WHO, WHAT, WHERE, WHEN, WHY, AND REALLY

PART 5:  WISE MEN

WHO, WHAT, WHERE, WHEN, AND REALLY...  It seems there are always questions to be asked.  And so it is with the Christmas Story. 

WISE MEN – MATTHEW 2:1-12

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.”

Now doesn’t that just beat all?  These guys were lost.  I will admit, they did ask for directions.

Magi is plural for magus.  A magus was a member of a hereditary priestly class among the ancient Medes and Persians and traditionally one of the three wise men from the East paying homage to the infant Jesus.  Knowing this we have to rethink the Christmas image.  First, I admit the Wise Men do not belong in the manger scene, but we can blame whoever put on the first school Christmas play.  I am sure some mother was in the front row shouting, “What role does my son get?”  Sitting in the second row were two other mothers asking the same question.

It must also be noted that those three Wise Men were not riding along on their camels by themselves.  Priestly class would not be cooking their own meals, nor bedding the camels down for the night.  The Magi would have quite the entourage.  Besides, their arms would have been busy guiding the camel, not holding the gold, frankincense and myrrh in the perfect position to show up in a silhouette. 

Yes, I am having a bit of fun with the Magi.  On with the story…

After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen when it rose went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was.  When they saw the star, they were overjoyed.  On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him.

They immediately bowed down and worshiped him.  How many questions did Mary ask?  What did Jesus think of the gifts they brought?  Did he wish they would have brought him a small hammer so he could hammer nails? 

And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route.

 

Do you suppose they found their way home?

How are we like the Wise Men? 

·       We are seeking.
·       We think we know where we are going.
·       We have to ask for directions.
·       We arrive at our location.
·       We travel home another route.

So…

·       Are you seeking?
·       Do you know what road to take?
·       Are you willing to ask for directions if/when you get lost?
·       What will you do when you arrive at your location?
·       Will you stay on the same old road or follow a new and better road?

Be assured!  You are not on the road alone!  God is always beside you.  There are fellow seekers willing to travel with you.  And when you arrive, you will want to follow a new and better road.

Can you find your way home?  The new road leads to the Christ Child and the Christ Child is your salvation.

For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given;

and the government shall be upon his shoulder:

and his name shall be called

WONDERFUL,

COUNSELLOR,

THE MIGHTY GOD,

THE EVERLASTING FATHER,

THE PRINCE OF PEACE.

Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end,

upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom,

to order it, and to establish it with judgment

and with justice from henceforth even for ever.

 

Isaiah 9:6-7