Star Of Publicizing

Having come to the end of the first full week of January 2025, we are well on the way, in hope and trust in our Ever Loving, Ever Faithful and Ever Coming to us, God. We stand more convinced in our hearts and minds that God’s stars, whether we see them or not, always bring us safely and victoriously to the exact place where Jesus is. We are given freedom, privilege and access to bow low before our King, Jesus, and worship Him with our gifts. 

We have looked at two of the three offered stars, which the Holy Spirit has brought before us in this opening year. These were, the Star of Prayer and the Star of Perseverance, for epiphany has come to us and will come to us in different forms.

The Christmas Carol, 'We Three Kings Of Orient Are', was our reference. Here are the verse and chorus on which we were led to focus.

We three kings of Orient are; bearing gifts we traverse afar,

Field and fountain, moor and mountain, following yonder star,

Chorus

O star of wonder, star of light, star with royal beauty bright,

Westward leading, still proceeding, guide us to thy perfect light.

Publicizing - We follow the Star of Publicizing, as we are made fully aware of God’s manifestations to us. Without fear of condemnation, criticism and being called unpleasant names, Gentiles publicize the arrival of, the King of the Jews. We know that they are speaking about their mission, as they follow the star, Westward leading, still proceeding. Think about it, these are all men who have received an Epiphany from God. They know, from the star, that Messiah has been born and they leave the East to travel to the West. These men respond with excitement, curiosity, joy and utter hope, as they go. This is no secret news, for God never sent a secret star to the East, to Gentiles. Faith would have us hear, see and believe that as these wise men went, they proudly made their mission known.

Listen to them as they arrive in Jerusalem. They are asking, Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? Matthew 2: 2a. I ask you, are they not publicizing news about Jesus? We are not told exactly to whom they are speaking these words, who they are asking about Jesus. Nevertheless, it is evident that they are asking whomsoever they meet on the streets. They do not know people in the West as such, to know where they live and go in search of them, to ask them. Don’t you see them asking people randomly, as they traverse the streets of Jerusalem?

This is the one, the big one that gets me. It is because of the wise men, publicizing the birth of Messiah that King Herod got to hear about the New Born King. Don’t forget, Herod did not hear this News first-hand. No! He heard about it, suggesting that some one of his servants or advisers heard and told him. The point being made is that right in Jerusalem, just a stone’s throw from Bethlehem in Judea, the Good News was not known by the king. It took wise men, who had travelled from a long way away, to be the first to publicize the Birth of Messiah in Jerusalem.  

I have found this most enlightening, exposing and ever so convicting. Haven’t you? This is what convicts me most. When I think, without even meeting or seeing Messiah, these wise men are witnessing to Him, makes me hang my head in shame. When I see their energy, their drive and their enthusiastic perseverance, as Gentiles, to come into Jerusalem, asking for the King of the Jews, is totally humbling.

As we are given privilege to move on in this new month, may we never lose sight of the fact that we have been blessed with the Star of Prayer, the Star of Perseverance and the Star of Publicizing, leading, guiding and protecting us as we daily seek to know and show our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ.