Beauty Of Berea!

Dr. Mike Murphy

February 5, 2023

The views from the city were simply breathtaking..  The Vermion Mountains that surrounded much of the small town.  And the running streams that flowed out of these mountains, pouring into the small city.  As Paul looked around him, he could not but help to be in awe of the beauty of God’s handy work.  But as in awe that Paul was of the views, he was even more so of the people that filled the streets of this small town.  People who reflected an even greater beauty in the handy work of the Lord above.

The Bible describes Berea as a place like few others.  In six verses, Luke paints for us an incredible picture of the people that made up this small town.  We are shown their character, their intelligence, what drives them, and what they most desires.  Luke tells us in Acts 17:10-15, “The brethren immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night to Berea, and when they arrived, they went into the synagogue of the Jews.  Now these were more noble-minded than those in Thessalonica, for they received the word with great eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see whether these things were so.  Therefore many of them believed, along with a number of prominent Greek women and men.  But when the Jews of Thessalonica found out that the word of God had been proclaimed by Paul in Berea also, they came there as well, agitating and stirring up the crowds. Then immediately the brethren sent Paul out to go as far as the sea; and Silas and Timothy remained there.  Now those who escorted Paul brought him as far as Athens; and receiving a command for Silas and Timothy to come to him as soon as possible, they left.”

In these verses we see what Luke saw in the people of Berea. The example that was seen in these people of God, the example that was recorded in God’s Word for all of us to follow today.  In these verses we see six characteristics that every church in this nation should strive for.  Six traits that should be found inside the walls of every church today.

Eagerness to receive the Word

  Luke tells us that the people of Berea received the Word of God with great eagerness. The Greek language describes the receiving of this with eagerness as an act of great zeal, to do so with acceptance and a welcoming nature, to find a place for it in our heart..  As Christians, we are called to approach the Word with an open heart, willing to find a place in our heart for God’s Truth.  We are to seek an understanding of what the Scripture says, and turn to the Holy Spirit to show us the truth in that understanding.  1 John 2:20 tells us that we have an anointing from the Holy Spirit.  The Greek translation of this verse says we have a “special endowment” from the Holy Spirit,  In other words, when we honestly seek God’s Word, the Holy Spirit will lead us to the truth in that Word.  

These verses tells us that the Bereans did not turn Paul and Silas away, but received them with an eagerness to understand and know the truth in the Word. We must approach the Word of God with the same eagerness today.  As we fill our church each Sunday, we should expect the Word to be preached.  As we hear this message, in each of us should be found a hunger to understand and know the truth in that message.  We should open our hearts to make room for that Word, and allow that Word to mold and shape each of us. When we are true to God, that “special endowment” will them take that Word, and put it into practice in each of us.

Examine the Scriptures for God’s Truth  

When the people of Berea heard Paul and Silas speak, they were excited by what they heard.  But they did not let this excitement drive them, they let God stay in the driver’s seat! When they heard the Good News of Christ, the first thing they did was turn to the Scriptures. They went back to the Old Testament to make sure that what they were hearing was confirmed and fulfilled in God’s Word.  And look at the results!  Many within the synagogue came to accept Christ, and from this truth the Word quickly spread.  We are told that others, Gentiles in the city, were led to Christ also.

As Christians, we must always find ourselves as students of the Word.  We must always seek the truth, and we must know that the truth can only be found in God’s Word and Word of God alone.  Isaiah 8:20 tells us, “ To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.”   And Christ told us, “You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; it is these that testify about Me.”(John 5:39).  We are commanded to search the Scriptures!  We are to subject all that is taught to us against the authority of the Word.  There is not a preacher worth his salt, that does not welcome this subjectivity and questioning.  It brings a smile to most of their faces, because they know that the words they spoke led someone to turn to God’s Word.  

God does not call us to a blind faith, but to a rational one.  Our faith can withstand any test this world may throw at it.  It can hold up to any intellectual scrutiny, and will always shine bright no matter what question is thrown its’ way. God wants us to never forget, an unexamined faith is not worth anyone’s time or their devotion.  Truth is never afraid to be examined!

Christians must have a discerning heart

Just as the Bereans searched the Scriptures to find the truth, we today must search those same Scriptures to make sure we are not being deceived.  We watch today as people proclaim many things in the name of God.  Our televisions and or computers are filled with evangelist claiming to speak and explain the Word of God.  So how do we know who is speaking the truth, and who is just looking to make a fast buck at God’s expense?  The same way the Bereans knew to trust the preaching of Paul and Silas!

