strong conviction in the mind,—is ‘a star.’ It may be a conviction of sin: it may be a conviction of some new truth: it may be a conviction of the need and value of Christ. Those convictions are direct emanations from God.
(c) A scriptural thought is a ‘star’ in the soul. It may come in a book; it may come in a sermon; it may come from a friend’s lips; it may come in no apparent channel at all. Receive it. Use it. And it will flood into greater and greater light. It will make and mark a path,—a path to heaven!
(d) A pious thought that darts into the mind may bring a gleam of light. Go with it: go with it all the way; and it will land you in glory!
II. The final resting-place of ‘the star’ was the Lord Jesus Christ,—the centre of light,—the fountain of truth,—the heart’s home,—the goal of life,—the cradle of our eternity. Do not let any seeker in the school of knowledge,—do not let any real enquirer,—do not let any traveller truth-wards,—think that his journey is done, and his quest finished, till he has found the answer to the question of his mind,—the solution of the problem of life,—the quiet refuge from himself, from his sins, and his sorrows, and the world,—in Jesus only!
—
The Rev. James Vaughan.
Illustration‘When Leonardo da Vinci had finished his celebrated picture of the Last Supper, he introduced a friend to inspect the work privately, and give his judgment regarding it. “Exquisite!” exclaimed his friend; “that wine-cup seems to stand out from the table as solid glittering. silver.” Thereupon the artist quietly took a brush and blotted out the cup, saying: “I meant that the Figure of Christ should first and mainly attract the observer’s eye, and whatever diverts attention from Him must be blotted out.” ’