Jesus Isn't Decaf (By Naomi Meyers)

The skepticism that pervaded their group of colleagues at their peculiar request was now doing its best to settle into their hearts as well. The journey seemed unending. The scenery rarely changed. The star never stopped moving. Neither did they. But they were tired. The cross-country trek had lasted longer than anticipated. They missed home, family, decent food, decent beds. Doubt was lurking at the edge of their minds. A mental barrage of questions meant to keep them from completing their mission were firing in rapid succession through the silent hours of the trip. 

What if their colleagues were right? What if those words they had marked down to jealousy were words of wisdom instead? What if they had followed their excitement rather than the announcing star? What if the skeptics were right? What if they had embarked on a fool’s errand?

As they exited yet another town that could tell them nothing about the Child they sought, surely, they were tempted to quit wandering, quit seeking, quit following. They knew how to get back to where they had started. They didn’t know how to go forward. The uninviting sea of desert sand between them and the next town had no visible path for travel. They had no way of knowing what dangers lurked along the way. There was no highway patrol. No emergency services. No rest stops with maps to guide their way. There was only a star. Yet still they chose to follow. 

 Greater than an oasis in the desert must have been their relief upon arriving in Jerusalem and finding people who actually had information regarding their quest. Not just any information, either. Critical information. Practically a GPS pin drop. Bethlehem of Judea. The current priests and scribes, quoting a prophet from centuries before, said this is where they should go. They didn’t even unpack their camels. 

Cautiously optimistic, they set out for Bethlehem, carefully following the directions laid out for them in their last meeting with Herod. It had been an odd meeting. Clandestine. Reeking of desperation and something else they couldn’t quite define. Something strange. Rather than sending his own delegation on the short journey, Herod requested they find the Child then come back and tell him where to go so he could meet Him also. Apparently, he was incapable of traveling the six miles necessary for faith to become sight. 

The Magi were not. They were ready to go. What was a few more miles compared to what they had already traveled? And the star was on the move again. They probably had clear directions to Bethlehem. They likely didn’t need the guidance of the star to get there. But they’d been relying on it for so long it was like second nature to keep their eyes glued to that star. Map or no map. Directions or no directions. Well-beaten path or off-road journey. They were following that star. 

It’s a good thing they were. Without it they might not have found the Child for which they sought. Even in a small town, a door to door search would have taken much longer and they might have missed Him. Perhaps He’d have been out in the village with Mary. Maybe they’d have been out for a walk. Maybe He’d have been down for a nap and Mary wouldn’t have wanted to waken Him. The maybe’s simply don’t matter, because they were unswervingly following the finger of God in the form of a star leading them to the place their faith, no matter how battered, beat upon or beleaguered it had become during the trek, could become sight. It’s a good thing they never lost sight of that star! (Matthew 2:1-12)

What if they had? What if halfway through their journey, after another dead-end inquiry, they decided to give up and turn back? What if their desire for the comforts of home and pleasures of their normal lives superseded their need to discover the miracle to which the star was leading? What if, when they talked to Herod and found neither he nor the local priests and scribes felt it imperative to make the short journey at the possibility of meeting the Christ Child, they had rendered it unimportant and stopped short? What would they have missed if they had, even for a moment, stopped following the leading star of God?

My heart rejoices that they didn’t stop. Those men, wise in the eyes of their colleagues, wandered for miles, wondering where that star was taking them. If they were wrong, their credibility would be shattered. Their work viewed with a jaundiced eye. Their future employment jeopardized. By all human standards, it was an incredible risk requiring enormous faith. 

Following God often is. Ask all those men to whom Jesus simply said, “Come. Follow me.” He didn’t try to sell the journey by outlining unfathomable miracles of healing and cleansing and wine-making. He didn’t warn them of perilous times of narrow escapes and unrighteous judgment. He didn’t give them a list of options and the results of their choices. He simply called them to follow. And they did. Without question. Without directions. Without distraction. (Luke 5:10, 27-28; Mark 1:17-18; Matthew 4:19-22; John 1:43)

So must we. At a time when everything seems uncertain, when expressing our faith is frowned upon, when being a true follower of Jesus Christ is uncommon and unaccepted, Jesus speaks to us the same words He spoke to the men who would become His disciples, “Come. Follow me.” Like the wise men who were called through God’s star and the disciples who were called by Jesus Himself, you, too, are being called to follow Jesus. The choice is yours. Will you follow Him regardless of the uncertainty? Will you keep following when you can’t see the next step? Will you trust His heart even when you can’t see His complete plan? Will you allow Him to fill your heart with the wonder of His presence and let your enamored soul wander wherever He leads you? (Luke 9: 57-62; Matthew 10:38; Mark 8:34; John 12:26)

There are about two feet of pristine, glistening snow covering our front pasture. It looks like a lovely, even blanket spread before our house. Not everything is as it seems. If you were to trudge out across that field you would soon recognize that fact. As you approached the middle, the snow would deepen and become even more troublesome to traverse. Why? Because it dips there. You can’t see. Have no way of knowing it is there, no way of preparing for the snow that will most certainly fall down inside even the tallest boots. You can’t prepare for it unless you talk to us first. We know it’s there. We can tell you everything you need to know. 

It is the same with God. He knows every bump in the road, every turn, every dead end. He isn’t stymied by them. He has a way around, over, under, through. But you can only know that path if you are following Him, seeking Him, trusting His hand. When people seem skeptical of your calling, when the comforts of the world beckon you back, when the offers of fame and fortune, prestige and power attempt to turn your head, I hope you keep your eyes on Jesus. I hope you keep following Him. I hope you never turn back. I hope, as you walk into the blank pages of this new year, you confidently put your hand in His, settle your eyes on Him, and wisely wander wherever He leads. (Psalm 37:23; Matthew 6:33; Luke 9:23-25; Ephesians 5:1; Matthew 16:24-25)