“They turned again by another way into their [own] country.” – Matthew 2:12

    Most religious leader believed in a literal fulfillment of all Old Testament prophecy. They believed the Messiah would be born in Bethlehem as foreseen by the prophet Micah (Micah 5:2) seven centuries earlier.  Ironically when Jesus was born these same religious leaders became his greatest enemies (Herod and his counselors). When the Messiah for whom they had been waiting finally came, they didn’t recognize him.

    Herod did not want to worship Christ – he was lying. This was a trick to get the Magi to return to him and reveal the whereabouts of the new born king. Herod’s plan was to kill Jesus.

    The Magi’s news troubled Herod because he knew that the Jewish people expected the Messiah to come soon (Luke 3:15). Most Jews expected the Messiah to be a great military and political deliverer like Alexander the Great.

    The wise men gave expensive gifts as worthy acknowledgement for a future king. The gifts are the symbols of Christ’s identity and what he would accomplish.

    Gold – Gift for his royalty – Royal King – In the lineage of David. Matthew wrote for Jews that Jesus as King.

    Incense – Prayers – Gift for his deity – Placed in the tent of meeting. It shall be most holy to you. Exodus – 30:34-36 – Revelation 5:8.

    Myrrh – A spice for a person who was going to die. Myrrh is used in preparing incense.

    Solomon is perfumed with incense and myrrh.

    The wise men brought gifts and worshiped Jesus for who he was. This is the essence of true worship – honoring Christ for whose he is and being willing to give him what is valuable to us. Worship God because he is the perfect, just and almighty creator of the universe, worthy of the best you have to give.

    After finding Jesus and worshiping him, the wise men were warned by God not to return through Jerusalem as they intended. Finding Jesus may mean that your life must take a different direction, one that is responsive and obedient to God’s word.

In what ways has Jesus affected the direction of your life?

    God used all kinds of people to bring his Son into the world. He uses all kinds today to accomplish his will. God’s plan continues to unfold.

1. God has a new way for us

        “And know by which way ye shall enter, for ye have not gone before by it; and be ye ware, that ye nigh not to the ark.” – Joshua 3:4

        Tomorrow Lord will do amazing things to you. (God’s promise)

        Before entering into the Promised Land Joshua made people to listen to the Word of God. Before making schedule, all plans – take time to focus on what God wants from all your activities. We can avoid mistakes.

2. God has prepared everything for us

       “Lo! I send mine angel, that shall go before thee, and shall keep thee in the way, and shall lead thee to the place which I have made ready to thee.” – Exodus 23:20.

        The power of God is made known in this angel.

        Isaiah 42:16 says about the unknown and unfamiliar way.

3. God leads in an unknown way

        I will bring the blind by a way that they knew not, I will lead them in paths that they have not known – the unfamiliar paths.

        We are blind without knowing the ways of God.

        If it is dark – God will turn it into light and make the rough places smooth.

4. We all have our own way

        “Therefore Saul said to David, Blessed be thou, my son David; and soothly thou doing shalt do, and thou mighty shalt be mighty. Then David went forth into his way, and Saul turned again into his place” – 1 Samuel 26:25

        As for God his way is perfect says Psalm 18:30.

5. Perfect ways of God

        “Blessed be all men, that dread the Lord; that go in his ways.” – Psalm 128:1

        We are blessed in, blessed ways.

6. Everlasting ways

        “Lead thou me forth in everlasting way.” – Psalm 139:24

7. “Lo! I make new things, and now those shall begin to be made; soothly ye shall know them. I shall set way in desert, and floods in a land without way.” – Isaiah 43:19

        There is a way in the wilderness.

8. “For why my thoughts be not your thoughts, and my ways be not your ways, saith the Lord. For as heavens be raised from earth, so my ways be raised from your ways, and my thoughts from your thoughts.” – Isaiah 55:8-9

        God has high ways for us.

God`s Promise

    “The Lord shall give thine enemies to fall in thy sight, that shall rise against thee; by one way they shall come against thee, and by seven ways they shall flee from thy face.” – Deuteronomy 28:7

    “For if thou hearest his voice, and doest all things which I speak, I shall be enemy to thine enemies, and I shall torment them, that torment thee;” – Exodus 23:22

    In Ephesians, the Church is considered as the Body of Christ – the nature and purpose of Church.

    We all God’s workmanship created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

    Ephesians 4:22-24 says that, You were thought with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires, to be made new in the attitude of your minds and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.

1. Put off false hood
2. Do not sin
3. Do not get angry
4. Do not get devil a foothold.
5. Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths.