In the gospel accounts of the birth of Jesus, the Magi are something of a mystery.
The Bible says they came from the East, which could refer to a number of different cultures of the day. They were likely not Jewish, and since they followed a star to the Messiah, we can make a couple of other assumptions.
These men were astronomers of some sort and knew enough of the Old Testament prophets to recognize the sign in the sky.
Despite the Nativity scene, many Christians put out during Christmas, the Bible never says there were three. We also call them Wise Men, and they brought three gifts to the baby Jesus.
Their story contains some drama, as they went to King Herod first and were told in a dream about Herod’s plan to kill the child they were out to worship.
The amount of information may be limited, but we can still learn much from these Wise Men. Here are five heartwarming lessons from the Wise Men’s visit to Jesus.
1. Seeking Truth
The Wise Men, also known as the Three Kings or the Magi, were guided by a star to Bethlehem, where they sought to find and worship the newborn King of the Jews.
On their journey, the Wise Men encountered King Herod in Jerusalem, inquiring about the birthplace of the prophesied King. Herod, feeling threatened, sought to use the Wise Men as informants but concealed his malicious intentions.
However, the Wise Men remained steadfast in their quest for truth. They followed the guidance of the star, leading them to the humble abode where Jesus was likely a toddler.
The lesson from the Wise Men’s story is clear: seeking truth requires perseverance, discernment, and a commitment to follow the right path even in the face of potential obstacles or deception.
The Wise Men didn’t waver in their pursuit of the prophesied King, and they were rewarded with the fulfillment of their quest.
This narrative encourages believers to be vigilant in their spiritual journey, always seeking the truth found in God’s Word. It underscores the importance of discerning the genuine path amid distractions or deceptive influences.
Like the Wise Men, Christians are called to follow the guiding “star” of divine revelation and to remain resolute in their pursuit of the truth found in Jesus Christ.
The Wise Men’s story serves as a timeless reminder that seeking truth is an ongoing process, often requiring courage and persistence. It encourages believers to be discerning, to navigate through the complexities of life with a commitment to truth, and to ultimately find the fulfillment of their quest in the person of Jesus Christ.
2. Generosity
The Wise Men from the Bible impart a timeless lesson on generosity through their actions in the narrative of Jesus’ birth.
The lesson on generosity is vividly portrayed in the gifts they brought to honor the infant Jesus: gold, frankincense, and myrrh. These were not just ordinary offerings. Each gift held symbolic and valuable significance.
The Wise Men’s generosity extends beyond the material gifts, however. They exemplified a generous heart willing to give the best they had in adoration of the Messiah.
Their offerings were not only expressions of homage but also acts of generosity that reflected the depth of their reverence for the divine.
This narrative teaches a profound lesson on generosity, emphasizing that true generosity involves giving from the heart, offering one’s best, and acknowledging the worthiness of the recipient.
The Wise Men’s gifts were not mere tokens; they were sacrificial offerings, demonstrating a generosity that goes beyond the ordinary.
In the Christian tradition, the story of the Wise Men inspires believers to approach generosity with a similar spirit. It encourages giving not only material resources but also the best of one’s time, talents, and love in worship and service to God and others.
The lesson from the Wise Men resonates through the ages, challenging individuals to cultivate a spirit of generosity that reflects the love and devotion witnessed in the humble setting of Jesus' birth.
3. The Gospel for All People
The story of the Wise Men in the Bible profoundly teaches the inclusive message that Jesus is for all people, not just Jews. The Wise Men were non-Jewish scholars from the East. Many scholars believe they were Persian, although part of the Roman Empire at that time.
Their presence at the Nativity scene carries a powerful lesson of universal significance. In a society where cultural and religious divisions were deeply entrenched, the arrival of the Wise Men underscores the idea that Jesus’ birth transcends boundaries and is not exclusive to a particular ethnicity or religious background.
The Wise Men, though outsiders to the Jewish faith, recognized the divine significance of Jesus’ birth. Their pilgrimage to honor the newborn King reflects the inclusive nature of Jesus’ mission — a mission that extends to all people, regardless of their cultural or religious affiliations.
