We talked about truth from the mouth of unbelievers (the wise men), and arrogance within the body of Christ (the Jews). Today, we pick up after Herod had talked to the wise men and gotten all the information out of them that he could, then requested that when they find Jesus, they inform him of where he is. I followed tradition by saying there were “three” wise men (assumed because of the three gifts), but the Bible actually never states how many there were, the exact place they were from, or their names. So if you ever hear mention of these things, they are tradition, but not found in the Bible.
9 After this interview (with Herod) the wise men went their way. And the star they had seen in the east guided them to Bethlehem. It went ahead of them and stopped over the place where the child was. 10 When they saw the star, they were filled with joy!
So, the star was still there (long after the day of Jesus birth), and my tree is still up, so that is confirmation I can continue with this story.
I found a little background on the wise men that I find interesting and want to pass along to you. The word Magi is a Latin form of the plural of the Greek word magos (μαγος pl. μαγοι), itself from Old Persian maguŝ. The term is a specific occupational title referring to the priestly caste of Zoroastrianism. As part of their religion, these priests paid particular attention to the stars, and gained an international reputation for astrology, which was at that time a highly regarded science. Their religious practices and use of astrological sciences caused derivatives of the term Magi to be applied to the occult in general and led to the English term magic. Translated in the King James Version as wise men, the same word is given as sorcerer and sorcery when describing "Elymas the sorcerer" in Acts 13:6-11, and Simon Magus, considered a heretic by the early Church, in Acts 8:9-13. Also, I find it interesting that the practice is condemned in the Bible, yet God brought these astrologers/sorcerers to see his son. And that they came to worship him and give him gifts!
After their meeting with Herod, the astrologers continued on to Bethlehem, with the star still leading their way, and then the star stopped over the place where Jesus was. The men were filled with joy, having now arrived at the home of this new baby king. And they were going to see him after all their months of studying and traveling. They entered a house and found Mary and Jesus there. Jesus could have been up to 2 years old when he was found by the Magi. Mary and Joseph were still in Bethlehem, for however long it was, and had not returned to Nazareth. When the men found him, it says they bowed down and worshipped him. These pagan men recognized that this baby was the rightful king of the Jews. They traveled countless days and nights, and forsook everything to come to find him. Eventually “every knee shall bow, every tongue shall confess, that Jesus Christ is Lord”.
11 They entered the house and saw the child with his mother, Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasure chests and gave him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
The astrologers brought with them treasure chests containing gifts for the baby. The three gifts they brought are significant. I’m not sure if they even realized that or not, but I believe in part they did. The gold signifies Jesus’ position as King. Frankincense is an incense that was burned by the priests in the temple, and signifies Jesus’ position as our High Priest. Myrrh was an ointment used medicinally for healing, and also was an embalming ointment used to anoint one’s body at death, a gift that would point to his sacrifice of death for us one day. I wonder if Mary kept that ointment all those years, and if that ointment was used on Jesus when he was taken down off the cross.
But what is significant is that they sought him, traveled to find him, inquired about him, searched diligently, and prepared a chest full of gifts for him, to be opened before him when they bowed and worshiped him.
What is our treasure chest? Our heart, of course. The Bible says wherever our treasure is, there our heart is also. When we truly see Jesus as our King, our Priest, and our Savior, the only response can be worship and giving ourselves, opening our chest and giving him our heart. Giving him all of us, our hopes, our fears, our dreams, our time, our talents, our finances, our very being.
I pray that today you will search your heart and think about the treasure you have hidden there. Then ask yourself, is this a treasure that I am not willing to give up for the one who gave up life for me? What is it that I hoard as more important than the ultimate treasure of Jesus himself? Do I recognize who he really is and have I come to the place I am willing to open up my treasure chest and give him the only gift I can give him – my life?
Teresa
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