“Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the East and have come to worship Him.” (Matt. 2:2)
One of the toughest questions that skeptics like to throw at Christians goes like this, “What about the pygmies in the African bush who’ve never heard of Jesus? Is God going to send them to hell, because of their ignorance? That doesn’t seem right, especially if they are sincerely following their version of God.”
It’s a great question and perhaps you’ve been stumped by it, but the Bible offers a satisfying answer in the Christmas story. But before we get there, there are some important caveats.
First, God has clearly revealed His creative power, wisdom and sovereignty in the creation. Whether looking up to a star-spangled sky (Ps. 19:1) or contemplating the miracle of a newborn baby (Ps. 139), God is not silent. He has spoken through creation, complexity and conscience, “For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse” (Rom. 1:20).
This is called general revelation and what it means is that anyone with common sense can deduce from the beauty and order of creation that there is a Creator.
But, humanity’s problem is that we are lost in sin and our default position is in rebellion against God (Rom. 3:11). In reality, it’s not that some people have not heard about God. Rather, the problem is that they have rejected what they have seen and heard, and instead decide to worship a “god” of their own creation.
However, God is seeking to save the lost. Christmas is positive proof of that. When we could not get to God, God came to us in the most unlikely way – an infant. Jesus was God’s love gift to the world and the way that all nations could be saved (John 14:6).
This is where the magi come into the picture. They were Gentiles from a distant land, presumably Babylon. As stargazers they studied the movements of the constellations and planets. When they saw the unique Bethlehem star, their curiosity got the best of them. They deduced from their knowledge of astronomy and hints from the Scriptures that God was up to something big. And so, they followed the evidence where it led. Across a desert they trekked, until they ended up at Jesus’ doorstep.
This scene tells us a lot about the nearness of God and the lengths He will go to reach us. Acts 17:27 assures us that God is not distant, “we should seek the Lord, in the hope that they might grope for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us.” Moreover, Jeremiah 29:13 says, “And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart.”
Everyone who truly seeks after God will find Him. If a person truly desires to know God, God will make Himself known. I wonder, what “stars,” that is – people, events, miracles, blessings – has God sent into your life so you will seek Him? Know that if you are seeking today, it’s only because you have already been sought (John 6:44).
Often, this question is used by skeptics to keep God at a distance. They think God would be unjust by denying an aborigine entry into heaven. But when we stand before God, we will not be judged on the decisions or works of others, we will be held accountable for what WE did with the light and opportunity we were given. Moreover, God is not on trial here. We are, and He’s not subject to fallen notions of justice.
I often pose this simple question, “If it could be proven to you that Christianity is true, then would you repent and change?” Many times, the answer is, “No.” Which proves at least one thing – most people are on a happiness quest, not a truth quest. But for those searching for the truth, then it’s inevitable – they will eventually end up at Jesus’ feet, just like the wise men.
