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W I N T E R • 2 0 1 3
VOLUME 14, ISSUE 4

 

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D E P A R T M E N T S

Ask the PASTOR
 

 

What is significant about the story of the magi?

On the back window of a pickup I recently saw a decal which said, “Wise men still seek Him.” As I contemplated this excellent advice, I decided to do a little more study into the fascinating story of the magi recorded in Matthew 2:1-12.

Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem, saying, “Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we saw His star in the east, and have come to worship Him” (Mt. 2:1-2).

“Magi” is a Persian word that referred to a special class of priests in the Persian empire. They were highly educated in all aspects of learning including astrology. In their day astrology was connected with man’s search for God. The ancients studied the skies in order to find the answers to the great questions of life: Who am I? Why am I here? Where am I going? Today, astrophysics is still searching for answers. Is there any evidence of life on Mars or somewhere else “out there”?

Most scientists today, however, are seeking to prove there is no God. In contrast, the ancient magi were seeking God. No one knows for sure what the mysterious star was that they obediently followed, but some believe the magi could have traveled a thousand miles on their quest to find this baby king.

How did they know the star would lead them to the recently born King of the Jews? These wise men may have had the writings of Daniel which he received from God during Judah’s exile in Babylon which extended into the first years of the Persian empire. One writer put it like this:

We know that the Jews were looking for a Messiah. We know that the Magi looked to the stars for guidance. We know that the Jews and the Magi had intermingled for at least 500 years. We know that the Magi would notice any new sign in the sky. Therefore, it should not surprise us that the Magi would travel to Jerusalem to greet this new Jewish king.

In answer to their question, “Where is He who has been born King of the Jews?” the magi discovered that the birthplace of the Messiah was to be Bethlehem and not Jerusalem. As they went their way,

Lo, the star, which they had seen in the east, went on before them, until it came and stood over where the Child was. And when they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. And they came into the house and saw the Child with Mary His mother; and they fell down and worshiped Him; and opening their treasures they presented to Him gifts of gold and frankincense and myrrh (Mt. 2:9-11).

So what can we learn from the account of the magi?

• They studied to find the truth about God.
• They recognized the star was not usual. Like Moses at the bush that did not burn, it was outside their normal paradigm.
• They searched available records (perhaps the writings of Daniel) and inquired outside their religious traditions.
• They searched diligently, perhaps traveling about 1000 miles to Jerusalem.
• They asked questions of the religious leaders and discovered that the Messiah was to be born in Bethlehem, not Jerusalem as they had supposed.
• They continued to follow the star to their destination.
• They rejoiced at finding the Baby Jesus, and they poured out their treasures in worship.

Think of how many barriers they had to cross to get to Jesus. There was a culture barrier, a distance barrier, a language barrier, a racial barrier, and a religious barrier, not to speak of a hostile king and indifferent religious leaders. It wasn’t easy for them to find Jesus, but they did. If they found him, then so can you.

And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart (Jer. 29:13).

Not only are we to seek God, but He is seeking us. That is what the Christmas story is all about!

For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost (Lk. 19:10).

Today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord (Lk. 2:11).

For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life. For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world should be saved through Him (Jn. 3:16-17).

Yes, and when we find Him, we too, will rejoice, worship, and present to Him our gifts. The decal in the back window of that pickup was true: “Wise men still seek Him.” †

 

Endnotes

1. See Daniel 6.
2. http://www.keepbelieving.com/sermon/1990-12-23-We-Three-Kings/

 

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DALE RATZLAFF
Founder of Proclamation! and
Life Assurance Ministries