1 John 4:1 tells us, “Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.”   This is why the example the Bereans set is so important for us to follow today.  The world is filled with those who will come to deceive us, and they are lead by the master of all deceivers(1 John 4:1). Satan has deceivers among us today, those who teach another Gospel, and who preach about another Christ.  The example of the Bereans grounds us, it teaches us to trust what God has written, not what man has proclaimed.

God’s Word is our Daily Bread

“Man shall not live by bread alone; but man lives by every word that proceeds from the mouth of the Lord.”(Deuteronomy 8:3, Matthew 4:4).  Before the Bereans even knew Christ, they knew the power of these words as Moses spoke them.  Luke’s words tell us that the Bereans examined the Scriptures daily, that they spent time in God’s Word each day, When we spend time with God each day, our relationship with Him grows.  Just like any relationship, when we spend time with someone we understand them better.  We know their likes and dislikes, we learn their tendencies, and we notice and appreciate all the things they do for us.  The same is with God!

Psalm 119:11, tells us, “Your word I have treasured in my heart, that I may not sin against You.”  The closer our relationship to God, the greater distance sin finds itself from our lives.  The more time we spend with God, the more His Words fill our mind and our thoughts.  And as each word of Scripture enters our mind, the more His truth becomes our truth.

God’s Way must be is our way

Luke’s words tell us, “Therefore many of them believed, along with a number of prominent Greek women and men.“  When the truth of Christ and the fulfillment of God’s Word was presented to the Bereans, they not only clung to it, but proclaimed it!  His Word did not stop at their hearts, but filled their thoughts and their voices.

Today we often forget, God’s Word is not passive, it is alive.  When we accept Christ, we do not find ourselves at the culmination of our calling, but at the beginning of it.  Before He ascended into Heaven, Christ gave us a command that we were all to follow.  “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”(Matthew 28:19-20).  We know these words as the Great Commission.  When we look closely at the words of this command that Christ gave us, we see words that are far from being passive.  “Go”, “make”, “baptize”, and “teach”, are all words that call us into action.  We are to be disciples and witnesses for Christ, fulfilling the Great Commission to all the world today.  

The Church must stand strong on the Word of God

We are told that enemies of Paul came to the town of Berea, trying to stir up trouble.  As this happened, we see the Berean church rise to the occasion, defending Paul and providing for his safety.  We are also told that Timothy and Silas continued to stay in Berea for awhile longer, so they would have continued to defend these men also.  We are also told that the men that stirred up this trouble came from the synagogue in Thessalonica. Since Paul and those with him came to Berea from that city, these troublemakers would have been very aware of what was being preached.  It is not a reach to believe that the church of Berea was more than capable to stand up to these men, and defend what they believed.  Had they not, the church would have been shut down from the start. But from the words of Luke, we know this did not happen.  The church of Berea continued, as we are told that a man from this church named Sopater, likely a Gentile Christian, accompanied Paul on his mission(Acts 20:3-4).  The church of Berea continued to grow in their faith, able to produce men who could be sent out to spread the message of the Good News.

Like the Bereans, we are called to give more than a welcoming presentation of the Good News, we are also called to be able to give a strong defense of our faith.  We should not only be able to answer why we believe(1 Peter 3:15),  but be willing and able to tell others why they should also believe.  A verse of the Bible we all know, gives us the perfect example of this. “Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.”(John 14:6).  We must be able to show others not only why Christ is the way, but why He is the only way.  Why no other religion that man has created can meet the standard that Christ set.  In this all inclusive, interfaith world that surrounds us today, we find ourselves in tremendous need of believers who will rise to the occasion. Those who are willing to stand up, and tell all who will hear that every road does not lead to Heaven.  Those who are informed, able to tell a deceived world that all “gods” are not God.

Like the Bereans, the Church today needs to be willing to step out on that ledge for Christ and stare danger in the face.  We must become the willing example of a witness that the Bereans showed us.  Most today do not understand what being a witness for Christ truly means. The term witness, comes from three Greek words of the same origin.  “Martyreo”, meaning “to bear witness or testify”. “Martyria”, meaning “for the record”.  And “Martys”, meaning “the person bearing witness”.  We find these words used one hundred and fifty times in the New Testament. All three forms of the word are used when describing Christ, and those who have and will accept Christ as their Savior.  The last form of the word is where we get our word today “martyr”.  Now I am not saying that a witness is a calling for us to run off and give our life, but what I am saying is that we should be willing to give all for Christ.  As a witness of Christ, we should testify to the difference that He alone has made in our life.  We should be willing to put this testimony on the record, for all to see and hear. And we should be willing to be accounted for, quick to stand up for Christ, each of us bearing witness and defending our faith.  Like the Bereans, this task may not always be easy.  Risk and ridicule may come our way.  But with the Truth on our side, the rewards will always be great.  The Church today must be willing to join the Bereans on that ledge, with a Cross in one hand, and God’s Word in the other!

