NEWS & THOUGHTS ARCHIVE

Wise Men

Evangelist Bob Sanders
January 1, 2008

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While Christmas may have passed, my heart remains drawn to the Wise Men. “Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him. When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy. And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh. And being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way.” Matthew 2:1-2, 10-12 

These men can not only teach us much about the true object of the Christmas season, but can reveal how to live after the birth of Jesus. While it may be picturesque to have the wise men gathered with the shepherds around the manger on the night of Jesus’ birth, they did not arrive until much later. They did not find our Lord wrapped in swaddling clothes lying in a manger, but in a house with Mary His mother (see Matthew 2:11). When you contrast their conversation with Herod, and Herod’s decree to slay the male children two years old and younger, it gives evidence that the wise men may not have arrived until Jesus was nearing the celebration of His second birthday. This being the case, these wise men can impart wisdom concerning our manner of living in the coming year. There are three things that speak to me concerning the conduct of these men.  

(I) Their Response to the Light – vs. 10

They rejoiced not in the darkness, but the light, “When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy” (Matthew 2:10). While the star in the sky was there for all to see, the wise men responded differently than other men. Verse 2 reveals their attention to the light, “we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.” When the wise men said that we have “seen”, it means to see by implying to know, to be aware, to perceive or understand. They did not turn from the light that was given them, rather they embraced the light. They acted in a manner contrary to the nature of other men. John said, “And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not” (John 1:5). The word “comprehended” means to take eagerly, to seize or possess. When Jesus, “the light of the world” (John 8:12), was born, men made no attempt to embrace Him. Isaiah and Matthew tell us that when Jesus was born that the people in darkness saw a great light (see Isaiah 9:2 & Matthew 4:16). The world was not ignorant of the light; they chose to ignore “the Light.” Verse 10 reveals the wise men’s attitude to the light, “When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy” (Matthew 2:10). “Rejoice” means to be cheerful especially a salutation on meeting. The phrase “exceeding great joy” means to be exceedingly joyful or filled with gladness. Listen to the words of Jesus recorded for us in John 3:19-21. “And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.” Unlike the world that delights not in the light nor desires the light, these wise men relish any chance to walk in the light. For He has given us this promise to all that desire to walk in the light; “But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin” (I John 1:7). As we approach the threshold of a new year, will we be found running toward or away from the light? 

(II) Their Response to the Lord – vs. 11

It was not the sight of the home or our Lord’s mother, but the Lord that generated a response in the wise men, “And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child.” There was the response of praise, “They . . . fell down, and worshipped him.” The word “worshipped” means to kiss or the act of a dog licking his master’s hand, to crouch or prostrate oneself in reverence or adoration. In the Lord Jesus they found one that was worthy of all their worship, praise and adoration. They would not render praise to man, but to the Master. There was the response of presents, “when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh.” What impresses me is not only the price of their giving, but the preparation of their giving. The word “treasures” denotes the idea of one’s deposit of wealth. They did not present to Him their leftovers! Secondly, their giving was not some sentimental gesture fueled by the heat of the moment! We have no idea how far they had come or how long they had been traveling. But, this we do know! They knew what they were going to give before they ever sought Him out. Many folks today, need to come to Christ, prepared to give Him their very best! 

(III) Their Response to the Leading – vs. 12

When reading Matthew 2, it requires very little enlightenment to see how the wise men were led to the child. There was the object of leading, “for we have seen his star” (Matthew 2:2). They were led by the light. This is a beautiful picture of the Saviour (see John 8:12), and the Scriptures (see Psalm 119:105). There is one important truth projected by the search of the wise men for the child; they never out ran the light. The star brought them to Jerusalem. There they did not continue wondering aimlessly about the countryside, but they sought council from those that should know. Herod gathered the chief priests and scribes, who turned to the Scriptures (see verse 5). While they were given information as to where the child was to be born, the wise men continued to follow the light, “the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was” (vs. 9). There was the obedience of leading, “And being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way” (vs. 12). Herod said for them to bring him word. God said to leave another way. When I think of their response, I am reminded of the words of the disciples when they were brought before the council and reprimanded for preaching Christ. “We ought to obey God rather than men.” Acts 5:29 The actions of the wise men are a rebuke to the lives of most folks that call themselves Christians. They would neither ignore nor disobey the leading the true light! 

As we approach the threshold of the new year, will it be one in which we have the right response to the light, the Lord, and the leading. There is much that we can learn from these men. 

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