When They Saw The Star

‘When they saw the Star’

When the Wise Men from the East saw the Star they rejoiced. This Star they were following was a Sign.

During the Christmas Season we see many different Signs on display. In the shops we see some of the following Signs - ‘Visit Santa in our Store Today’ ; ‘Late Night Shopping’ ; ‘Christmas Gifts for all the Family’ ; ‘Welcome to Toyworld’ ; ‘Christmas Trees for Sale’.

At this time of the year many of our relatives and friends who have emigrated to various parts of the world return home. The Airlines put on extra flights and the Shipping Companies organise several extra sailings to facilitate the many thousands of visitors that arrive here during the Christmas Season.

Many of the local Hotels, Guest-Houses and B & B’s are booked out in advance. Some of those seeking accommodation during the Holiday Season are disappointed when they see the following signs displayed on the front doors of the Hostelries – ‘No Vacancies’ ; ‘Full Up’ ; ‘We Reserve the right to Refuse Admission’ ; ‘No Room’.

What a disappointment it must have been for St Joseph and the Virgin Mary on the very first Christmas when they arrived at the door of a Guest-House in Bethlehem only to discover that – ‘There was No Room for them in the Inn’. (Luke 2 v 7)

The baby in Mary’s womb had been conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit. An angel had appeared to Joseph in a dream and said to him - ‘She (Mary) shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins’. (Matthew 1 v 21)

Little did the owner of the Guest-House realise that he was refusing entry not only to Joseph and Mary but also to the Saviour.

Dear Friend, let me ask you a question! What would you do if the Saviour knocked on your door today seeking admission? I’m sure you would probably answer this question by telling me you would definitely invite Him in.

But let me ask you another question! How have you responded to the fact that for quite some time Jesus has been knocking on the door of your heart, (the door of your life) seeking admission?

Jesus says – ‘Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: If any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me’. (Revelation 3 v 20)

Have you invited Him in? Or has He been disappointed to see the following Signs on the door of your life – ‘Full Up’ ; ‘I Reserve The Right To Refuse Admission’ ; ‘No Room.’

Perhaps you feel your life is full right now and there is no room in it for Jesus? Maybe you have decided to keep Him outside by exercising your right to refuse admission? Perhaps you have decided you will consider allowing Him in eventually, but not until you have enjoyed life to the full?

But friend, let me ask you a few more questions! How do you know Jesus will continue to seek admission to your life? Did you know that the Lord has said –

‘My Spirit shall not always strive with man’. (Genesis 6 v 3)

What makes you think He will knock again tomorrow if you refuse Him entry today? How do you know you will have the opportunity to open the door tomorrow and invite Him in?

Some of your friends have probably died suddenly! What a tragedy if they still had the Sign that says – ‘No Room’ - on their hearts when they died? If they did then they went out into eternity without Christ.

But why is the Lord knocking on the door of YOUR heart? Why does He want to come into YOUR life? Why has He come to YOUR door? When Jesus entered the home of Zacchaeus He said –

‘This day is Salvation come to this house…For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost’. (Luke 19 vs 9, 10)

Zacchaeus, like to rest of mankind, was a sinner –‘For ALL have sinned, and come short of the glory of God’. (Romans 3 v 23)

ALL sinners are subject to the penalty for sin – ‘For the wages of sin is Death.’
(Romans 6 v 23)

This includes not only Physical death but also Spiritual death (eternal separation from God and conscious everlasting suffering in the fires of Hell). ALL sinners are LOST and cannot save themselves from the penalty for sin.

Jesus’ disciples asked Him the following question – ‘Who then can be saved?’ He replied – ‘With men this is impossible’. (Matthew 19 vs 25, 26) The Lord was saying that it is impossible for a person to save himself.

Membership of a particular Church and involvement in Religious exercises such as Novenas, Pilgrimages, or Penance cannot save a sinner. The Sacraments of the Church have no power to save. Nobody can earn salvation by good works, fasting, self-denial or saying prayers. No Church on earth has the power to save a sinner.

Friend, let me ask you a very important question! Are you depending for your Salvation upon a scheme devised by a religious organisation or some society, cult or sect? Down through the centuries men have suggested that there are various ways by which people can be saved. But remember what Jesus said – ‘With men this is impossible’. It is impossible for man to earn or merit Salvation. But Jesus goes on to say – ‘But with God all things are possible’. (Matthew 19 v 26)

God has provided ONE way whereby sinners can be saved. Jesus said –

‘I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me’.
(John 14 v 6)

St Peter, referring to Jesus, said – ‘Neither is there Salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved ’. (Acts 4 v 12)

During this Christmas Season it is good for us to remind ourselves of WHY God the Son left the splendour of Heaven and humbled Himself to be born in a manger in Bethlehem.

In the New Testament St Paul explains that - ‘Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners’. (1Timothy 1 v 15)

He came to SEEK and to SAVE the lost. This is why He is knocking on the door of YOUR heart. He is seeking entry to your life. He wants you to repent of your sins and to put your faith in Him, trusting Him to save your soul. He died on the cross as your substitute and paid the penalty for your sins. Because of this your sins can be forgiven.

The giving and receiving of gifts is one of the great Christmas customs. As you celebrate Christmas this year the Lord is offering you the gift of eternal life –

‘…The GIFT of God is eternal life, through Jesus Christ our Lord’. (Romans 6 v 23) He is offering it to you right now. All you’ve got to do is to reach out by faith and receive it.

Acknowledging the fact that you are a sinner, come to Him in sincere repentance, asking Him to forgive you and trusting Him to save you. Why not invite Him into your heart right now? - ‘Behold, NOW is the accepted time; behold, NOW is the day of Salvation’. (2 Corinthians 6 v 2)

Remember Jesus will only enter your life by invitation. So why not take down the Sign that says– ‘NO ROOM’- and replace it with one that says –‘WELCOME’.