Looking for ChristmasSample

Looking at the Magi

The Greek word mάgoi in Matthew 2:1 is translated as “wise men” or “magi,” a word originally meant in reference to a class of Persian wise men who were teachers, priests, seers, and interpreters of special signs, especially in connection with astrology. The magi of Matthew 2 were astronomers who followed His star from the East to worship “the king of the Jews” (Matthew 2:2 NLT). Magi were well educated; they were top-level scientists and scholars. They devoted precious time to studying and observing the heavenly lights. They had wealth and power, yet there was obviously something missing in each of their lives. When they saw the spectacular and supernatural star, it moved them out of their comfort zones and onto the backs of camels for the long journey to Bethlehem. A journey that long could have taken several weeks or months—with no map—just a gleaming star to guide them. If that star had stopped shining, they would have been lost, but it continued to shine and led them directly to the Christ child.

“Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We saw his star as it rose, and we have come to worship him” (Matthew 2:2 NLT). In regard to how many magi there were, two or three foreign men asking this question in Jerusalem would not cause much of a stir (the idea of a Jewish king would have been laughable, and the magi would have been seen as kooks and easily disregarded).

But a delegation of several foreign men ascending on Jerusalem (there is reason to believe the Magi came in a larger group than we might’ve thought) and asking such questions would certainly set tongues wagging! That’s the kind of news that would make its way all the way to Herod’s palace.

“They entered the house and saw the child with his mother, Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasure chests and gave him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh” (Matthew 2:11 NLT). With their treasures in hand, the magi bowed down and worshipped Him, the Treasure of heaven. They did not bow down to them—Mary, Joseph, and Jesus. They had traveled all that way and over so many weeks or even months with one goal in mind: to find the King of the Jews and worship Him alone. As happened with the magi, His light still penetrates the darkness of our own lives and leads us on a journey to worship Him.

The magi rode off into history without further word written about them. They saw a sign of the coming King in the skies, gathered up precious treasures, and sought earnestly for Him. And when they found Him, they worshipped Him. Their lives are an example for our own search for the King of kings. How awesome that God chose those of the lowest profession, the shepherds, and those in an esteemed profession, wise and royal counselors, to look for Jesus and worship Him. The low and the mighty. The rich and the poor. God’s kingdom is open to any and all who will seek Him with a pure heart.