This narrative challenges any notion of exclusivity and reinforces the message that the salvation brought by Jesus is meant for everyone.
The Wise Men’s acknowledgment of Jesus as the King of all nations and their act of worship highlights the universal impact of Christ’s birth, emphasizing that salvation is open to people from every corner of the earth.
The lesson from the Wise Men encourages believers to embrace an inclusive perspective. It serves as a call to break down barriers, share the transformative message of Jesus’ love and salvation, and bring the gospel to every nation, ethnicity, and background.
4. Confirmation of God’s Word for Mary and Joseph
The visit of the Wise Men provides a powerful confirmation of God’s Word to Mary and Joseph in the narrative of Jesus’ birth.
For Mary and Joseph, who had received angelic messages regarding the extraordinary nature of Jesus’ birth, the arrival of the Wise Men served as a tangible affirmation of God’s promises.
The Wise Men’s journey, prompted by the appearance of a celestial sign, validated the divine origin of the child they cradled in their arms.
The Wise Men's recognition of Jesus as the prophesied Messiah and their homage through the presentation of precious gifts — gold, frankincense, and myrrh — echoed the angelic messages received by Mary and Joseph.
This convergence of events reinforced the heavenly proclamation surrounding Jesus’ birth and offered a profound confirmation of God’s fulfillment of His word, that all the nations and peoples of the world would be blessed. God’s covenant with Abraham also expressed the same promise.
The visit of the Wise Men brought a global dimension to the acknowledgment of Jesus as the King. It emphasized that God’s redemptive plan was not limited to a particular community or ethnicity but extended to all nations.
This expansion of the narrative, as witnessed through the Wise Men, added weight to the significance of Jesus’ birth and confirmed the universal impact of God's promise.
For Christians today, God will give confirmation of his Word, if we are watchful and waiting. Scholars believe the visit of the Wise Men took place when Jesus was around two years old, so Mary and Joseph had to wait sometime before this confirmation.
Christians must also be patient and wait for God to give confirmations and fulfill his promises in his time.
5. Symbolism of Gold, Frankincense, and Myrrh
The gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh presented by the Wise Men in the biblical account of Jesus' birth hold deep symbolic significance, reflecting both the earthly and spiritual aspects of the Messiah’s identity.
The gift of gold symbolizes kingship, wealth, and royalty. It acknowledges Jesus as a king, not in the earthly sense but as the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. Gold, a precious and valuable metal, underscores the regal nature of Jesus’ divine authority and sovereignty.
It anticipates the acknowledgment of Jesus as the long-awaited Messiah who would establish a kingdom that transcends earthly realms.
Frankincense, an aromatic resin used in Jewish worship and religious ceremonies, carries spiritual significance. It symbolizes the divine nature of Jesus, representing his role as the High Priest who would intercede between God and humanity.
The gift of frankincense foreshadows Jesus’ role in bridging the gap between heaven and earth, offering a fragrant aroma of righteousness and holiness in the divine plan of salvation.
Myrrh, a fragrant resin often used in burial rituals, carries a poignant symbolic message. While it may seem an unusual gift for a newborn, myrrh points to Jesus’ sacrificial mission and his eventual death. It prefigures the suffering and death that Jesus would endure for the redemption of humanity.
The inclusion of myrrh in the Wise Men’s gifts underscores the profound purpose of Jesus’ life, emphasizing his role as the Lamb of God who would take away the sins of the world. Myrrh was also used in the anointing oil of the Temple Jewish system.
Together, these gifts from the Wise Men constitute a rich tapestry of symbolism that affirms Jesus' identity as the divine King, High Priest, and sacrificial Savior.
The Wise Men, guided by divine revelation, unwittingly contributed to the unfolding narrative of Jesus’ redemptive mission through their symbolic offerings.
Christians must live their lives as a “living sacrifice,” also remembering Christ’s sacrifice and his role as Priest and King, a complete and holistic salvation from the Father through the Son.
Peace.
For further reading:
Who Were the Three Wise Men of the Christmas Story?
What Is the Significance of the Three Wise Men and Their Gifts?
Do We Know the Three Wise Men’s Names in the Bible?
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