Berea, an ancient city filled with such grace and beauty. When we look at Luke’s words, we soon begin to see Berea as Paul must have seen Berea.  The beauty of Berea did not lie in the landscape that surrounded it, but the true beauty of Berea was found in the hearts of those that made up that early church!

In each of you may the beauty of Berea be found!

The Dinner Guest

Dr. Mike Murphy
January 22, 2023

There are no coincidences when it comes to God!  When you begin to see things come together, know they are doing so with a purpose that He has in mind.  A purpose that should cause each of us to take pause, be quiet, and listen to exactly what He is telling us. To hear His voice, to take the time to seek why He needs our attention.  I had one of those moments this week, and the events that led to it came about in a way that could only come from the Lord.  

I was reminded this week of a movie I have watched many times.  A movie that most do not know and have never seen, but a movie that will touch the life of anyone who takes the time to watch it.  The Perfect Stranger is a movie unlike any other.  The story of a wife, mother, and attorney, whose life and routine is on the verge of spinning out of control.  As she arrives at her office, she finds an invitation on her desk.  An invitation to dine at her favorite restaurant.  An invitation that she sees as a joke, as the invitation is from Jesus Christ.  Thinking this as a prank by her husband, she decides to go to the dinner.  And what ensues, forever changes her life.

Within minutes of watching this, I saw where a survey had been taken. The questionnaire had inquired of all who would listen , “If you could ask God one question, what would you ask?”.  Most of the questions were those we have all heard time and time again. What is my purpose on this earth?  Is there really a Heaven and a Hell?  Why is there suffering and evil?  Are all religions the same?  How can we know that You are real?

When we look closely at the questions, we realize that most are not asked in search of an answers, but are seeking affirmation.  Most are not looking to know the Truth from God, but to make the Lord fit their own version of the truth. To each of these questions, God has already given us the answer.  The problem is, many do not like the answer the Lord has given, or simply do not desire to study and read His Word for the answers,  They find it easier to make the Lord fit their questions, not to make their lives fit God’s answers.

Looking again at these questions, we soon realize that to know the answer to two of them, we have the answer to all of them.  How can we know that You are real?  It does not take two seconds of looking in any direction to see the hand of the Creator at work. To know there is a God, we simply need no further proof that to look at all the Lord has made.  The world around us shouts of His intelligence, the purpose and plan that comes from His hands(Psalms 19:1).

If someone was to lay all the parts of a car on the ground, what would it take for all those parts to be put together and made into a working automobile? No amount of time or chance could ever bring those parts together on their own. It would take someone with the necessary intelligence to know how the parts work, and how the parts could best fit together. If this much intelligence is necessary to put the parts of a car together, than how much intelligence is necessary to put all the parts of this world, and this universe together? It could only be done by One with an intelligence far greater than any we will ever know!

Not only do we see His handwork when we look at this world, we see it in the eyes of those around us.  In each of us, God has created a sense of eternity(Ecclesiastes 3:11).  In each of us is a sense that there is more to this life than just what we see.  We see a greater purpose and a greater calling, that this life holds more than just living and dying. Each time we read His Word, that sense comes to life.  We see it play out in every story, prophecy, and promise the Scripture gives us.  And we watch as that sense took form as the Lord came to this earth, and gave His life so that each of us could be a part of His eternal purpose and plan.  All the proof we ever need of God can be seen in the world around us, and can be found within each of us.

The other of these questions also have just as obvious an answer.  Are all religions the same?  The history books are filled with page after page of man’s attempt to make numerous “gods” into the One True God.  But those same history books also show us that only the Lord God could ever fill that role.  And He has chosen only one way to bring that role into our lives, through His Son, Jesus Christ.  Of all the infinite proof I could give you of God, one word separates the Lord God from all other gods.  One simple word, love!  

No other religion can define the love that God has for each of us.  A love that knows no boundaries, and a love that is individual and personal within each of our lives.  Only through the teachings of Christ, do we see, feel and experience a personal God.  Through no other way can man know that love.  We cannot know it through the many New Age and Eastern based religions.  And in the Quran, the word “love” does not even appear.  It teaches of a god you can never fully know, and one who is distant from you at all times.  A god of rituals, not a God of love. Only One God did not just create you, but desires to have a personal relationship with you.  And created a way so you may have that relationship with Him.  Love is the ultimate proof of God, and the ultimate proof that only through Christ, can we know the One True God!  It is only through His love for us, that our questions can be turned into answers.  That our doubts can be turned into prayer.  And our inquiries can be turned into conversations with Him!

