The Magi

Here is what I've written for our small men's group to ponder, maybe there is something here for you. 

For December 24^th, lets please take a look at Matthew Chapter 2.

Where do you see yourself in this passage?

Herod? The priest and scribes? The magi? (Wise men – “magoi” is the word used in Greek – it is plural).

I imagine that I’ve played each part in my life, let me rephrase that, I know that I have played each part in my life. What about you?

The important thing is where we are today…isn’t it?

Some observations and questions:

It is likely that when Matthew wrote his Gospel that his immediate audience was the Jewish people. Throughout his Gospel, including in this chapter, Matthew appeals again and again to the prophets of ancient Israel. While the other three Gospel writers also work with the prophets, this is a primary focus for Matthew – more so than Mark, Luke, and John.

This being the case, Matthew is somewhat “in your face” by bringing Gentiles (the magi) into the story at the beginning. This reminds me of when Jesus spoke in His hometown of Nazareth (Luke 4:14 – 30) and His hometown folks wanted to kill Him because He spoke about God’s grace to two Gentile women. Furthermore, Luke also introduces a promise to Gentiles in Luke 2:32.

We don’t know how many magi there were, we may think there were three because they brought three gifts that were mentioned, but we don’t really know. In fact, there is a lot we don’t know about this chapter – but at the end of the day Matthew tells us what we need to know.

The magi were likely from Persia, and they were likely of a caste that studied the heavens and natural sciences. We see glimpses in the Old Testament of non-Hebrews with special knowledge of the true and living God: I am particularly thinking of Balaam in Numbers chapters 22 – 24 (fool though he was, and evil as he went), and of course Melchizedek in Genesis Chapter 14. My point here is that God seems to be always revealing Himself to the peoples of this world who are open to Him (Romans 2:12 – 16).

The magi were looking to the heavens with expectation and hope – they had some understanding of the birth of Messiah (“Messiah” is Hebrew, “Christ” is Greek). Psalm 19 is one of many places in the Bible that tells us that God reveals Himself in Creation – see also Romans 1:20 (most of us, including me, have lost our “sight” to discern God in Creation – at least in the manner Paul and David wrote of, and which the magi practiced).

The magi were willing to make a long journey – it may have taken around two years (Matthew 2:16) – the were willing to go on pilgrimage. Pilgrimage is an important Biblical concept – 1 Peter 1:1; 2:11; Hebrews 11:13; Genesis 47:9; Psalm 119:54.

Are you on pilgrimage? What does that mean? What does that look like? Just as a ship’s captain maintains a log, are you keeping a log of your pilgrimage?

Are we looking to the heavens, to God’s Word, to guide us in following Christ? What does that look like?

How is God molding you into the image of Jesus Christ as you are on pilgrimage?

We put our time and energy and money into the things that matter to us – what does that look like in our lives?

I guess the magi assumed that the people in Jerusalem would know about the birth of the King of the Jews. Here Matthew introduces two themes found in the Gospels – the antagonism between government and God’s Kingdom, and between “self-righteous religious leadership” and God’s Kingdom.  The magi went to the center of civil and religious power and didn’t find the Messiah…that is typically the case throughout history…and in current events. We ought to know better (James 2:1 – 7; 1 Corinthians 1:18 – 31). Pilgrims keep moving toward Christ and His Kingdom, they tend not to be seduced by earthly centers of power, wealth, and prestige – they learn to see them for what they are – things that are passing away.

Are we seduced by what the world considers power, prestige, religious knowledge; or are we following Christ?

During this Advent season I have been particularly struck by the magi’s reaction to finding Christ (Matthew 2:10). Matthew didn’t just write, “They rejoiced exceedingly.” He didn’t write, “They had great joy.” Instead he wrote:

ἰδόντες δὲ τὸν ἀστέρα ἐχάρησαν χαρὰν μεγάλην σφόδρα.

“When they saw the star, rejoiced joy great exceedingly.”

Or in good English, “When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy.”

Matthew is emphasizing the joy the magi experienced – it must have been overwhelming.  They were filled up with joy, they were overwhelmed with joy. Every fiber of their being was filled with joy.

Gold, frankincense, myrrh – worship is divine (gold) and fragrant (frankincense and myrrh).

Is there a Divine fragrance is my worship of Jesus Christ? Am I falling on my face before the Face of God in Jesus Christ?

What about you? What does your worship of Christ look like? What does it smell like?

Ted Williams used to ask young sluggers, “Can you smell it?” He didn’t explain what he meant; he simply asked the question. You either knew what he was talking about or you didn’t.

There are times when the bat hits the ball so hard that the wood of the bat gets so hot you can smell it – you have either had that experience and know that smell or you don’t.

What does our worship smell like? (Revelation 5:8; 8:3).

Just some closing observations:

Jerusalem is six miles from Bethlehem, yet the religious leaders didn’t even make the trip, just in case the magi knew what they were talking about. This is a characteristic of religious arrogance – “if it didn’t come from us it can’t be true.” This is a dumb jackass attitude – don’t you think?

People can know the Bible and be dead in their sins – the religious leaders exhibited this truth throughout the Gospels (a good example is John 8:31 – 59).

Herod – Governments, at the end of the day, will never tolerate the worship of anyone or anything but the State. (Psalm 2).

This is all about worship – this is all about who we give our hearts to, this is all about falling on our faces before the Living God, this is all about loving God with all our heart, our soul, our mind, and our strength.

This is all about giving Christ everything we have and everything we are. This is worship.

The Magi rejoiced with exceeding joy. We joy over the people and things that mean the most to us. Are we rejoicing over Jesus Christ? Are we falling down on our faces to worship Him?

What is in your wallet?  Who is in your heart?

What does the Incarnation look like in your life? Is Christ born in us as He is born in Bethlehem? Is the Incarnation continuing in us, and in our churches?

As St. Athanasius says, “He became like us so that we might become like Him.”

I love you!

Merry Christmas,

Bob