Used with permission
The first twelve verses of Matthew chapter 2 tell us the story about the wise men from the east who knew about the birth of the King of the Jews. We know nothing about their names, how many they were, their means of transportation, nor the place from which they came.
Throughout the years, this biblical story has been clouded with myths, traditions and assumptions of people. But one truth is sure: these wise men came to worship the King! “And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him…” (Matthew 2:11).
The term ‘Wise men’ comes from “magus” or “magi” and this name was given by the Babylonians, Medes, Persians, and others to the wise men of their time, such as teachers, priests, physicians, astronomers, seers, or interpreters of dreams. Because of their combined knowledge of science, agriculture, mathematics, history, and religion, they became a prominent and powerful group. No wonder people called them ‘wise men’.
However, one of the big questions from this story is: “How did the wise men know about the birth of Jesus?” We are not told in the passage how God caused the ‘magi‘ to know that the King of the Jews had been born. The only sign that they had was the star. This we know for sure, it was God who revealed it unto them and guided them until they found Jesus Christ.
These men travelled from the East and came to Bethlehem with one purpose: to find the One born King of the Jews and worship Him. They were true seekers of the One and True God. Despite their possible pagan roots, prominence and power, they recognized that there is One Supreme Being over them. God promises that if a man seeks Him, he shall find Him (Jeremiah 29:13)
This Christmas let us not forget the true reason why we celebrate the season. The very God and Creator of all things came down to earth, dwelt among us, and obeyed the will of God the Father to die for our sins so that we might have life in Him.
Deuteronomy 4:29 “But if from thence thou shalt seek the LORD thy God, thou shalt find him, if thou seek him with all thy heart and with all thy soul.”