Matthew 2:10 When they saw the star, they were overjoyed.

This passage is so familiar that I could pretty well quote all 12 verses from memory, and I’ve not only written, I’ve preached on this particular verse. However, familiarity indeed breeds contempt, and it is actually very helpful to revisit familiar passages, particularly those that have strong calendar associations, out of sequence, so to speak. I would call this verse an example of confirmation joy. It may not have been as extreme as what the Magi experienced, but we’ve all experienced this to some degree, when something we were looking forward to turned out as expected, or perhaps even better than expected. In the case of the Magi, they had set out in faith that they were understanding what God was showing them, but it was certainly a major undertaking, and I’m sure they at times wondered if they had been mistaken. When the scribes in Jerusalem quickly came up with Bethlehem as the place where the Messiah was to be born, I’m sure their anticipation peaked (or so they thought) and here, the heavens themselves confirmed that they were on track. They probably wondered if they had already died and gone to heaven! In terms of narrative, this is something of the peak of the story, but for the Magi, it was entering the house and encountering the Holy Family, and everything they had been through to get there became insignificant. I’m sure their spiritual sensitivity was at peak level at that point, so it’s hardly surprising that they recognized the Lord’s instructions not to go back to Herod. The thing is, every believer has something like this to look forward to, when we stand before our Lord in heaven. We believe, firmly enough, but the reality will be so much better than we can now imagine. As the song says, “I can only imagine.” As Paul said, “‘What no eye has seen, what no ear has heard, and what no human mind has conceived’—the things God has prepared for those who love him—these are the things God has revealed to us by his Spirit.” (1 Corinthians 2:9-10) Now that will be confirmation joy!

So many things whet my anticipation of heaven! Unless the Lord returns first, I know that there will be people who will mourn my departure, but that is a transition I personally look forward to immensely. My wife has had a taste of heaven, having had a near-death experience over 50 years ago, and nothing she has told me has blunted my anticipation. For that matter, I had an experience myself over 30 years ago of being in a small prayer meeting, just worshiping in the presence of the Lord, and the joy in my heart became so intense that I literally asked the Lord to back it off a little, if He had anything more for me to do on this earth, because I didn’t think my physical body could take it. That won’t be a limiting factor in heaven! I am feeling great joy at the moment that someone to whom I have been witnessing has promised to come to church tomorrow. I hope I don’t explode when he shows up! God does have good things planned and prepared for us. I am to rest in that assurance, and share the good news with as many people who will receive it as possible, so that God’s plans for us may be fulfilled for His glory.

Father, thank You for this reminder, from an extremely familiar verse. May I not let familiarity blunt my appreciation of Your Word, but rather let Your Word become more and more part of me, for the blessing of those I encounter and for Your glory. Thank You. Praise God!