(Matthew 2:1-11.)

When the magi journeyed from the East seeking Him who was "born King of the Jews," they were guided by a star. To them it was an extraordinary star, for it was "His star." They first saw it in the East. Then after their visit with Herod the king, in Jerusalem, it appeared again and "went before them, till it came and stood over where the Young Child was." And we read that "when they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy," Why? Merely because they had found the star again? Nay, their hearts were set on the King, and nothing less than Himself could satisfy their longing souls. They had "come to worship Him." Not all the stars in the universe could satisfy men with such an object. Like the Greeks of a later day, they "would see Jesus."

What an example for us! We are so apt to admire the gift and ignore the Giver. The minister of Christ may, like John the Baptist, be "a burning and a shining light;" and we may, for a season, rejoice in his light. But we must not stop there. The "star" has not fulfilled its mission until it has led us to where we may see Him.

Then note the effect. They "worshiped Him:and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto Him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh." Notice the order here. First worship; then giving. This is the divine order and it cannot be improved upon.* *Cf. Hebrews 13:15,16.* All the begging, pleading, and urging one may do can never move a soul like a sight of the Lord Himself.
Therefore let us exercise earnestly the privilege of pointing souls, both saved and unsaved, to Himself; shining brightly, like "His Star," wherever He may put us in this sin-darkened world. Some, like the magi, will catch the gleam, and ours will be the joy of seeing Him increase while we decrease till "Christ is all, and in all." Carl Armerding