THE WISE MEN
Read Matthew 2:1-12 (KJV)
In April 1972, Gloria Youse began a Bible Study Class in her home, which later became the Sunshine Bible Class by mail because members who moved wanted to continue to study with the class. In April 1976, my mother recruited me to participate in studying the Bible with Gloria. In January of 1983, members received their first Sunshine Corner Newsletter in the mail. This newsletter was a compilation of meditations, poems, testimonies, prayer requests, birthday wishes, recognitions of members who completed a course of study and devotions members wished to share with each other. For twenty-three years members studied books of the Bible, received certificates of completion and awards in passing all of their lessons in a course of study. Sadly, in 1995 due to decline in participation, the mailing of Bible study lessons and newsletters discontinued. Twenty-five years passed since that last newsletter in 1995 but Pastor Doug’s message on the Wise men on Sunday, December 27 brought back memories of a meditation I wrote back in January 1988.
Here is what I wrote:
When Christ was born a star had appeared in the east and magi--wise men, who were astrologers happened to be watching the stars and saw this one particular star; a new star shining as bright as ever in the night sky. “What did this star mean” they wondered. Then they (wise men) remembered sayings of Scripture, especially by prophets of old. “I see Him, but not now; I behold Hi, but not near; a star shall come forth from Jacob, and a scepter shall rise from Israel” (Numbers 24:17). “But as for you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you One will go forth for me to be ruler in Israel” (Micah 5:2). Then they (wise men) gathered themselves up and went on to the land of Israel to see the One born King of the Jews.
We are not sure exactly how the wise men came to the conclusion; what the star may have meant to them or of the processes they went through to understand the star’s meaning that night. But, we can be sure that the wise men followed the star to the Christ child. The star led them, a bright light to the True Light of the world.
Christmas may be over, the old year in now gone but we have the whole New Year ahead of us. The wise men did not arrive on the night of Christ’s birth for Scripture tells us that they arrived later, almost two years later (Matthew 2:16). However, the wise men saw the beginning of the promise of God—the life that is to be found in Christ offered to the all the world. They (wise men) saw the hope of the new tomorrow.
Christmas is not over for every day Christ is born within us in new ways, a new light, a new hope and a new joy. Just as the wise men saw the star and followed it to the Christ child, may we be as lights in this New Year to lead others to Christ.
Let me expand on some of the raised by Pastor Doug in his message, which provides additional insight to the meditation in 1988.
· The passage in
Matthew does not mention how many wise men followed the star to Bethlehem. Travel in those days was mostly by caravans;
many persons would be traveling together for safety and protection from thieves
and robbers along the roads.
· Matthew’s Gospel
does not mention the names of the wise men nor does it state they were “kings,”
as in the familiar song, We Three Kings.
The Greek word for wise men (KJV) and magi (NIV) is magos identifying
those as interpreters of dreams, seers and observance of the stars. Note, this is where the word ‘magic’
originated.
· Matthew states
the wise men arrived at the house where Mary and the child were, not in a
stable. The Gospel of Luke implies that
Mary and Joseph were still in Bethlehem after Jesus’ birth. Jesus was circumcised eight days later, then,
thirty-three days later, after Mary’s purification Jesus was presented in the
Temple in Jerusalem (Luke 2:21-24; Leviticus 12:1-4).
· Three Kings Day falls
on January 6, called Epiphany in the Church calendar. Some cultures celebrate Three Kings Day as a
day for giving gifts and in western tradition, it is the 12th day
after Christmas. The wise men were not
actually present the night Christ was born as we see in most Nativity
Scenes. The wise men had come from the
east, which was quite a distance of travel and they would have traveled in a
caravan, not alone. Since Joseph was a
righteous man (Matthew 1:19), Mary and Joseph would follow the laws of
circumcision and purification; they were still in Bethlehem at least forty days
or more. The wise men would have arrived
at least forty days later to the house where Mary was with Jesus.
· We are not sure
how long Mary and Joseph stayed in Bethlehem but we do know it would have been
at least two years. After King Herod
heard the story from the wise men, and having the story confirmed by the
prophetical writings Herod asked for the wise men to return with a report
(Micah 5:2). How long did it take Herod
to realize that the wise men would not be returning but going home a different
way - a week, a month? This might be why
Herod took no risks but to have male children killed from birth to the age of
two.
· The Gospel of
Matthew informs us that Jesus was born to be King of the Jews whereas the
Gospel of Luke informs us that Jesus was born to be the Savior of the World. The Gospel of John informs us that God,
became a man and lived among us validating the birth of Christ and his purpose
(Matthew 1:20-21; Luke 2:10-11; John 1:6-14 compare Isaiah 7:14).
To repeat the words written in 1988, “Christmas is not over for every day Christ is born within us in new ways, a new light, a new hope and a new joy. Just as the wise men saw the star and followed it to the Christ child, may we be as lights in this New Year to lead others to Christ.” “Let your light so shine before all…” (Matthew 5:16).
HAPPY, BLESSED, NEW YEAR!
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