Lessons From the Wise Men

Scripture Reading: Matthew 2:1-11

 Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men [astrologers] from the east came to Jerusalem, asking,² Where is He Who has been born King of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the east at its rising and have come to worship Him.³ When Herod the king heard this, he was disturbed and troubled, and the whole of Jerusalem with him.⁴ So he called together all the chief priests and learned men (scribes) of the people and anxiously asked them where the Christ was to be born.⁵ They replied to him, In Bethlehem of Judea, for so it is written by the prophet:⁶ And you Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, you are not in any way least or insignificant among the chief cities of Judah; for from you shall come a Ruler (Leader) Who will govern and shepherd My people Israel.⁷ Then Herod sent for the wise men [astrologers] secretly, and accurately to the last point ascertained from them the time of the appearing of the star [that is, how long the star had made itself visible since its rising in the east].⁸ Then he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, Go and search for the Child carefully and diligently, and when you have found Him, bring me word, that I too may come and worship Him.⁹ When they had listened to the king, they went their way, and behold, the star which had been seen in the east in its rising went before them until it came and stood over the place where the young Child was.¹⁰ When they saw the star, they were thrilled with ecstatic joy.

¹¹ And on going into the house, they saw the Child with Mary His mother, and they fell down and worshiped Him. Then opening their treasure bags, they presented to Him gifts—gold and frankincense and myrrh

 Amplified Bible (AMP)

Key Verse: We saw his star in the East and have come to worship him (Matthew 2:2b).

Meditation: What an amazing story of God’s divine intervention to bring these three Wise Men to the feet of Jesus, the King of the Jews and the Savior of the World. Could there be another ingredient in the background of their revelation?

The book of Esther records that there were scattered all over Persia enclaves of Jewish people from the dispersions. Wherever there were 12 Jewish males, a synagogue would be erected for the reading of the Law and the Prophets. Perhaps at some time these Wise Men intersected these devout Jews steeped in messianic prophecies and in the hope of His imminent birth. Perhaps they had joined them in worship with other God-fearing Gentiles as were present in Jerusalem on the festival of Pentecost. I believe there was a connection between a synagogue, a star and the coming of the Wise Men to Bethlehem. God has never left  Himself without a witness to collaborate His book of nature. In this case it could have been a synagogue and a few messianic Jews. 

In England there was a church built overlooking a harbor, it could he seen miles away. One night a powerful hurricane hit the coast and destroyed the building. Members gathered, assessed the damage and agreed they would never he able to rebuild their church. But within a few days a representative from the British navy came asking them to rebuild. He insisted. saying. The church spire is on every Navy chart and map. The ships of the world are depending on this church.  It is this church that guides our ships safely into the harbor,’

Thought for the Day: Even though we may think we are insignificant, God has a special plan that includes us in guiding many people to Him.


  I wonder if the wise men came from different countries. We assume they came from Babylon. But the communities of Jews are all over the world.  Thus the Torah is read all over the world.  Yet it was rich Gentiles that came to worship a baby.


Some early Christians equated the Magi with Chaldean star-readers from Babylon, masters of the occult familiar throughout the Roman Empire. St. Justin Martyr and Tertullian thought they were Arabians but most believers in Patristic times took their Persian origin for granted.