When They Saw the Star  

“When they saw the star, they were overjoyed beyond measure.”—Matthew 2:10 (HCSB)

By Danny Saavedra  

Sometimes, we receive guidance and direction from unique sources. Some people have seen their lives change from a random conversation on a bus. Others have been impacted by a bus ad or television commercial. There are even people who are guided to make a huge, life-changing decision based on a little paper inside of a cookie! The point I’m trying to make is that guidance can come from unconventional places.

This is the case in Matthew 2—which was foretold in Numbers 24:17—as the Lord used a glorious and radiantly bright star to guide the wise men to the feet of Jesus. Regarding the unique nature of this star, theologian Albert Barnes wrote, “From this it appears that the star was a luminous meteor, perhaps at no great distance from the ground. It is not unlikely that they lost sight of it after they had commenced their journey from the East. It is probable that it appeared to them first in the direction of Jerusalem. They concluded that the expected King had been born, and immediately commenced their journey to Jerusalem. When they arrived there, it was important that they should be directed to the very place where he was, and the star again appeared. It was for this reason that they rejoiced. They felt assured that they were under a heavenly guidance, and would be conducted to the new-born King of the Jews.”

God used the prophets and a supernatural phenomenon to guide these men who were always seeking, always searching, and He led them to the Savior, the promised King born in Bethlehem.
 

To me, that’s the great lesson here, that the Lord can use whatever He chooses to get our attention and draw us to His Son. When the Pharisees chastise Jesus for allowing His followers to say, “Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord" (Luke 19:38 NIV), Jesus responds by saying, “If these become silent, the stones will cry out" (Luke 19:40 NASB)! 

For the men from the East, it was a star. God can use a star, a stone, a book, an ad, nature, or you and me! If you think about it, He probably used someone to help guide you to Jesus, and He wants to guide others to Jesus through you. 

Here’s the thing, though: In order for God to use us to guide people to His Son, we need to reflect the radiance and glory of Jesus. We need to live “in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ” (Philippians 1:27 NIV). When we do this—when we seek Christ Jesus, when we follow His example, when we abide in Him—Paul says we will “shine among them like stars in the sky as you hold firmly to the word of life” (Philippians 2:15–16 NIV). 

Fellow Christ-followers, this is our great calling in life. This is our mission, our purpose . . . It’s why God has placed you in your current job; it’s why you’re enrolled in the school you attend; it’s why you live in your neighborhood; it’s why you are a member of the family you were born into. If you’ve ever had aspirations of being a big star, this is your chance! Be a star for Christ, one that leads people to worship Jesus.

If you’ve never done this, Christmas is the perfect season to start! Invite a friend to church, do an outreach in your neighborhood, or invite a relative or coworker over for Christmas and show them what this wonderful celebration is all about. Start shining today!