TUESDAY
One of the main themes in this story of the magi is the contrast between the magi and the leaders of Israel. The magi come from the east (presumably a far distance) to worship the Messiah. The leaders of Israel can’t be bothered to travel the five miles to Bethlehem to see him. The magi were looking for the signs of the Messiah. The leader of Israel, Herod specifically, didn’t even know where he was to be born. The magi worship. Herod feigns worship, and the scribes are indifferent. The magi bring gifts. Herod brings death.
Matthew 2:1-12 1 After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem 2 and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.” 3 When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him. 4 When he had called together all the people’s chief priests and teachers of the law, he asked them where the Messiah was to be born. 5 “In Bethlehem in Judea,” they replied, “for this is what the prophet has written: 6 “ ‘But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for out of you will come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel.’” 7 Then Herod called the Magi secretly and found out from them the exact time the star had appeared. 8 He sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search carefully for the child. As soon as you find him, report to me, so that I too may go and worship him.” 9 After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen when it rose went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. 10 When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. 11 On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. 12 And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route.
First, a little bit about these mysterious guys:
The term here translated “magi” can refer to a magician as it is used of the Jewish false prophet named Bar-Jesus or Elymas in Acts 13:6, 8. It could also simply refer to a wise man or a priest from Babylon or Persia who was an expert in interpreting the stars and dreams. They likely weren’t kings as the song goes, but worked for a king. They likely came from Persia or Babylon or somewhere in Arabia as the term magi was commonly used for wise men in those cultures (Dan. 2:2, 10).
Their job was likely to interpret the signs of the stars to predict the future or reveal something that has happened. They may have even practiced the type of astrology that Scripture forbids (Isa. 47:13-15: Jer. 10:1-2). It’s likely that they saw a sign in the stars, which was a miraculous work of God, and recognized it as a sign of new king. They have come, then, to offer gifts in recognition of this new king, which was a common practice when a new king was born.
We tend to assume that there were only three wise men because they brought three gifts. We aren’t told this so we don’t know for sure. It really doesn’t matter, but if you want to be “that guy” at Christmas, you can correct anyone who unknowingly suggests there were three kings.
We also have all seen the depictions of the magi at the stable to worship the newborn Jesus. However, it’s likely that they came up to two years after the birth of Jesus, as Herod inquires of when the star appeared and kills all the boys two years old and under (2:16). It’s likely that they were still in Bethlehem but had found a house to stay in and wean the child. Travel in the early years would have been incredibly dangerous, so they likely stayed in Bethlehem for a while. The scene with the magi at the manger is likely not how we should be picturing this event.
Let’s return now to Matthew’s theme of the varied responses to the birth of Jesus. Knowing even a little bit about these magi makes this contrast even more surprising. Matthew wrote his gospel primarily for a Jewish audience, so this scene was meant to startle them, wake them up and maybe even offend them. The people of Israel in this story are at best indifferent to the birth of the Messiah. At worst, Herod kills the boys under two years of age to oppose him. On the other hand, the magi, guys who are likely practicing astrology that Scripture prohibits, are looking for the signs of the times which Jesus condemns the leaders of Israel for not recognizing at his arrival. They travel a great distance at great cost and peril. They bring gifts, they bow, and worship.
In the same way, this should startle and unsettle us out of our complacency or maybe even our opposition to the King.
Modern day comps for this story are difficult and not 1:1 but this would be like an Imam from Iran recognizing the return of Jesus before Christians in the church recognize him. It would be like the this same Imam genuinely worshipping Jesus with gifts and sacrifice while the Christians in the churches are indifferent or even opposed to the worship of Jesus. The Christians find it too difficult to get out of bed or clear their schedule to worship with their church family on Sunday morning while this Imam travels from the other side of the world to worship. The Christians find giving to be difficult or even despise it while this Imam gives generously. The Christians are more concerned about their positions of power and influence in the culture while this Imam is only concerned about the worship of Jesus.
Reflection
With this modern comparison in mind, how does this scene make you feel? What is your reaction to Jesus? Is it more like the indifference and even opposition of Herod and the religious leaders? Or is it more like the worship of the magi?