Wisdom Has Sought Us

"1Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, 2Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him." (Matthew 2: 1-2)

I once read a coffee mug, with the message: "Wise men still seek Him."

At first profound, this message actually misses the greater point of God's love for us.

God loved us first, when we were not even paying attention to Him:

"But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." (Romans 5: 8)

In fact, today Jesus is our Wisdom:

"But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:" (1 Corinthians 1: 30)

Notice that Paul refers to Him as "Christ Jesus", recognizing His resurrected, forever glorified status at the right hand of God the Father.

Today, we are not seeking Jesus, but rather receiving Him:

"For if by one man's offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ." (Romans 5:17)

and then

"Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ." (Romans 10:17, NIV)

and finally

"For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost." (Romans 14: 17)

The first Christians did not seek the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit rushed onto them. Hear what Jesus said before He ascended:

"And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high." (Luke 24: 49)

Then

"And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting." (Acts 2: 2)

Consider the parable of the Good Shepherd:

"4What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it? 5And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing. 6And when he cometh home, he calleth together his friends and neighbours, saying unto them, Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost." (Luke 15:4-6)

The sheep did not seek the Shepherd. The Good Shepherd, Jesus, sought the sheep, who merely consented to be carried.

Today, we are not seeking God, nor are we seeking Jesus, but rather we allow Him to take us up, to live in us, and to lead us:

"For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure." (Philippians 2: 13)

and

"20I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. 21I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain." (Galatians 2: 20-21)

Today, we are wise because of Jesus, and we do not seek Him. He has sought us and lives in us (Colossians 3: 1-4)