After seeing the movie again, and reading the questions of the survey, the purpose behind the “coincidence” of the Lord showing me both became crystal clear!  I did not need a dinner with the Lord to ask Him the questions of my heart. For the last twenty-two years of my life, I realized I had dined with the Lord many times.  I had shared more meals with Him than I could begin to count.  And I had not shared with Him just meals, but all the moments of my life.  In my lowest moments, He was there to lift me up.  To pick me up, dust me off, wipe away my tears, and lead my back on my way.  And during my greatest moments, He was also there.  To share with me in my joys, to relish with me in my laughs, and to keep me humble in each of those moments.  Every moment of my life, He has been there!

As many may know, I have stage four cancer.  And as I face what the days ahead of me hold, this “coincidence” served to remind me that I would not face a single moment of these days alone.  No matter what I may face, no matter how this body may fail me, I know that I will never eat another meal alone.  I know that as I sit at the table, there is One already waiting there for me.  One who has answered all my questions, and One who explained away all my doubts.  One who loves me more than I am ever capable of loving myself. One who defines loves.

As you sit at the table today, twirling your spaghetti, or savoring that last bite of your burger, enjoy the company of the One who shares that meal with you.  Let every word hold you captive, and cherish every moment you sit at the table.  Let His Word speak to you, and do not let a single question you may have go unanswered.  And with each meal, I pray that you will always leave an open plate at every table you find yourself at. There is a very special Dinner Guest, who would love nothing more than to share a meal with each of you!

“You will show me the way of life, granting me the joy of your presence and the pleasures of living with you forever.” Psalm. 16:11

Waiting On The Real Superman

Dr. Mike Murphy

January 8, 2023

Much of my childhood was spent saving the world!  Almost daily I had on some form of a cape pretending to patrol Gotham City or flying over Metropolis.  Like so many other boys my age, I would always manage to swoop down just in time to save the city and all of its’ terrified citizens, who were fleeing one of the many evil villains.

How else could we have possibly dreamed of filling our playtime each day?  We watched the cartoon Super Friends every Saturday morning.  Every weekday evening, like clockwork, we were glued to the television screen.  We watched as Batman battled the Penguin, the Riddler, Catwoman, and more for the heart of Gotham City.  Everyday, same bat time, same bat channel!  Then it was time for Superman. And for the next thirty minutes we would hear the call, “Superman will soon save us!”  We watched as evil would siege the streets.  The people frozen, helplessly in panic.  Then Clark Kent would emerge from the familiar phone booth, just in time to save the world.

As an adult, I look back and wonder about those people of Metropolis. They often knew evil was coming, but did little to prepare for it.  You never heard them warn others of what dangers would soon be coming.  Then they stood in the streets almost icebound as the evil approached.  But through the screams of hysteria and terror, you always heard the proverbial words,. “Superman will soon save us”!

As we grew up and put our childhood dreams of play aside, we soon realized that the citizens of Metropolis were just fiction, designed to draw a young boy to that television screen everyday.  But when we look at them closely, we also have to begin to realize that they were not very different from us, the Church, today.

The people of Metropolis were fully aware of the evil around them. They saw it destroying their lives and their society, recognizing it for what it was. They would turn their faces up, looking to the sky in search of, and waiting for, one who would come and save them from the evil that surrounded them.

When we look at the world around us today, we see a situation not much different from the one the people of Metropolis were faced with.  Daily, we see evil becoming more and more ingrained within our society.  We look in every direction and see the face of evil rising from our very streets.  And with each glance, we often find ourselves looking to the sky for a bright flash of light, knowing that One will come to save us.

But what does the Bible tell us about this situation?  Paul wrote of this very issue in 1 Thessalonians 5.  Here he wrote, “Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober.”(1 Thessalonians. 5:6)  There are three parts of this verse we need to take a very close look at. First, "not sleep".  The Greek word here means "to be aware, not to be ignorant or unconscious of the situation around us".  Second, "watch".  The word here means "to be alert and vigilant, to make sure nothing destructive should suddenly overtake us".  Third, "sober". The word here means "to be in self-control, to be calm and collected in spirit".  In seeing the meaning behind all three words, we form an incredible understanding of what Paul was telling us in this verse!

Paul shows us that we are to be aware and awake to the events of the world around us. Although our future does not lie in this world, we are a part of this world.  We should always be conscious and informed of the actions this world is taking everyday.  The Bible tells us we should be able to answer and defend our faith at all times(1 Peter 3:15). And unless we are aware of the events that surround us we cannot do so effectively. This is a world that needs to hear the answers that only God can provide, and He has called us to work vigilantly to reach the world with these answers(Matt. 28:19-20, Luke 19:13). We can only achieve this when we are aware and able to recognize evil, and are filled and collected in the Holy Spirit, who is the only One that can provide us with the needed answers as we go about the work God has called us to do.

