Knowing prophecy but not following reveals the hearts of the religious leaders at the birth of Jesus. Matthew 2:1Not long after the birth of Jesus wise men from eastern lands arrived in Jerusalem, asking, 2 “Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We saw his star as it rose, and we have come to worship him.”[1]
As the Wisemen asked this question, the religious leaders should have been able to tell them about the coming of the Messiah and how they had already gone to worship Him. But that was not true. Matthew 2:3 King Herod was deeply disturbed when he heard this, as was everyone in Jerusalem. [2]
King Herod was disturbed because he viewed this newborn king as threatening his rulership. Matthew 2:4 He called a meeting of the leading priests and teachers of religious law and asked, “Where is the Messiah supposed to be born?” 5 “In Bethlehem in Judea,” they said, “for this is what the prophet wrote: 6 ‘And you, O Bethlehem in the land of Judah, are not least among the ruling cities of Judah, for a ruler will come from you who will be the shepherd for my people Israel.’ ” [3]
So Close, so Far
King Herod asked the religious leaders to tell the Wisemen what God’s word said about the Messiah being born. They quickly answered. Although they were familiar with the prophecy, it was only head knowledge. They had information about the Messiah, but their hearts were not transformed by God’s words that spoke about Him.
The prophet Micah had given the exact location of the Messiah’s birth seven centuries earlier in Micah 5:2. Like many people today, you can know about God but lack the desire to understand and believe. In many ways, they were in a spiritual fog created by their hardened hearts.
I read a pastor’s testimony not long ago that he was a pastor for ten years before he became a believer in Jesus. We can be well-versed in God’s word, but it does little good if we don’t let Jesus into our hearts. Giving our hearts to Jesus means giving our life to Jesus in faith.
Responding to the Voice of the Holy Spirit
The same sun that bakes clay melts ice, so it is with our hearts and how we respond to the Lord. God’s word tells us repeatedly to seek His face. How can I seek the face of God when He is invisible? The Lord gives us a promise. Jeremiah 29:13 If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me. [4]
Maybe you are searching for the Lord today as you face circumstances in your life that are calling you to look to God. He wants to be found and reveal Himself to us, but we must seek Him with all our hearts. Our desire to find, know, and hear from Him has to be stronger than the world’s pull.
Like many others, I am often guilty of seeking His hand to provide for my needs rather than His face so I can see Him. If you seek the Lord, you will discover more about who God is. He is calling each of us to seek Him. I pray that God would open your eyes to see Him as you seek Him.
To learn more about knowing prophecy but not following, listen here:
https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/seeking-jesus
[1-4] Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation. Tyndale House Publishers.