The Star Is Here
This blog post is Part 3 of our Christmas series entitled "It's Christmas Y'all!" by Pastor Jeffrey Dean Smith of Donelson First in Nashville, TN.
Message Date: December 15, 2024
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They appear in various colors depending on their surface temperature. Blue are the hottest, followed by white, yellow, orange, and red, which are the coolest. For example, the Sun is yellow with a surface temperature of around 9,932F. In some systems, one can siphon material from its companion. These are called “vampires” and often lead to dramatic changes, such as creating a nova or forming a supernova. The heaviest of these have the shortest lives and they burn through their nuclear fuel at incredible rates, often living much shorter lives. I am sure at one point you have looked up into the night sky, and on a clear night, have seen the remnants of such flash across the sky. Some are so dense that a mere sugar-cube-sized piece of their material would weigh about a billion tons on Earth. Others emit beams of radiation from their magnetic poles. As they spin, these beams sweep through space like a cosmic lighthouse, appearing to "pulse" when observed from Earth. Some can be viewed with the naked eye, as can be seen on a cloudless night.
Still some are ejected from their galaxies at speeds exceeding 1 million miles per hour. These hypervelocity objects are often flung out by interactions with super massive black holes. Heavier elements like carbon, oxygen, and iron are forged in the cores of some through nuclear fusion. And when massive ones die, they scatter elements into space, seeding new generations of the same. Some are so enormous that if placed at the center of our solar system, they would engulf mostly all of the planets orbiting the sun.
To what do I refer? A star.
There is only one star in our solar system. Which, of course is... the sun. All other stars, those we can see, and those we cannot, are in our universe, but are outside of our solar system. The exact number of stars in the universe is unknown, but it is estimated there are about 200 billion trillion stars in our universe alone. Stars are extremely important to God... so very important that the Heavenly Father knows them each by name:
He determines the number of the stars and calls them each by name. Psalm 147:4
Stars are so important to God, that at Creation, we are told:
God made two great lights - the greater light to govern the day and the lesser light to govern the night. He also made the stars. Genesis 1:16
How wonderful is this to know that God made something so unique and interesting as a star. He did not have to do so... but He did. And, what a gift for us! This is not a person here today who has not enjoyed at one point or the other looking into the sky on a cloud-less night, gazing at the beauty of the dark sky lit ablaze with the stars. The Psalmist wrote so eloquently:
When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is mankind that you are mindful of them, human beings that you care for them? Psalm 8:3-4
The prophet Isaiah articulated with equal expressivity:
Lift up your eyes and look to the heavens: Who created all these? He who brings out the starry host one by one and calls forth each of them by name. Because of his great power and mighty strength, not one of them is missing. Isaiah 40:26
And, as we have of recent studied, God even referenced the stars in the sky when offering to us another “marker” to the coming of the Christ. God told Abram:
... Look up at the sky and count the stars - if indeed you can count them. Then he said to him, so shall your offspring be. Genesis 15:5
It would be the lineage of Abraham, Issac, Jacob, and David through which the Savior, Jesus would be born in the city of David, Bethlehem. And even a pagan from Mesopotamia, Balaam said this:
I see him, but not now; I behold him, but not near. A star will come out of Jacob; a scepter will rise out of Israel. Numbers 24:17a
It is this “star” of whom Balaam speaks, that leads us to Matthew 2. Read with me this morning:
Matthew 2:1-11
Every time I read this story, I am left in wonder, in awe, with this bewildering question: “How did the star guide the Magi from the east to Bethlehem?” Well, as you contemplate this question, let’s first better comprehend: “Who were the Magi?” The short answer... no one knows absolutely for sure who were these men. But, as we often look to at Donelson First, the Greek here tells us this:
Magi / Greek / magos / n. = Sorcerer
At its purest definition, it is clear the Magi were not followers of the Holy God. Matthew writes that the Magi came "from the East," which likely refers to regions such as Persia, which is modern-day Iran, or Babylon, which is modern-day Iraq, or possibly, even Arabia. They were likely scholars skilled in astrology, astronomy, and perhaps even the sacred texts. I am of the belief they were linked to pagan studies and beliefs and traditions.
This is fascinating considering they choose to travel for a significantly long time to see a child whom they do not know of a Father whom they do not worship. So... this leads us again to “the star.” How did a star guide them on their long journey to the very place of the Christ? Well... get ready for this answer... I’ve been waiting to tell you this all week! The answer... I do not know! No one knows! And if they tell you they do, they are lying!
This answer is a difficult one for us as humans, because simply... we want all the answers to all of our questions. And when we don't get the answers we want, we often choose to devise our own beliefs... or even worse, not to believe at all. This is why so many find it difficult to imagine that in 6 days God created the heavens and the earth. This is why so many find it difficult to believe that God flooded the entirety of the Earth only allowing one family to survive. This is why so many find it difficult to believe that God held back the waters of the Red Sea, allowing the nation of Israel to cross on dry ground, then, looking back, to witness the bodies of their Egyptian enemy floating dead upon the shores of the Sea.
