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SEEKING THE LIGHT

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Has it ever struck you how odd it is that astrologers are the ones who seek out and recognize the infant Jesus as the King? I share the belief with the people of the Bible that it is not the stars and the moon that control our lives, but that there is only one God who is in charge of everything.

Nevertheless, these seekers for the light go to enormous pains to find and to pay homage to Jesus. I am sure they weren't welcomed by the church leaders, and Herod only wanted to use whatever they discovered for his political purpose - to kill off any opposition! So here they are in our Bible, honoured because they sought out and welcomed Jesus.

We have many who search for the light today, who do not go by the name of Christian. Some are believers in the one God, like Jews and Muslims; others in many gods, such as Hindus and Buddhists, and many are secular or not-quite-sure but still are seeking light for their life and for our one world.

I welcome the fact that we want to talk with all such people today, and to honour their seeking, even as the Magi were honoured by Matthew and the early church. Luke writes of Jesus being welcomed by a ritually unclean group who were looked down on by just about everyone - just the sort of people whom Jesus sought out later on.

Welcoming such seekers and working with them does not change my personal conviction that the one born in the stable at Bethlehem is in fact the rightful ruler of all, and one day he will be revealed as Lord. I am happy to share that conviction with others and I am sure I will be equally surprised by those who recognize in Jesus the light that will shine on their way and their world. I will also go on enjoying the company of other seekers who have not yet come to that conviction.

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Rev Dr Robert Johnson
Christmas 2 & Epiphany 2009 - Sunday 4th January