Seeking

Introduction

Show a video clip or read the text from Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas. The scene is how Christmas “came just the same.”)

Years ago, Dr. Seuss wrote a book called How the Grinch Stole Christmas. Many of you know the story, which happens in the town of Whoville. The Grinch hated seeing and hearing all the people celebrating Christmas--so he tries to figure out a way to stop Christmas from coming to Whoville.

He decides if he steals all the presents, decorations, and special Christmas food then he can stop Christmas from coming. The Grinch spends the whole night before Christmas sneaking around and stealing everything Christmassy from all the houses in Whoville. When Christmas morning comes the Grinch is shocked his plan didn't work--Christmas still comes to Whoville. The people are still happy and they gather hand-in-hand to sing Christmas songs. He learns Christmas is more than just presents and decorations.

In Matthew 2:1-12 we see a Grinch. This is the story of the Magi finding the Christ-child. [Read the Matthew text here.] Let’s zoom in on these characters a little more closely.

Magi

(Illustration:) 3 Wise Women. Do you know what would have happened if it had been three wise women instead of three wise men? They would have asked for directions, arrived on time, helped deliver the baby, cleaned the stable, made a casserole, brought practical gifts, and there would be Peace On Earth. (Anonymous)

We don’t know how many magi there actually were. We assume three because there were three gifts. We do know they were: men of science--astronomers, highly educated, wealthy, upper class citizens, and highly respected in their Gentile culture. The magi were not particularly prone to faith in Jewish religion being Gentiles. These men were virtually the exact opposite of the shepherds. In essence they were seekers after the truth, visionaries, and spiritual.

Herod

Herod the Great reigned from 37-4 B.C. He was a non-Jew, an Idumean, who was appointed by the Roman Senate. He was ruthless: murdering his wife, three sons, mother-in-law, brother-in-law, uncle, and many others. No wonder he had no problem killing so many babies in Bethlehem. His reign was noted for splendor. He constructed many theaters, amphitheaters, monuments, pagan altars, and fortresses. His greatest work was the rebuilding of the Temple in Jerusalem, begun in 20 B.C. and totally completed in 64 A.D. It was destroyed by the Romans 6 years later (in 70 A.D.). He was choleric in personality. He was power hungry, self-absorbed, and ruthless.

Chief Priests and Teachers of the Law

The chief priests and teachers of the Law were trained and educated in the details of scripture, but spiritually ignorant. They knew the right answers, but didn’t possess the right heart.
Jesus

Jesus was the real King of the Jews.

The Conflict

In this story we see some conflicts taking place. Between Herod and the Magi: Herod tried to mask the conflict, but in reality he was at odds with them. Herod’s true colors came out when the magi didn’t go back and tell him where the Messiah was. Between Herod and Jesus: Jesus was a threat to Herod. Jesus was the Messiah, the true King of the Jews. Herod was an imposter. He was not entitled to the throne by heritage or divine choice. There is an obvious conflict between these two. The king of the Jews was to be God’s representative, like God, and in the line of David (both spiritually and physically). Herod is the antithesis of God--devaluing life, pagan, murderous, self-centered, and so on. Herod is a Grinch-like character, who seems to be in conflict with everyone around him. (Incidentally, the chief priests and teachers of the Law can represent the Grinch’s dog, Max.) There is another Grinch-like character in this story: sin. Keep this in the back of your mind. So, which one is the real Grinch?

Let’s go back to the story and join the journey of these characters. And, to help us identify the real Grinch we have to look at their motivations. All of these characters were on a journey. They were all seeking for meaning in life, for something outside of themselves to put life in context. They were searching for something more than they had. This desire was motivating them to do what they did. All of the characters were searching for meaning.

This is also a picture of people today. Within people there is a desire for meaning in life. There is a natural (God-given) quest to seek for something of substance outside of ourselves. There is a battle between this God-given drive and the self-centered nature in all of us.

Notice how the characters dealt with this search for meaning and substance in life.