This is why so many find it difficult to believe that a Son of the living God could die on a cross, and in that one moment take on the entirety of the sins of humanity, be placed in a tomb for three days, and supernaturally come back to life forever conquering sin and death.
Without answers... some find it difficult to believe; believe in the indescribable Words of life; believe in the incomprehensible promise of eternity; believe in the illogical birth of a baby; believe in the inexplainable star in the sky. But friends, hear this today: You were never created to have every answer. And those who aspire for such will always be disappointed. You see... God cannot be contained by a logical resolution. God cannot be explained by a mere response. God cannot be minimized by a human remedy. The only one who knows how the star hung in the sky and set a convoy of wise men on the journey of a lifetime 2,000 years ago to voyage to a foreign land, to see a child born this most wonderful time of the year, to a young Mary and Joseph, is... God!
God did something so miraculous; so supernatural; so unexplainable; so incomprehensible, and so very indescribable when He led the Magi to follow the light of a star to meet the Savior of the world. Notice again the very specific text as to what the Magi say about the star:
Matthew 2:1-2
The Magi state... “We saw His star!” Even more bewildering... these pagan men of sorcery comprehend that this star is the star of the One born, the “King of the Jews” ... Consider this... We do not know from where the Magi travel. We do not know how many of them are traveling. We do not know how far they travel. We do know the Magi do not worship Jehovah God. We too know the Magi do not fully know the Old Testament teachings of the birth of Jesus. Otherwise, they would not stop to ask King Herod where they are to journey next. Look at the Old Testament teachings that show explicitly where the Christ is to be born:
But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times. Micah 5:2
So... they were not aware of these teachings, which means, they were not worshippers of the God of Abraham, Issac, Jacob and David. Think about this... We know they potentially travel for several years... putting their lives on hold for many, so very many months, to see a young child of whom they do not know, nor distinguish, as Isaiah said...
For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6
What is most horrific in all of this story, is the response of King Herod. In a story full of so very much excitement, and life and hope, is too a story of pride, fear, selfishness, and, of course, death. Herod was King of Judea from 37- 4 BC. And as I thought of the actions of this man this week, I couldn’t help but become emotional over his decision to kill innocent children. I am especially emotional this week, as Amy and I, proudly, and with several tears, watched our eldest daughter, Bailey Faith, walk across the stage at Belmont University Friday night graduating as a Belmont Bruin. I spent a significant amount of time this week thinking back over the last 23 years with Bailey - thinking about her first words, her first soccer game, and her first and last basketball game. I too recalled this week her birthday where, at around the age of 9 or 10, she asked for shoulder pads, cleats, and a football helmet! She was determined to be the first female quarterback at Donelson Christian Academy once reaching her high school years. Amy and I are so very proud of this girl, who has accomplished so very much and who has brought us so very much joy! I cannot imagine what it must've been like for those families in Bethlehem, to have their young baby boys ripped from their arms and murdered because a selfish and arrogant king was determined to do whatever he deemed necessary to protect his throne!
Matthew 2:13-18
Remember, Scripture reveals in Verse 3 that Herod was “disturbed” at the news of the Magi! Why? Well, King Herod was not a legitimate king of Israel by birth, as was Jesus. He was not a natural born Jew of the people of God. So when the Magi tell him they have come to see the “King of the Jews,” he goes wild! This illegitimate King is disturbed, concerned, that he is going to lose the throne. In his attempt to protect his throne, he orders the murders of all boys in Bethlehem two years old and younger. Such an act is in perfect unison with previous actions on the part of the King. We know that he ordered the execution of his wife, Mariamme and their two sons when he felt threatened that they were trying to overtake his kingdom. This authoritarian would not serve much longer as king, for he would soon die in his palace, his body consumed with diseases.
So... once arriving in Jerusalem, the Magi continue to follow the star Scriptures says, “went ahead of them.” They travel another 6 miles from Jerusalem to Bethlehem, almost directly south. We know the Magi have traveled for a very long time because of two verses. The first:
Matthew 2:11
Notice to where they arrive... not at a stable in Bethlehem. Instead, at a “house.” So, Joseph and Mary have left the stable and have gone home. We too know it has been approximately a several-year journey for the Magi because of this verse:
Matthew 2:16
So Scripture reveals to us that in “accordance with the time” the King had learned of the birth of Jesus from the Magi. So it appears that Jesus is around the age of 2 when the Magi arrive at his family’s house in Egypt after their long journey. After the Magi leave Bethlehem, we never hear of them again. Nor do we hear ever again of King Herod. So... I asked myself this question this week... over and again: “Why? Why do the Magi travel all of this distance over all of this time?” And secondly, “Why does God choose to include this information in the Holy Scriptures?”
