The Wise Men

How many there were, we are not told, but the Wise Men who came from the East to Jerusalem after the birth of Jesus Christ stand today as monuments of faith. Though living in a land of idolatry, their true scientific occupation with the starry heavens, coupled with the truth they had learned, led them to the Saviour. The gifts they brought show the reality of their acknowledgment of Him as Lord and King.

The simple yet profound, clear yet concise account in the Word gives a remarkable example for us today. Notice the prospect, path, purpose, and protection of these wise men in relation to the One with whom we all have to do.

Their Prospect

The unusual appearance of a "star" they had never seen in the heavens, and the divine prophecy preserved in the writing of Moses in Numbers 24:17 regarding it, convinced these Magi that the King of Israel was born! Accepting the twofold testimony of Creation and the Word led them to this certain conclusion. Faith instilled in them a desire to see the King. This became their cherished prospect and started them on the journey that fulfilled their desire. What a contrast to the Scribes who knew the letter of the law, and could tell that Jesus was to be born in Bethlehem, yet had no desire to see Him and honor Him as their Saviour and King! Reader, do you have a longing in your heart for Him?

Their Path

The Word of God directed the Wise Men to Jesus. It is no different today. The Scriptures bear witness to Him who came, died, rose from the dead, and ascended back to heaven. Faith in the prophecy of Numbers 24 led these Wise Men to Jerusalem. Then, further revelation from Micah 5 led them to Bethlehem where they found the Child Jesus. The revelation of the Bible always leads to Christ. Faith follows this path and reaps the rewards. The result for the Wise Men was that "they rejoiced with exceeding great joy." And today the result is the same for all "wise" men who accept God's testimony and thus come to a personal acquaintance with the Lord Jesus as Saviour and Lord. Of this, Peter writes: "Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see Him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory" (1 Peter 1:8). Is my reader one whose path of faith has brought him to such joy?

Their Purpose

Finally reaching the house where the young Child is, their purpose is achieved. Bringing out of their treasures--gold, frankincense and myrrh--they lay all at His feet and worship HIM! There is divine significance in all their gifts, as Scripture bears witness. The gold speaks of the glory and righteousness that is His as the Son of God. The frankincense is the fragrance of the perfect, sinless life He lived here in a world of opposition as the willing, obedient Servant who came to do the Father's will. The myrrh suggests the sweet savor of His life laid down in death to satisfy a holy God about the question of sin, becoming the divine Substitute for all who accept Him by faith. Gratitude for such a Saviour fills the heart to overflowing as His glories and virtues occupy the soul, and worship ascends to Him! Is my reader a worshipper of the Lord Jesus?

Their Protection

The faithful allegiance to the King of kings on the part of the Wise Men brought upon them the wrath of Herod. But God, whom they honored, took up their cause and warned them to return home another way. The God who is Saviour is also Protector. Each one who trusts in Him becomes the object of His loving care, as Peter says "He careth for you" (1 Peter 5:7). The Wise Men knew the blessed reality of this, and so today, all who are truly "wise" will find Christ to be both the wisdom and power of God on their behalf.

Let us be "wise," then, and follow these faithful witnesses! Let us receive the revelation of Him who is the Word become flesh and be led to behold, by faith, the glory of the only begotten of the Father full of grace and truth. Let it be true of each reader as it was of the blind man in John 9. In answer to the Lord's question: "Dost thou believe on the Son of God?" he replied, "Lord, I believe. And he worshipped Him."

--D.T.J.