Sunday, December 10, 2006

Why Those Men Were Wise



Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem,

Saying, "Where is He that is born King of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the east, and are come to worship Him."

-Matthew 2: 1-2



The wise men ("magi" in the NASB) did not equivocate in their word choice when they arrived in Jerusalem in the early part of the first century. Perhaps after a wearisome journey that may have lasted months or years they were in no mood to dissemble, but, unlike many today who strenuously avoid the mention the miraculous birth of the Son of God, and who seem to strive even more to avoid its mention at the very time of year we celebrate it, the wise men got straight to the point. In their short two-sentence inquiry they testified that the One Whose birth they came to recognize was the King, that He was Divine (hence, their intention to worship Him), that His birth was revealed in the heavens, and this revelation had been observed even in their distant country (they had seen His star in the east).

In addition, they acted on the knowledge they had received, making the arduous journey, bringing gifts to indicate reverence and worship, and speaking the truth they knew while searching earnestly for what they didn't know. They were apparently not familiar enough with the Scriptures to know they should look in Bethlehem, so they asked.

Their love for the truth is an example to the rest of humanity throughout the ages.

0 Comments:

Post a Comment

<< Home