The role of the Wise Men... encourages us to respond to Jesus in the same way that they did: with faith and adoration.
The Magi, or the Wise Men, are an essential part of the Christmas story as they represent the fulfillment of the ancient prophecies that a Messiah would be born for all nations, not just for the Jews.
Their journey to Bethlehem, following a star that announced the birth of the King of the Jews, was a journey of faith, courage, and obedience. Their worship of the baby Jesus, offering him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh, was a worship of the true God, who came to earth in human form.
Who Were These Wise Men?
One of the most intriguing questions about the Christmas story is the identity of the wise men who came to visit Jesus. According to the Gospel of Matthew, these wise men were not royalties but μαγοι (mάgoi), a Greek word that can mean wise men or magi. The word μαγοι originally refers to a specific class of priests from the Persian empire who were experts in various fields of knowledge, such as religion, astronomy, and astrology.
They were also known for their ability to interpret dreams and omens and to perform magic and divination. The μαγοι were highly respected and influential in Persian society and sometimes served as advisors to the kings. They had a peculiar interest in the movements of the stars and planets, which they believed revealed the will of the gods and the fate of the world.
The μαγοι who came to Bethlehem were probably following a star that they considered to be a sign of a great event or a new king. They brought gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh—typical offerings for royalty or divinity.
The μαγοι were not Jewish, but they recognized Jesus as the Messiah and worshiped him. Their visit fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah 60:3, which says, "Nations will come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your dawn."
The Gifts of the Wise Men
The wise men who visited the infant Jesus came from the east, following a star, and brought gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. But what do these gifts mean, and why did they choose them?
Gold:
Gold is a precious metal that symbolizes royalty, wealth, and power. It was a fitting gift for the King of kings, who would rule over all nations and peoples. Gold also represents the divine nature of Jesus who is God in the human flesh. By giving gold, the wise men acknowledged His sovereignty and divinity.
Frankincense:
Frankincense is a fragrant resin that was used to make incense for worship. It symbolizes prayer, holiness, and devotion. Frankincense was a fitting gift for the Priest of priests, who would intercede for us before God and offer himself as a sacrifice for our sins. It also represents the human nature of Jesus, who was born of a virgin and lived a sinless life. By giving frankincense, the wise men honored His purity and piety.
Myrrh:
Myrrh is a bitter substance used to make perfume and anointing oil. It symbolizes suffering, death, and burial. It was a fitting gift for the Prophet of prophets, who would speak the truth of God and suffer persecution and rejection. Myrrh also represents the sacrificial nature of Jesus, who would die on the cross and be buried in a tomb. By giving myrrh, the wise men foreshadowed His passion and resurrection.
The wise men's gifts were valuable, practical, meaningful, and prophetic. They revealed different aspects of Jesus' identity and mission and expressed their faith and worship. They teach us today to recognize Jesus as our king, priest, and prophet. And to offer him our best gifts: our hearts, our lives, and our praise.
The Significance of the Wise Men in the Christmas Story
The story of the Wise Men is significant for several reasons:
It symbolizes faith and revelation.
The story of the Wise Men is a remarkable example of faith and revelation. They were not Jews, but they had learned about the prophecies of a Messiah who would be born in Israel. They saw a new star in the sky and understood it as a sign from God that the Messiah had come. They decided to follow the star, even though they did not know where it would lead them.
These men embarked on a long and perilous journey, crossing deserts and mountains and facing dangers and difficulties. They did not give up but persevered in their quest. Their journey was rewarded when they finally arrived in Bethlehem, where they found the child Jesus with His mother Mary. Eventually, they had a personal encounter with the Savior of the world, who had come for all people, not only for the Jews. They experienced the joy and peace that only God can give.
The Wise Men's journey teaches us many lessons about faith and revelation. It shows us that God reveals Himself to those who seek him with sincerity, determination, and openness. It shows us that faith requires trust and obedience, even when we do not understand everything or see the outcome.
It also shows us that faith is a journey, not a destination, and that we must follow God's guidance. It further shows us that faith is rewarded by God's presence and grace in our lives.
It symbolizes worship and sacrifice.
Even though the wise men did not know much about Jesus the newborn King, they believed that He was the one sent by God to save His people.
When they finally arrived in Bethlehem, they were overjoyed to see the child with His mother. They knelt and worshiped him, showing reverence and respect, and even presented Him with gifts. By giving these gifts, the Wise Men acknowledged that Jesus was the true King—the Son of God and the Savior who would die for the sins of the world.
The Wise Men's act of worship was more than a gesture of honor. It was also an act of sacrifice. They gave up their time, comfort, resources, and safety to seek and serve Jesus. They risked the wrath of King Herod, who wanted to kill Jesus. In doing so, they obeyed God rather than men and followed His guidance rather than their plans. The wise men demonstrated their love for God by giving Him their best.
We can learn from the example of the Wise Men. We can also worship and sacrifice for Jesus, who is worthy of all our praise and devotion. We can seek Him with all our hearts and follow Him wherever He leads us. We can offer Him our gifts and talents and use them for His glory. We can surrender our lives to Him, and trust Him with our future. We can worship and sacrifice for Jesus because He first loved us and gave Himself for us.
It symbolizes the Gentile recognition of Jesus.
King Herod secretly sent the Wise Men to Bethlehem, telling them to report back to him when they found the child so that he could also worship Him. But Herod had evil intentions; he wanted to kill the child who threatened his throne.
Despite the king's request, the wise men did not return to Herod but departed to their own country in another way after being warned by God in a dream.
The Wise Men's visit is a sign of God's universal love and salvation. It demonstrates that Jesus came not only for Jews, but for people of all nations, tribes, and languages. The Wise Men recognized Jesus as the genuine King and God, and they worshiped and prayed to Him. They also foretold the church's mission, which is to spread the good news of Jesus to all people and invite them to join God's family.
Prophecy Fulfillment
The wise men's visit represents the fulfillment of ancient prophecies that foretold how God would reveal His salvation to all nations through His chosen people.
The prophet Isaiah, who lived about 700 years before Christ, spoke of a time when the glory of the Lord would rise upon Israel and shine forth to the world. He said in Isaiah 60:3 "Nations will come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your dawn."
This implies that God's purpose for Israel was not to keep His blessings for themselves but to share them with other people. Israel was meant to be a light to the nations, a witness of God's grace and truth.
Therefore, the arrival of the Wise Men confirms that God's plan was being fulfilled in Jesus, who is the true Light of the World (John 8:12).
They brought Him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh, which signify His royalty, deity, and humanity. They acknowledged Him as the Messiah, the Son of God, and the Savior of the world.
The visit of the Wise Men also foreshadows the future expansion of God's kingdom to include people from every tribe, tongue, and nation (Revelation 7:9).
Jesus came not only for the Jews but for the Gentiles as well. He is the fulfillment of God's promise to Abraham; that through his offspring all nations would be blessed (Genesis 12:3). He is the one who breaks down the wall of hostility between Jews and Gentiles and creates one new humanity in himself (Ephesians 2:14-16).
The role of the Wise Men in the narrative inspires us to wonder at God's wisdom and sovereignty as He orchestrates history to achieve His goals. It also encourages us to respond to Jesus in the same way that they did: with faith and adoration.
And it motivates us to spread the good news of His redemption, as He instructed (Matthew 28:19-20). It represents faith, heavenly revelation, worship, sacrifice, and the fulfillment of prophecy. It reminds us that Jesus came to save all people and that we are called to give God our best.
Photo Credit: ©Unsplash/Robert Thiemann
