Three wise men

December 17, 2021 (Friday)

 

I have always been intrigued by how the Christmas story is presented as “unlikely.” Think about it. What are the chances of a virgin birth? What are the chances Joseph would take Mary as his wife after she was found with child? Why choose shepherds, the lowest of the low (and possibly Gentiles) as the first witnesses? Why would comfortable Gentile dignitaries travel so far to visit a King of a nation that didn’t exist?

 

Let’s crack the case of the “wise men” today. “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? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.” [Matthew 2:1 – 2 NIV] Who were these “Magi?”

 

The easy answer is, nobody knows for certain. They appear, create a stir, and vanish as if they were simple foils in a plot line. The significant thing is these “Magi” most likely Gentiles. The Jews of Jesus day, called Gentiles “goi.” This word was very similar to the word for dog (a worthless and unclean creature by Jewish custom and law). “Goi” was often mispronounced as a slur on Gentiles.

 

As unlikely as the seekers were, how about the sign? It was a star. God warned Israel to shun such practices and those who practiced them. In fact, they are called an “abomination.” (see Deuteronomy 18:9 – 12). Why would God use a star? My suspicion is a star is something they would understand. God tends to meet us where we are with what we understand. If it’s a dream, it’s a dream. If it’s a star, it’s a star.

 

The search takes a twist when they stop at Jerusalem, the historical capital of Israel. It’s the place that makes sense, from a human point of view. Yet, the stop takes on an ominous foreshadowing of Jesus life. “He gathered all the chief priests and the legal experts and asked them where the Christ was to be born. They said, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for this is what the prophet wrote…” [Matthew 2:4 – 5 CEB] Get it? The religious elite knew the prophecies (facts), but they were unable to connect them to Jesus. Which was the trajectory of Jesus’ life.

 

The success of the seekers is wrapped in more than giving gifts to the new born king. “When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. And going into the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh.” [Matthew 2:10 – 11 ESV] They had “exceedingly great joy” in locating the guiding of the star, but what happens next is special.

 

I believe they traveled to visit Jesus with every intention of giving Him gifts. I do not think they fully understood who they were journeying to see. Notice the reaction: “they fell down and worshiped him.” Their reaction was to fall down. In English this signifies something that is involuntary or deliberate. If it was involuntary, then it was due to the awe of coming in contact with the Creator of all things. If it was deliberate, then it was due to the recognition of who they were worshiping.

 

Either way, their action was compelled. Imagine that… Don’t let Christmas come and go without falling down (or throwing yourself down) at the feet of Jesus.