Made to Shine

Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem, saying, "Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him." (Matthew 2:1-2 ESV)
 
This part of the nativity story has struck me in the last few years.  I cannot wrap my head around the idea of someone taking off on an epic journey to follow a star; a journey to find a baby that was promised in sacred writings. The wise men came from a great distance to worship a baby; a baby who was a king; a baby who would be the Light of the World.
 
In our American tradition, we call them wise men. In Spain, these men are called los reyes (the kings). If you look in the original Greek, you will find that they are called μάγοι (magoi) or magi which could be a sorcerer, wizard, magician or astrologer.  Being magi, they were not following Jewish law which strictly prohibited these types activities. That leads me to think that they were not of the Jewish faith or cultural background and were probably not worshippers of the one true God.  What really fascinates me about this story is that these men followed a star, a shining object in the sky, to the source of freedom for the entire human race - not just for the Jews, but for everyone.  They could see what others in Jesus’ own culture could not.  They saw something that stood out from the ordinary.  It was different and gave them hope of things to come.  A star, a light in the sky, directed them, even though they were “non-believers”, to the place where they felt they would find something special, a king worthy of worship.
 
Think about that… this star, this light, was shining and was attracting people of all races and religions to come and see.
 
That reminds me of another story. I have a friend that is a relatively new believer.  Umar* was raised in the Muslim faith.  One day he was in his room and he saw a vision of a light so bright it was indescribable. It didn’t hurt his eyes to look at it. In that moment, somehow he knew that the light was Jesus (he had heard about Jesus in the Quran) and he sought to find out more about Him.  Umar* was attracted to something that was different, something he didn’t understand, but he knew that he needed to learn more and to understand who Jesus really is.  He continues to walk in that Light today, learning and growing in his new faith.
 
Last week, I was reading an article about Mr. Rogers in the New York Times online. It recounts a story Fred Rogers told to a gathering a few years ago: 
“I know of a little girl who was drawing with crayons in school. 
The teacher asked her about her drawing, and the little girl said, ‘I am making a picture of God.’
The teacher said, ‘But no one knows what God looks like.’
The little girl smiled and answered, ‘They will now.’” 
 
I found myself weeping after reading that story in the article. I was thinking about the star and the light again. I think that our lives are meant to be like that little girl’s drawing of God, helping people to catch a glimpse of what He looks like. Our lives are meant to be like that star, something different shining in the darkness. It makes me wonder if I am shining a light to point others to Jesus. Do they see something different in me?  Do others see the way to Jesus when they see me?  If they look at me, can they see God’s light shining through? 
 
Jesus said: "You are the light of the world. …let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven” (Matthew 5:14-16 ESV). 
I think that we are to be light - like stars - for others.  We were made to shine, to glorify God and to point others to Jesus. 
~Billy
 
 

Sarah with Benedict. Benedict is a twin. He and his sister were born here in Spain after their mother journeyed here and sought asylum. We have the joy of helping raise and care for these precious little ones in La Mesa Turquesa.