Choosing Wisely

I've been reading through the Gospels the last few weeks and I've picked up a thread in two stories - both involving choices.

The first is found in the Christmas story, the story of Jesus' birth, in Matthew, chapter 2. It's the story of the Wise Men - the Magi, and of Herod - the king.

Let's begin with the Magi. Somehow, these men, no one is 100% sure who they were - exactly, had heard the prophecies, no one knows how - exactly, of a King to be born in Jerusalem. Verses 1 & 2 say that when they saw a "star" in the East, they made a decision, a choice, to follow that star and to come and honor this King. Upon finding this King, they made another decision to worship Him. They had already sacrificed their time to seek Him; later they would sacrifice from their treasure, with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh, to honor Him as well. They were filled with hopeful expectations and excitement to find this King. After a brief visit with Herod, they resumed their search and Scripture says they "rejoiced with exceedingly great joy" when the star again appeared to them to finish leading them to the King.

Contrast their mood and expectations with that of Herod, the king. Verse 3 says that when Herod heard that the Wise Men were seeking the new born "King of the Jews," he was "troubled." In verse 8, rather than put the time and effort in seeking out the child, he sent people to find the child for him. And finally, in verse 16, we see that Herod did not desire to worship the King, he desired to kill Him. There were no sacrifices to the king in either time or treasure, and there was no worship.

The other story of choice comes from the end of Jesus' life - at the Crucifixion (Luke 23). The people gathered around the cross, with few exceptions, were mocking and blaspheming Jesus. Two thieves were being executed with Jesus. They represent the same two choices we all have to make.

One of the thieves is openly mocking this crucified King along with the rest of the crowd. That's the easy thing to do, isn't it, to kind of go along with the crowd and mock and ridicule?

The other thief makes the wise choice. Verses 40 - 42: But the other, answering, rebuked him, saying, "Do you not even fear God, seeing you are under the same condemnation? And we indeed justly, for we receive the due reward of our deeds; but this Man has done nothing wrong. Then he said to Jesus, "Lord, remember me when You come into Your kingdom."

What's the reward for his stand, for his faith? Eternal life with the King! Verse 43: And Jesus said to him, "Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise."

So how about you? I wonder this Christmas - which choice have you made? Will you seek the King? Will you honor Him with your time and treasures? I usually dislike "bumper sticker" theology, but this one I like - "Wise Men Still Seek Him." Are you making the wise choice this year?