We can look at the early Church to see this very example.  Life for early Christians who lived under the rule of Rome was not easy.  They daily faced persecution, knowing that they might have to give their life for their faith at any moment.  Rome required all to proclaim Caesar as god, putting Christians at odds with the very heart of their faith. Rome looked upon early Christians as traitors and outlaws, and many were lead away to their death because they refused to acknowledge Caesar as “Lord”.

Despite all the hardships they faced, the early Church continued to grow. The early followers worked diligently to proclaim the Good News of Christ to all those around them. Even at great risk, they followed the Lord’s command to bring His message to a needing world.  But in this message they also found great hope. The common greeting of the early Church became ”Maranatha”, an Aramaic word  meaning “the Lord is coming”.  They lived for the promise that one day the Lord would return for His followers and to set up His kingdom.  In this greeting was taught, when we look down we see the earth and all of its’ problems.  But when we looked up, we see the promise and hope that the Lord will one day bring. They knew until that day came, much work had to be done. There was a world out there that they had been called to reach, and people all around them in urgent need of their One true hope. But the message they had for those in need became clear.  To those who were discouraged by all the world held around them, Maranatha!  To those facing problems they saw no way out of, Maranatha!  To those who saw no hope in this life, Maranatha!  The word became so much more than a greeting, it held the promises, the anticipations, and the desires that only Christ could bring!

Today, we need to follow the example our early Church forefathers set for us so many years ago.  It is time we, the church, rolled up our sleeves and got to work.  We have a world to reach and a short time to do it in.  But while we are working earnestly on all the Lord has called us to do, we need to keep an eye on the sky.  Because,one day, very soon, we will look up and see “The Real Superman”!

MARANATHA!!!

Our Legacy

Dr. Mike Murphy

January 1, 2023

What do you see as your legacy?  What have you left for those you know and love to remember you by? Have you amassed wealth, monetary funds that will leave your loved ones far better off financially than you were?  Have you left a business, one that will continue to be at the heart of your community long after you are gone?  Have you left great writings, words that will keep your name on the tongue of others long after your bones turn to ashes?  What do you see as your legacy?

Most look at their legacy and can only envision it within the confines of this world.  But when we look at what we are leaving to those around us in this world, should not we look at our legacy with eyes that are far more eternal?  With eyes that are not just limited by what we see in this world, but with eyes of what the next world might show us?  Should we just look on legacy with what this world will show us, or through the vision that the Holy Spirit has brought us?

In a series of verses that countless pastors have used to teaches us many things, I believe that Christ also taught us exactly what our vision of a legacy should be.  In the Parable of the Talents(Matthew 25:14-30), the Lord tells the story of two faithful servants who took what their master had given them, and used what was given to increase the wealth of their master.  As the master returned from a long trip, he rewarded the two faithful servants.  And as he did, Christ tells us that the master spoke a series of familiar words to each.  “Well done, good and faithful servant!  You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things.  Come and share your master’s happiness!”(Matthew 25:21, 23).  In that reply, we hear six words that best describe what our legacy should be, six words that each of our legacies should be molded after.  “Well done, good and faithful servant.”

Each word of God’s Word teaches us that we are saved by grace through our faith in Christ(Ephesians 2:8-9).  But because of our faith, we are saved to do good works, and to make the most of what our Master gives us(Ephesians 2:10). For us to build a true legacy, and to hear those six words that should best describe our legacy, we must first be saved.  The unbeliever can and will never hear those six words, because without faith, it is impossible for us to ever please God(Hebrew 11:6).  It is only when we make Christ our Savior that our legacy can truly begin.

And as we make Him our Savior, our legacy soon becomes defined.  The details of our legacy is found in one word, serve.  It is through our service to Him that our legacy is written, and how we serve Him with our time in this world, our legacy will be remembered.  With each moment of gladness that we serve Him(Psalm 100:2), another line in our legacy is written for all the world to see and remember.

The first words of our legacy start with our acceptance of Christ, but the text of our legacy is written in the call Christ left us with.  In the Great Commission (Matthew 28:18-20), Christ lays out for us what the outline of our legacy should be.  We are to “go, make, teach”, to share the good news of His Word with all the world around us.  To not only tell everyone about His Word, but to teach others the character and nature of the Lord we gratefully serve.  We are not only to be disciples, we are to help make others disciples also, so the purpose and meaning of His life, death and resurrection can be known this world over.

