After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? Matthew 2:1-2
Have you ever started looking for one thing and wound up finding a better thing? If so, you have experienced serendipity. In 1827, John Walker spent the day mixing chemicals. Wishing to clean his floor, he scraped a mixing stick across the stones and the stick burst into flame. Matches were created … serendipity. In 1945, Percy Spencer was working around a magnetron and felt the chocolate bar he was carrying in his pocket melt. Bingo, the first microwave had been born. It was serendipity! Around 1945, George deMestral, a mountain-hiking botanist, stopped to pull some burrs off his socks. Intrigued at their sticking power, he looked at the burrs under his microscope and came up with Velcro. Looking for one thing and finding something better … that’s serendipity.
The greatest serendipity of all is when a sinful soul meets Jesus. Take a look in the New Testament; it is filled with examples. A Samaritan woman went to the town well looking for water, was found by Jesus and ended up with forgiveness. Matthew went to his booth looking to collect taxes and was found by Jesus who gave him a new life. Peter went out in his boat looking for fish, was found by Jesus and started to fish for souls. The widow of Nain began the day dreading the burial of her only son, was found by Jesus and ended the day with a living son as well as a Savior. Mary Magdalene sat before an open tomb looking for her teacher's body and, most wondrous serendipity of all, she was found by her resurrected, death-defeating Savior.
The serendipity which comes from knowing the Savior is not something confined to days long gone and lands far away. Even today, Jesus is still seeking out the sad, unsatisfied searchers of this world. To those who find themselves lonely even in the midst of a crowd, Jesus comes, offering true friendship. To those who are afraid, Jesus comes bringing peace, which passes human understanding. To those whose consciences continuously accuse them, Jesus comes and with hands of love holds out the forgiveness which He alone can give. To look for one thing—anything—and be found by Jesus … that’s true serendipity.
Excerpt from The Lutheran Hour sermon preached on January 4, 2004
THE PRAYER:Dear God, because of you, I have true serendipity. Thank you for offering me true friendship, peace, and forgiveness. Help me to live my life with thanksgiving for all You have done. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
Today's Bible Readings: 1 Kings 3-4 Proverbs 1 John 19:1-22
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