During the Christmas season, much focus is placed on the various members of the nativity. And so it should be. Mary and Joseph, the shepherds, even the innkeeper who turned the young couple away. But what about the wise men? True, they didn't show up at the manger scene along with the others. Jesus was probably about a year old at the time of their visit to the young family's house. But they were significant enough to be mentioned in Matthew 2, and should be considered as examples for us to follow.


Here's the synopsis of what happened:

"Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem, saying, “Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.” When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him; and assembling all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born . . .Then Herod summoned the wise men secretly and ascertained from them what time the star had appeared. And he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, “Go and search diligently for the child, and when you have found him, bring me word, that I too may come and worship him.” After listening to the king, they went on their way. And behold, the star that they had seen when it rose went before them until it came to rest over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. And going into the house they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh. And being warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed to their own country by another way."

What were the true gifts of these magi from the East? Not just gold, frankincense, and myrrh, but so much more. They essentially gave themselves to the Baby. Consider these points:

1. They were Gentiles seeking a Jewish king. In those days, most Gentiles were scorned by the Jewish peoples as "dogs" or "barbarians." These men who were used to receiving respect and obeisance risked facing degradation and ridicule by those whom they sought. They gave up their "right" to be honored for the sake of finding a baby.

2. They were men of great knowledge. The magi were great scholars, learned men who had an extensive knowledge of not just the Scriptures, but all the major writings of their time. But all that knowledge could not show them where to find their Saviour. They gave up the pride of their knowledge when they admitted their ignorance and accepted the help of others on their mission.

3. They were men of great wealth. These men were respected not just for their knowledge and power but also for the great riches which they possessed. They did not know the final outcome of their quest, but they knew they must find this baby - and they were willing to risk losing all their wealth to do so. They didn't know whether they would be able to return to their homes and riches after finding the baby. They essentially gave up the privileges of their wealth when they chose to seek the home of the Saviour.

4. They were men of great influence. Who was more influential in those days then the ones who held great wealth and knowledge? They were the leaders of their cities, the great "somebody's" of their time. They gave up the chance to continue that influence when they left their hometowns to seek the child.

Truly, the wise men's gifts went far beyond the materials they laid before the baby. They gave of themselves when they chose to seek Him who could save their souls. It is true what is stated by the apostle Paul, that not many wise are chosen.

"Where is the one who is wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? . . . For consider your calling, brothers: not many of you were wise according to worldly standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth."

How many of us today, who are not considered the "wise men" of our time, would be willing to risk giving up all that we have to find a simple child? How many of us would be willing to lose our wealth -  however small it may be - our knowledge and our influence, to embark on a journey to a distant land where we would face ridicule and scorn, when we couldn't even be sure that we would find that for which we sought?

These wise men were wise beyond the wisdom of the world. They had been given the gift of divine wisdom, that which comes only from the one true God. Can we say the same about ourselves?

"For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God."



(Matthew 2:1-12; 1 Corinthians 1:20, 26; 1 Corinthians 1:18)

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