Christ gives to us the authority to go out and change this world in His name(Matthew 16:19).  But that authority does not give us a title of power, but a position of opportunity.  An opportunity for others to see in us the peace, the comfort, and the security that comes to us through our service to Him.  Each day of that service shows us that our legacy is not written in titles, but in those opportunities.  And the world sees in us that being “Christ-like" is far more that just a title, but is at the heart of our legacy.

We must never forget, our legacy might be written with our own pen, but it is composed with His Words.  The blessings, the moments of our life that mark and defines us, does not come from our own hands, but by His hands.  God’s Word tells us, “every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of heavenly lights.”(James 1:17).  At the end of the day, our legacy must best be described as loving God with all we have, and loving others as He has loved us.

God’s Word teaches us, a reputation and a legend may be created in a moment, but a legacy can only be built through a lifetime in Christ.  This world might tell us that we need to live to be a legend, but the Holy Spirit shows us that we should live to leave a legacy.  As the Apostle Paul contemplated what the end of his life would bring, he made three very simple, but telling, statements about his own legacy.  Paul told us that he had fought the good fight.  That he had finished the race.  And he told us he had keep the faith.  In each of these words, Paul allowed the Lord to define his legacy.  Because in each of his statements, Paul showed how he had faithfully served his Master.  And in each of these words, Paul left a true legacy.

When my days are over, and each word of my legacy is written, I hope that when anyone thinks of me they will only remember my life by one word.  Servant. That my legacy is remembered as one who served our Master faithfully.  Who took each of the talents He entrusted in my hands, and gave them back to Him two-fold.  Who realized that his job was not to stand in the spotlight, but to be the one who happily made sure that spotlight was always shining on the One it was meant to shine on.  

I pray as my days on this earth end, that the words of my legacy are not written by me, but simply copied and pasted from His Word.  That my life was not defined by me, but by Him.  That on a future day when someone might think of me, they immediately picture in their mind a servant.  One who served his Master with passion, faithfully making the most out of each opportunity that was entrusted to him each day.  That I will not be remembered by a simple Google search, or by the words that might appear on my tombstone, but by the six words I long to hear Him speak to me, “Well done, good and faithful servant.”.   It is in those six words that I pray each day my legacy is being written.

Make Christ your legacy.

The Last Of The Magi(A Story For The New Year)

Dr. Mike Murphy
December 27, 2022

He was not prepared for what the stars had shown him.  The night before had shown a sight he wondered if his eyes would ever truly see.  The stars had revealed a promise, a promise that had been past down for generations.  The night before the sky had opened itself up for the world to see, and revealed a star that showed all the future had to offer.

As he stood on the terrace of his roof, dawn was just beginning to appear. As he looked to the east, he could watch the white haze of the morning clouds forming.  The beauty he saw filled his eyes, and the thoughts of what this day would hold filled his heart.  Today, the world had forever changed.  And today, a future promise had become the glorious promised future.

But this was a day he had prepared for, a day he had so longed for.  He had sold much of the wealth he had known in readying himself for this day.  With it, he had purchased three rare jewels.  A flawless blue sapphire, that shined with the brilliance of the night sky.  A perfect ruby, that glistened like the flames of a fire.  And a treasured, once in a lifetime pearl, that shined like a snow capped mountain. Three perfect gems for a perfect King, that he would place in the hands of a perfect Child.

He prepared that morning to find the child, the promised Messiah who had entered the world the night before.  He had made plans to meet with three of his fellow Magi on this morning, the day after the star had appeared in the sky. He hurriedly got all he needed together, gathered his prized steed, and rode off to meet the other Magi at the destination they had prepared to meet at.  He knew the time was short, and he would be pushed to arrive in the short time he still had to get there.

As he swiftly rode to their predetermined meeting place, his horse slowed and began to react with caution as he neared a large grove of date palms.  Soon his horse froze with fear, and as he looked ahead he could begin to see an image emerge from the shadows of the trees.  He watched as the figure collapsed, and soon found himself dismounting to see if he could help.  From the dress of his clothes and the wear on his face, it did not take him long to determine that the man who had collapsed in front of him was one of the poor Hebrew men that toiled in the area of the groves.  As he reached the man, he found him motionless, clinging to the little life he had left in him.  

His first thought questioned whether he should just leave the man.  He would surely not survive in his condition, and even the slightest of delays might cost him all he had prepared for. But as he looked into the man’s eyes, his heart would not let him leave this man.  He hurriedly lifted up the man, and carried him to a small mound at the base of one of the trees.  He gathered water from one of the nearby canals, and moistened the brow and the mouth of the struggling man. With his knowledge of medicine, he reached into his pouch and mixed a remedy he hoped would help the man, restoring what little strength he might still have left. For hours he labored in healing the man, and soon the man’s strength began to return.

