Day 4 – The East: Home of the Wise Men

“After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, “Where is the One who has been born King of the Jews? We saw His star when it rose and have come to worship Him.”

The book of Matthew is the only place we find the story of the Magi’s visit. It tells us all we know about them. In the first twelve verses – we get it all. In verse 1 they show up and in verse 12 they disappear. Who are this Magi it refers to – a special class of priests in the Persian Empire.

From other sources, we know the Magi had existed for hundreds of years before the time of Christ. They were brilliant, highly educated scholars who were trained in medicine, history, religion, prophecy and astronomy. They were also trained in what we would call astrology.

They may be descendants of the “wise men” of Babylon. I believe that God used Daniel (while he was in captivity in Babylon), to teach these men about future events, including the birth of the Savior of the world. Daniel 5:11 tells us he was put in charge of these men.

The Magi were pagans who had been drawn to Jesus. They had seen a star and they knew a Baby called “the King of the Jews” had been born. Yet with nothing more than that, they risked everything and left their homeland to find the Baby, bring Him gifts, and worship Him. They didn’t know very much about Jesus but what they knew spurred them to action.

This story is of the Magi is a picture of the Gentiles coming to Christ. Even as an infant His light shined and the “wise men” came to worship Him.

All roads led us to Christ. In the end there is no middle ground. To ignore Him is the same as to hate Him because you end up without Him either way. Perhaps hatred is nobler than casual disinterest because when you hate, you at least must pay attention to the object of your hatred. That very attention may someday lead to a change of heart. To ignore Jesus altogether means to live as if He doesn’t matter all. But no one can ignore Him forever. We all have an appointment with Christ sooner or later.

Christ never turns away from any heart that is open to Him. Those who seek him will find Him every time.

Lord, may we have faith like the Magi to seek the Lord Jesus until we find Him. Amen.