Matthew 2:1-3

After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, "Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him."

Let me just set up this whole scenario so we can get a better picture of it…

The birth of Christ has happened. We’ve talked about that. We’ve heard the story over and over. We even know this part of the story. The “three kings” part of the story, as it is often called. However, a little truth be told that none of these men are kings. I don’t know where that comes from. But these men aren’t kings. Actually if you do a study over the word “magi” you will find that it is more closely related to the word “magician” and is actually where we get our word “magic” today. Here is a little more truth for you now…the word “magi” meant almost the same thing back then. Magi, from the Greek word pronounced “magoi”, originated as a religious class from Babylon or Persia. They were wealthy, highly educated in the knowledge of their time, and well regarded. Magi were men of astrology and other forms of divination. They mapped the stars and were known for interpreting dreams and such. Now if you remember your Bible history then you know that Israel was taken captive by the Persian Empire. So it’s no surprise to me that we see Magi having some knowledge about the Jewish Savior.

But here is the thing that struck a chord with me…Verse 4 thru 6…this is what the Lord spoke to me…

Matthew 2:4-6

When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him. When he had called together all the people's chief priests and teachers of the law, he asked them where the Christ was to be born. "In Bethlehem in Judea," they replied, "for this is what the prophet has written: " 'But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for out of you will come a ruler who will be the shepherd of my people Israel.’ "

How come the chief priest and teachers of the law didn’t see or have an understanding that Christ was entering into the world? How do you miss that? If you are a priest, teacher, pastor, or preacher how do you miss the fact that the “Messiah” has come into the world? This is the One you preach about. This is the One you teach about. This is the One that you model your life after. This is the One that you have spent the greater part of your life memorizing every detail of His Word. Listen…they knew where he was going to be born…but they didn’t realize that the hour had come.

So this is what the Lord spoke to me this week…

“Where are my watchmen today?”

The chief priest and teachers in the day of Herod were the foremost experts on God. They knew where the child was to be born. They knew all of the details and prophecies that must happen to bring this event into reality…yet they never saw it coming and completely missed its arrival. This breaks my heart, because in all of our intellectualism and fancy technology we are no closer to God than 2000 years ago.

This is my heart. This is the reason I entered into ministry so late…because God gave me a vision that His watchmen are sleeping…and listen…they are doing a lot more than sleeping…but we won’t go into that…

Who will warn God’s people? Where are God’s men and women? Where are this generations David Wilkerson’s? Where are this generations Blanche Brittan who in the 1950’s, she planted over 40 churches? Where are God’s watchmen? Where are the men and women of God that are more concerned with God than their own life?

Ezekiel 3:17 & 33:7

"Son of man, I have made you a watchman for the house of Israel; so hear the word I speak and give them warning from me."

Where are the warnings today? How come we don’t hear them? Where are the voices of the Lord? Are we so entertained that we are missing out on what God wants for our lives? It’s quite possible. Where is our passion, where is our fire?

Isaiah 21:8

And the lookout shouted, "Day after day, my lord, I stand on the watchtower; every night I stay at my post."

Who will be found standing when the Lord returns? Who will notice? I guess what my overall fear is when I read the scriptures found in Matthew is…I don’t want to be guilty of memorizing knowledge without the wisdom to allow it to manifest in my life. I don’t want to be able to give you an answer on where Christ is to be born without also recognizing the fact that the single greatest moment in history is about to take place. God’s watchmen must stand watch. They must see not only the approaching of the enemy but also of the Lord. “Every night I stay at my post”, it says…

Every night I am watching. Every night I am listening intently. Every night I am keeping guard. We are to be waiting upon the Lord…

And here is God’s warning to those who are watchmen…

Ezekiel 33:6

But if the watchman sees the sword coming and does not blow the trumpet to warn the people and the sword comes and takes the life of one of them, that man will be taken away because of his sin, but I will hold the watchman accountable for his blood.'

This is a stern approach for the man or woman of God to be at their best. This is not a game. God is coming back in all His glory and who will even notice His arrival? Where are the hearts that burn for God’s arrival? Where are the hearts that burn for revival?

Look back with me to Matthew…

Matthew 2:7-8

Then Herod called the Magi secretly and found out from them the exact time the star had appeared. He sent them to Bethlehem and said, "Go and make a careful search for the child. As soon as you find him, report to me, so that I too may go and worship him."

Herod, bitter and fearing that others might rise up and revolt, sought to kill the child Jesus. He even acts as if he wants to see the child and acknowledge his kingship. However, the Magi are also called the “wise men” and aren’t fooled by such childish trickery…

Can I point out the obvious?

Maybe the reason the chief priest and teachers missed the sign of Christ birth is because they were in the pockets of evil men? This isn’t the first time… In 1 Kings Chapter 22 we see the story of a lone prophet of the Lord that stands up to 400 prophets of the Lord.

I know this isn’t pretty…but this is ministry. If you’re surprised…so am I…and yet today we are still dealing with priest and prophets that are teaching and prophesying according to what pay’s the best. It’s ugly and it’s true.

Allow me to leave you with this quote from the late Leonard Ravenhill, “The salt of the earth that is saving America at this hour is the Church. Believers, this is your hour. Believers, arise. Believers, begin now to watch, to weep, to work, and to war."