The Search for More

The star they had seen when it rose went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. (Matthew 2:9-11)

Images of the Christmas story are familiar to most of us–rocky hillsides, dusty roads, shepherds, sheep, and crude structures are all things we would expect to find in the rural desert land where Jesus was born. Scripture doesn’t tell us anything about the wise men’s appearance or how they traveled into town, but it’s safe to assume their presence in Bethlehem must have created a scene that was out of the ordinary.

We read yesterday that the wise men had the eyes to recognize the wonder of a star. Matthew 2:1 tells us that they were from the east–perhaps Babylonia, which is now modern-day Iraq. The Greek word magos, which is used to describe the wise men in the original text, describes them as scholar-priests. This description no doubt means they were educated men–a select few who were very knowledgeable about religion and culture. Certainly they held positions of power and were greatly respected. Even their ability to embark on such a lengthy journey indicates they were men of wealth who probably traveled with a large entourage.

The wise men had “successful” lives in terms of what the world values. They did not need more money or accolades. So why did they put aside everything to go and follow a star? What compelled them to travel hundreds of miles through barren terrain and unknown dangers to find a promised king? What did they hope to gain? What did they long to find?

At one time or another, all of us sense that we are made for more. We ask questions and go on journeys to find the answers. Often we feel that something is missing–that we need something more in order for our lives to be right. But not all of us recognize what this need for more truly is. In fact, many people who yearn for more end up focusing on simply getting more of the same–more wealth, more success, more recognition, more possessions, more pleasure–more of everything that has already left them unsatisfied and unfulfilled.

While it seems elusive, the root of this consuming desire is actually no mystery at all. Through Scripture God has revealed the answer: “I have called you by name; you are Mine” (Isaiah 43:1 NASB). Our hearts long for more than we can see, for something bigger than ourselves, because we belong to God. God has “set eternity in the human  heart” (Ecclesiastes 3:11), and so deep within we long for him–no matter our gender, race, or nationality. The psalmist proclaimed,

Deep calls to deep, in the roar of your waterfalls;
      all your waves and breakers have swept over me.

By day the LORD directs his love, at night his song is with me–
      a prayer to the God of my life.
                                        (Psalm 42:7-8)

We cannot know all that motivated the wise men to seek Jesus, but we do know that the same God who prompted their journey calls to us today. The longing with each of us is a yearning for something more than this world can provide; we long for our Savior. As St. Augustine wrote, “Thou has made us for thyself, and restless is our heart until it comes to rest in thee.”

Prayer Focus:
In what ways have your been searching for more? Describe the yearnings you are feeling, and ask God to satisfy those longings today.

Each day you will receive a new devotion from “The Wonder of Christmas” study by Robb Renfroe and Ed Robb that we are doing each week at Grace Wesleyan, Fort Lauderdale.