Herod believed the self was to be the focal point of life. Put yourself first--no one else will put you first. Look out for “numero uno.” His attitude was “every man for himself.” All of his drive and seeking was motivated by self-preservation. Don’t you see the same drive in people today? Selfishness motivates people to do all kinds of things. The Grinch’s selfish motivation made him want to steal Christmas.

Chief priests and teachers of the Law believed the Law and Knowledge (Torah) was paramount. Knowledge of the Law was what you were to seek for. Everything centered on knowledge and learning. They debated the fine points of the Law. They formed groups around theological interpretations. They made and broke relationships based on their views of the Law. They didn’t stress the importance of the Law-giver, but emphasized the Law. Today people still make knowledge paramount. They have the errant belief they can figure it out and come up with all the answers. Just listen to all the talk radio and television shows. Read the papers. The hosts and the callers have the answers to all the world’s problems.

The Grinch was also trying to figure it all out. He thought he had, but was confused again. This is normally the way it works.

The magi were searching for meaning in life outside of themselves. They were seeking the One who made life meaningful. Money was not an issue to them. Power was not an issue to them. Position and titles were not issues to them. They were seeking for something that would help them make sense out of what was going on in life. Perhaps you’re one of the ones who fall into this drive. Maybe you’ve tried the self-centered approach and it has left you empty and lonely. Maybe you’ve tried to figure it all out and it has left you cold and full of questions. Now, perhaps, you are seeking for something that would help you make sense out of life.

Notice the results of the actions of these three characters. Herod, the self-absorbed and power-hungry, was led to frustration, failure, and loneliness. The chief priests and teachers of the Law, the “I’ve-got-all-the-answers” people, found cold hard facts but they missed the meaning, they never really got it. The magi--sincere seekers of truth, meaning, and substance in life--discovered what they were looking for.

Notice the actions of the magi. They saw what was going on around them, where they were, the star. Something in life got their attention: the star. Something caused them to question meaning: the star.

What is your star? What is it that has you questioning meaning? What has seized your attention and made you start wondering what’s going on? Has God used a situation in life, a tragedy, a sickness, a financial crisis, a friend, or a book?

The magi started on a journey for truth, meaning, and substance in life. God led them on their journey. God has led you to this place, this morning, on purpose. Not one of us is here by accident.

The magi searched in the wrong place--Jerusalem. It was logical to go to Jerusalem. Jerusalem was the capitol city, so naturally you’d go there to look for a king. However, it was not logical if you knew the whole story. The Messiah was to be born in Bethlehem. The logical thing would have been to go to Bethlehem. We often think we know more than we know. As a result we search where we think we ought to look, but it’s the wrong place.

If we knew the whole story, we’d know to go to Jesus to start with.
God put them back on course. God looks at the sincerity of our hearts and guides us in our search for truth, meaning, and substance in life.

Let’s recap the three options we have for the Grinch character. Herod who was about self-absorption? The chief priests with all the “answers” trying to figure it all out in your own? Or the magi who demonstrated faith in Christ?

The Issue calls for a Response

Where are you going to choose to search for meaning and purpose in life? Self-absorption? Answers: trying to figure it all out in your own mind? Or faith in Christ?

Let’s get back to the Grinch?

Who is the real Grinch? Not Herod; he couldn’t steal Christmas. Not the chief priests and teachers of the Law; they couldn’t steal Christmas. Not sin; it couldn’t steal it (in fact, Christmas happened because of sin).

The real Grinch is our own selves. It is you, it is me. We stole Christmas from ourselves. We gave up: eternal life, our relationship with God, our character and integrity, peace.

When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me." For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death (James 1:13-15).

But, unlike Dr. Seuss’ Grinch--we can’t give it back to ourselves. We need a Savior. We need Jesus!

Conclusion

The magi point us to the right choice: break with the self-absorbed quest and go beyond mere knowledge. They teach us to search for the One who can give life meaning and substance.
You can live the self-absorbed life motivated by selfish ambition and self-preservation.

You can keep trying to figure it all out, gathering information, searching for answers as if you have the mental capability to know it all.

Or, you can worship Jesus. Open your treasures and give yourself to Him. What are you going to do, Mr. Grinch?