Another Route
Are you thankful for navigation on your phone? All you have to do is open up your navigation app, type in the destination, and Bam! You have your destination, ETA, route information, and a visual map. To add to all this, you have someone, male or female, telling you where to go. One of the best is the “boy band” feature. Try it! However, one of the best features in the navigation app is alternate routes. You can set your trip for the fastest route, shortest mileage, or to factor in all HOV lanes. What a gift of modern technology. This is such a gift because if you live in or near Atlanta, GA, your navigation will help you with alternate routes due to construction or traffic. Your navigation app detects the issue and gives you the option to select the alternate route that will save you time.
Matthew Chapter 2 tells the story of the wise men going to see Jesus. They had been in the presence of King Herod, and now they were on their way to find the new King Jesus. They traveled on a route that would take them directly to where Jesus had been born. They did not have navigation like we do, but they followed a star. Isn’t that awesome? They were being directed to Jesus by heavenly navigation. God who created all things placed a star over Bethlehem to direct them to Jesus. You can’t have any better navigation!
The text in Matthew 2:10 says, “when they saw the star, they were overwhelmed with joy!” Can you imagine the emotion? Can you imagine the pure, exceeding joy? These men traveled no less than 400 miles and some writers believe it could have been up to 9,125 miles. That is a great distance. These men traveled following a star. Traveling by star took an amount of trust. Speaking of trust, my father-in-law does not trust the navigation app. When we ride together, my wife and I set up the navigation trusting it will take us to our destination. However, he is telling us where to turn, and it is not what our navigation is telling us. He has traveled that road before and he has his way, his memory, and his trusted experience. The wise men trusted God’s navigation system.
Not only did they experience great joy, when they saw Him, they worshipped Him. I have always tried to imagine what that worship scene was like. These men traveled a long distance to see Jesus. Now, they are standing in the presence of divinity. The King who will one day take away the sins of the world. The God-man wrapped in flesh. Right before their eyes, here is the child who had been prophesied for hundreds of years. Did they break into a hallelujah chorus? Or did they sing Joy to the World? Matthew says, “when they saw the child with Mary his mother, and falling on their knees, they worshipped him.” Falling to their knees was an ancient custom to kings. There is a new King in town. Now, they fall to their knees and worship. What did they say? What was going on in that moment? I don’t know, but I am sure there was an emotion that came over them like they had never experienced before.
As they worship, they present Jesus with gifts - gold, frankincense and myrrh. These were costly luxury items. These gifts were appropriate for royalty. The gifts were the best gifts they had to give to a King. Jesus deserved the best gifts. After they worshiped, verse 12 says, “And being warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their own country by another route.” The Wise Men left with instructions from King Herod only to receive instructions from divine guidance. God navigated them to His Son, and God gave them navigation back home. This time the navigation led them home by another route.
As I read those last words I thought to myself:
I come to you by a route filled with self-driven motives, unbeliefs, passions and desires of the flesh but I leave your presence by another route.
I leave on a different path that is filled with joy and worship. You cleansed me. You healed me. You forgave me. You unshackled my life that was heavy. You assured me of Your love. You are enough Jesus.
In this life:
Are the Bible and the Holy Spirit your navigation?
Will you bring your life to Jesus?
I promise you one thing, after you spend time in the presence of Jesus, you will leave by another route.
