Kings…seeking…

 Wise men….seeking …

As I watched a recent depiction of the Nativity, I was struck by their wisemen who came…they were from very different continents…one, Asian…another African …and another European…they were dressed to match their culture…they brought with them their families, wives and children plus entourages of many….the families joined one another in fellowship…the main wisemen gave their gifts to the baby Jesus, but their children were delighted with baby as well and gave gifts copying their fathers in adoration…

Their commonality was seeking the King…drawing various nations together …various cultures, people groups….

In times past, the Queen of Sheba, coming from afar, sought out Solomon for his wisdom, bringing gifts as well…

“Now when the queen of Sheba heard of the fame of Solomon concerning the name of the Lord, she came to test him with hard questions. She came to Jerusalem with a very great retinue, with camels bearing spices and very much gold and precious stones. And when she came to Solomon, she told him all that was on her mind. And Solomon answered all her questions; there was nothing hidden from the king that he could not explain to her. And when the queen of Sheba had seen all the wisdom of Solomon, the house that he had built, the food of his table, the seating of his officials, and the attendance of his servants, their clothing, his cupbearers, and his burnt offerings that he offered at the house of the Lord, there was no more breath in her. 

And she said to the king, “The report was true that I heard in my own land of your words and of your wisdom, but I did not believe the reports until I came and my own eyes had seen it. And behold, the half was not told me. Your wisdom and prosperity surpass the report that I heard. Blessed be the Lord your God, who has delighted in you and set you on the throne of Israel! Because the Lord loved Israel forever, he has made you king, that you may execute justice and righteousness.” Then she gave the king 120 talents of gold, and a very great quantity of spices and precious stones. Never again came such an abundance of spices as these that the queen of Sheba gave to King Solomon.”

1Kgs.10.1,1Kgs.10.2,1Kgs.10.3,1Kgs.10.4,1Kgs.10.5,1Kgs.10.6,1Kgs.10.7,1Kgs.10.9-10

The Ethiopian sought to find the truth…

“ Now an angel of the Lord said to Philip, “Rise and go toward the south to the road that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.” This is a desert place. And he rose and went. And there was an Ethiopian, a eunuch, a court official of Candace, queen of the Ethiopians, who was in charge of all her treasure. He had come to Jerusalem to worship and was returning, seated in his chariot, and he was reading the prophet Isaiah. And the Spirit said to Philip, “Go over and join this chariot.” So Philip ran to him and heard him reading Isaiah the prophet and asked, “Do you understand what you are reading?” And he said, “How can I, unless someone guides me?” And he invited Philip to come up and sit with him. Now the passage of the Scripture that he was reading was this:“Like a sheep he was led to the slaughterand like a lamb before its shearer is silent,so he opens not his mouth. In his humiliation justice was denied him.Who can describe his generation?For his life is taken away from the earth.” And the eunuch said to Philip, “About whom, I ask you, does the prophet say this, about himself or about someone else?” Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning with this Scripture he told him the good news about Jesus. And as they were going along the road they came to some water, and the eunuch said, “See, here is water! What prevents me from being baptized?” And he commanded the chariot to stop, and they both went down into the water, Philip and the eunuch, and he baptized him.

Acts.8.26-38

Paul travelled around on several journeys to spread the Good News…to seekers…

  

The disciples spread the Word after leaving Jerusalem….

“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”

Acts.1.8

People from all nations still seek this King…this Savior… and will continue to do so…

Various mission organizations work tirelessly to spread the Word to the “ends of the earth” to those seekers…from every continent, every tribe and nation…

Thank YOU…

 “Be still, and know that I am God.I will be exalted among the nations,I will be exalted in the earth!”

Ps.46.10

 https://www.davidjeremiah.org/whythenativity

 Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem, saying, “Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? 

For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.” 

When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him; and assembling all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. 

They told him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for so it is written by the prophet: “‘And you, O Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,are by no means least among the rulers of Judah;for from you shall come a rulerwho will shepherd my people Israel.’” 

Then Herod summoned the wise men secretly and ascertained from them what time the star had appeared. 

And he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, “Go and search diligently for the child, and when you have found him, bring me word, that I too may come and worship him.” 

After listening to the king, they went on their way. 

And behold, the star that they had seen when it rose went before them until it came to rest over the place where the child was. 

When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. 

And going into the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. 

Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh. 

And being warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed to their own country by another way.

Matt.2.1-12

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AtFTCE0PggM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zF952rzG3Yk

https://nationaltoday.com/three-kings-day/

Just for fun…

https://kids.nationalgeographic.com/celebrations/article/three-kings-day

Recipe for German three kings cake..there are several cultural cakes, each a bit different…

https://www.food.com/recipe/three-kings-cake-germany-423614