“Who are you?”  “To whose hand to I owe so much?”, the Hebrew man asked.  “I am Artaban”, he replied. , “A Magi, and I am on my way to Jerusalem to honor the King that was born this past night.  One who will be more than just the King of the Jews, but the Prince who will deliver this world.  I am sorry, but I can no longer delay, as the caravan I am meeting may have already rode off without me. Here is all the bread, and most of the water I have.  As your strength continues to restore, I am now sure you will be able to make it back to the city.”  

“I have no way to repay you for all you have done for me”, the man told Artaban.  “I am poor by all standards, but I can give you information that will help you on your journey.  I remember the words the prophets taught us well, and the Messiah you seek will not be found in Jerusalem, but was foretold to be born in a small, neighboring town called Bethlehem. May the Lord keep you safe on your journey, and may your eyes see what they seek.”

Artaban mounted his horse, and rode his prized steed that night with the greatest of speed.  But as he arrived at the place they were all to meet, not a sight of his fellow Magi could be found.  As he searched the area, he found a note they had left for him.  The note simply read that they had waited for him as long as they could, asking him to ride on into the desert and catch up with them.  But without food, and limited in the supply of water he now had, Artaban knew what they asked would be impossible.  He decided that night that he would now have to take this journey alone, and must return to the city to gather all he would need. And with the reality of the moment, he was now faced with an even more troubling thought. He would have to sell one of his gems in order to pay for the trip he would now face.  As he neared the city, he reached into his pouch, and pulled out the sapphire he had purchased for the King.

As the days turned into weeks, Artaban made his way across the vast desert, seeking the face of the child who he knew was his King.  As he wearily arrived in Bethlehem, he could feel his heart again fill with hope.  At last he had found the place he sought, and at last he would look into the face of the One who would change the world.  But as he sought the house where the child would be, he soon became eerily aware of the desolation and quiet of the streets.  No one was present, isolation was all he saw.  

Suddenly, he saw a light from the door of a small cottage.  As he approached, he could hear the voice of a mother softly singing to her infant child. As he entered, he introduced himself to the woman, and asked about the child he sought, and about his fellow Magi that had come before him.  The mother told him of three Magi who had appeared in the village days before.  She told Artaban of the story they had told all in the village, and how the star had directed them to the place where Mary and Joseph were lodging with their child.  She went on to tell him that as quickly as they had appeared, they had also disappeared.  And soon after they left, Mary, Joseph, and the child had left also.  Rumor had spread through the village that they had left for Egypt.

The mother graciously offered all she had to Artaban  She placed the baby in a cradle, and prepared a meal for her guest.  Suddenly, the sounds of panic and chaos could be heard from the streets.  They could hear soldiers yelling and woman crying throughout the village.  As one woman came running by, Artaban caught her by the arm, asking her what was happening. “The soldiers of Herod, they are killing the children!”  

With hearing this, the mother reached for her child, and caressed him in her arms. She did all she could to quiet the young. infant boy, holding him close. As she held him, Artaban could see her begin to pray, and watched as the tears ran from her eyes with every word. Artaban made his way to the door. and closed it behind him.  He stood statuesque in front of the cottage, standing out in his royal attire.  As the soldiers approached the cottage, their captain came near him.  Steadily, and with a low voice, Artaban spoke to the captain.  “I am alone here, waiting to speak to the captain who will leave me in peace.”  As he spoke, Artaban reached into his pouch and showed the captain the ruby.  He effortlessly placed the ruby into the hand of the captain, and looked into his eyes.  Quickly the captain turned to his soldiers and said, “There is no child here, move on.”

Artaban watched as the soldiers made their way down the street, then raised his hands in prayer.  “I have failed you Lord!  I have spoke words that are not true in order to save the life of this child, and I have now lost two of the gems that I have brought as gifts for You.  I ask your forgiveness Lord, and I now wonder if i will ever be worthy enough to look upon the face of this Child!?”

Behind him he could her the woman praising God, and she reached for Artaban with the gentlest of touches.  “You have saved the life of my child, may the Lord always be with you, may He always bless you, and may He keep you in peace!”

The words the mother spoke were hardly heard by Artaban that night, and for over thirty years Artaban wandered the countryside of Egypt in search of the child he sought.  As Artaban searched through the years, he only found many in need.  Often he would stop and do all he could to help, feeding those who hungered, helping clothe those who were naked. Soon Artaban found all his money gone, and made his way back to Jerusalem, fearing his years of searching had gone in vain.

