A different way

Just as the Wise Men sought the King, we also seek and we shall find him if we seek after him with all our hearts (Jeremiah 29:13). If we, having seen the light, follow after it.   

But, having been warned of God in a dream, the Wise Men, after they had met and gifted the child, went home a different way (Matthew 2:12).  Rather than going back the way they came, having to report to Herod and set up the murder of the King of the Jews, they returned a different way.

No one who meets the Savior of the world can go home the same way they came for they came through the darkness of sin.

Having met the King of Kings and Lord of lords, one is changed and returns home differently than they came.  We come with old tattered garments of our own righteousness which is as filthy rags (Isaiah 64:6  But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.)  and leave redeemed by the blood of the lamb and robed in his righteousness (Isaiah 61:10  I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth herself with her jewels.) alone faultless to stand before the throne. Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy.

Perhaps they came by the Roman Road

The Romans Road to Salvation Meaning:

All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23).

The wages of sin is [eternal] death (Romans 6:23)

The free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord (Romans 6:23b).

Confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead (Romans 10:9).

But they returned by the way of the cross.

Luke 9:23-24: And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it.

(Cathy Bayert is pastor of Greybull First Baptist Church.)