Why? Why introduce into this most wonderful moment in history the brief narrative of the Magi and the horrific detail of the actions of the King of Judea? Think about it... this story of the coming of the Christ has been unfolding since Genesis 3. You may recall... and we have studied this before y’all... Adam and Eve sin at the beginning of time. Though they deserve immediate death, instead God shows up in the Garden of Eden. Even though he had every right to kill them, He instead does something most amazing. And the “most amazing” points directly to the coming of the Christ. This is actually the first marker God gives us in the story of humanity – pointing candidly at the need for His Son to come and redeem us all.
Genesis 3:21
God makes “skin” clothing for Adam and Eve. From where did the skin originate? From an animal. Blood had to be shed in order to cover over man’s sins. And it is at this moment, God reveals for the first time that, through the shedding of such blood in order to cover Adam and Eve’s nakedness, someone, must come to earth willing to shed their own blood in order to offer redemption to all of humanity. So thousands of years before the star appears in the sky over Bethlehem, another marker here in Genesis that introduces us to God’s plans. And over the span of time, from Genesis to Jesus, more than 300 prophecies are told of the One who is to come and make a way for you to have eternal life with God in heaven.
Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son and will call him Immanuel. Isaiah 7:14
Time and again, hundreds of times over, Scripture points to the one who will be the descendant of Abraham, Issac, Jacob and David... the One who will come, not with pomp and circumstance, nor with prestige and fame... but instead through a virgin, in a small town, on a quite night... the One who will change everything and everyone forever. Yet, once the Christ finally arrives, with all His magnificence... God injects into the story a short narrative – the Magi of whom we know very little and of whom we never hear from or of again. So again, I deliberated repeatedly this week...
Why? Why was this necessary? Why have men, who appear to have no allegiance to the Yahweh, travel over distance and years and challenges and weather and accommodations and all that comes with a convoy of people traveling from one nation to the next... Well... I presume the answer is found here... in two words. Listen for them:
Matthew 2:9-11
The two words: “worshipped him!” This is why!
God desires that all people of all nations come to worship the Christ.
Scripture reveals... The Magi were the first humans to worship Jesus! How interesting! Take this in today y’all... Within this most beautiful story at this most wonderful time of the year, the bearing of the Christ on our world cannot, must not, be overlooked. For, the first humans Scripture states, who worship the Christ upon His birth... are of the world... of another religion... of another nation... and of no prior allegiance to the Holy Father. This is the reply for the “why!” This is the reason for which came Jesus. This is the resolution for the star.
Though we, as a humanity, cannot explain apart from God’s hand of the supernatural, how Magi traveled so very far and so very long following a star... We can receive this truth today... The star in the sky, unlike any other star to ever appear in the sky, led people to travel far and to travel long simply... to “bow down and worship Him!”
You see... The star symbolizes the heart of God; the heart of a loving Father, who loves you so much that He sent His Son, so that whoever believes in Him, whoever is willing to follow the star, will find Him. And in doing so, will worship the One true Messiah, the One who has come to offer peace on earth to those on whom His favor rest.
Now... I am most sure that others prior to the arrival of the Magi at the home of Mary and Joseph worshipped the Christ-child. Of course there were the shepherds whom we studied last week Scripture states traveled “in haste” to see the baby. There too was the man, Simeon, who was in the temple when Jesus’ parents brought him there for the time of purification. And yet another, a prophetess, Anna, who, at the age of 84, was also in the temple on that day that Mary and Joseph brought a young, baby Jesus to the temple in Jerusalem. I am most assured that they each worshipped this child. However, Scripture specifically states that it was in fact the Magi who, for the first time, worshipped the Christ-child. And in doing so, the Magi did exactly what they told the King of Judea they would do! Did you notice this?
When the Magi first met King Herod, they told him exactly why they were there and what they would do! Read it again:
Matthew 2:1-2
“We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.” I ask you... Does the star marvel you in the same way in which it did the Magi? Does the star amaze you in the same way in which it did the Magi? Does the star leave you in awe in the same way in which it did the Magi? Does the star cause you to worship Him in the same way in which it did the Magi?
Yours, Lord, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the majesty and the splendor, for everything in heaven and earth is yours. Yours, Lord, is the kingdom; you are exalted as head overall. Wealth and honor come from you; you are the ruler of all things.
In your hands are strength and power to exalt and give strength to all. Now, our God, we give you thanks and praise your glorious name.
1 Chronicles 29:11-14
What is most majestic about the star is that it is unexplainable; it is incomprehensible; it is illogical. And it is all for this... So that you, during this most wonderful time of the year, and at all times of the year, simply...
Worship Him.
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Jeffrey Dean Smith is a husband, father to Bailey & Brynnan, author, and the Senior Pastor at Donelson First in Nashville, TN. If you are in Music City, meet Jeffrey and enjoy iced tea on the front lawn each Sunday at 10:30a.