The Three Wise Men
In the biblical account of Jesus’ birth found in the New Testament book of Matthew, Matthew goes into greater detail regarding the Magi, or Wise Men, who visit Jesus, writing,
“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
The long-awaited child had come, and the wise men sought after Him, following the Star of Bethlehem faithfully.
Matthew goes on to write,
“...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 worshipped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.”
– Matthew 2:9-11
The three wise men presented the King of Kings and Lord of Lords with gifts, much like we do for our friends and family on Christmas morning, an act parallel to that of the wise men.
But, where we fail to emulate the magi is in our constant and faithful seeking of Him at this time of year.
More often than not, Jesus is placed on the back burner, stowed away in the back of our minds until that Christmas Eve service comes around and we get all dressed up and load the whole family into the car to have a candlelight service one night out of the year.
There is a very common, and dare I say somewhat cheesy, phrase that follows the wise men at this time of year: “The wise men still seek Him.”
Just like how the magi followed the star to Bethlehem, seeking Him, we, too, should seek Him in all areas of our lives, in all seasons, in all hours.
The wise men dropped everything to follow the star into Bethlehem, to see the Prince of Peace before their very eyes.
And they were overjoyed.
Don’t lose Jesus in the hustle and bustle of the next few days.
Instead, intentionally seek Him.
He is the light in the night; the only thing worth dropping everything for and following faithfully unto death.
The wise men knew it directly after His birth, and it still rings true to this day.