As he entered Jerusalem, he noticed the crowds that filled the streets, and soon discovered that it was the Passover season.  As he listened to the crowd, he could hear they were all talking about one particular man, one who was being crucified on the hill that overlooked the city.  As Artaban asked about this man, the details he received shocked him. “They call him Jesus of Nazareth”. one of the people told him.  “He was loved by many of the people, but the Sanhedrin ruled he must die, because he claimed to be the Son of God. Pilate has also tried him, and has sent him to be crucified this day.”

Quickly Artaban thought to himself, questioning if this could be the One he had come to see, and wondered if the remaining pearl could be used to seek His ransom.  He quickly made his way with the crowds to see if this was his Savior. But as he followed them on the streets, several soldiers cleared the path and brought with them a young girl in chains.  As she neared Artaban, she broke away from the guards and fell at his feet.  She looked at Artaban and pleaded, “May the Lord God lead you to help me!  May you have pity on me!  I am the daughter of a Jewish merchant from Parthia.  My father has died, and I am to be sold as a slave to pay for his debts.”

Once again the old, familiar conflict found its way to Artaban.  Would he help the girl, or make his way to his King?  As he looked into the eyes of the young girl, his heart was no longer divided.  One last time he reached into his pouch, and placed the pearl that remained in the hands of the young girl.  “Here is you ransom. It is all that I have left, and I had brought it with me for my King.”

As Artaban finished the words, the sky suddenly turned dark, and the earth began to tremble.  Stones began to fall from the buildings around them, and soon the crowds and the soldiers started to flee.  But Artaban and the young girl remained still, beside the building she had ran to him at.  Artaban felt no reason to flee, he had given away all he had purchased for the King, and now knew he would never see Him.  But even knowing what he now knew, there was a peace in the heart of Artaban.  As the earth made its’ last tremble, the building that was beside them began to give way.  Instinctively, Artaban covered the young girl with his body, and a stone from the structure struck Artaban in the temple of his head. As the girl pushed the stones away from her, she felt the collapsed body of Artaban beside her.  She could see the blood trickling from his head, and she placed his head in her lap.

As she stroked the head of the man who had just rescued her, she could her a faint voice somewhere near the building that had just fell on them.  She could see no one, but she could hear Artaban trying to answer.  “I have searched for years, but when did I ever see you my Lord?”  Again the girl could hear the faint voice, and this time she could make out the words that were being spoken. “Many times you saw Me Artaban, many times.  Each time you helped one of My children you saw Me. For each time I have been there with you.”  As the words ended, the young girl saw a calm came over the face of Artaban.  And as his last breath exited his body, she could see just how much he was at peace.  Artaban had completed his journey. Each of his precious gems had been given to the One he had purchased them for. The last of the Magi had found his King.

Many times over the past years this story has been told in different versions. Often times as the Christmas season ends, and the New Year begins, I have preached my version of this little known tale.  A story that shows us just how much each day we seek to serve Christ can matter.  A story of hope, and a story that shows us just how valuable each opportunity is that Christ gives to us. Each time I have spoke the words, I have prayed the words will do more than just warm the hearts of those who hear them.  That the words will call into action the hands and feet of all those who have ears to hear in the coming year.

The words of Christ that drives this story tells us, “For I was hungry, and you gave Me something to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave Me something to drink; I was a stranger, and you invited Me in; naked, and you clothed Me; I was sick, and you visited Me; I was in prison, and you came to Me.’  Then the righteous will answer Him, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry, and feed You, or thirsty, and give You something to drink?  And when did we see You a stranger, and invite You in, or naked, and clothe You?  When did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?’   The King will answer and say to them, ‘Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did it to one of these brothers of Mine, even the least of them, you did it to Me.’”(Matthew 25:35-40). These words do not lead us by what we feel, or by what we say, but by what we do.  It is in our actions that our words take on meaning, and an example can be found.  An example this world so needs to witness, that those around us so need to see.  For it is in the actions that He calls us to do that His reflection can be found.

As you sing Auld Lang Syne to bring in this coming year, I pray that each resolution you set will be more than just words.  That each resolution will carry with it a reflection of Him.  I pray that His Will drives each day of your life in the coming year.  I pray that each of your days will not just be viewed in the eyes of those around you by what you say about Christ, but by all you will do this year for Christ. I pray that each of your days will be like those of Artaban, that all of your gems will be used in serving Him. And as you finalize your list for the New Year, I pray above all that you will come to realize, the answer is not found in the life that we see so many choose to lead, but we can always find life in the Answer!  May all of your examples reflect Christ this coming year!

May each of your days be blessed!