As some wise men gazed into the night sky, they suddenly noticed a strange bright light on the western horizon. What did it mean? Had a great event taken place? They didn’t know that the light came from the angels who had appeared to the shepherds in Bethlehem.
The bright light gradually faded away until it looked like a new star in the heavens. The wise men thought of the prophecy that says, “‘A star will come from Jacob. A ruler will rise from Israel’” (Numbers 24:17, ICB). Could this star be a sign that the Messiah had come? They decided to follow it and see.
These wise men were philosophers |
who lived in a country far to the east. They had studied the things God had created in nature, and they had learned to love God. They had also studied the prophecies about the Messiah and believed that His coming was near. The Jews called these men heathen, but they were not idol worshipers. They were honest men who wanted to know the truth and to do the will of God.
As the wise men followed the star, it led them into Judea. But when they came near Jerusalem, the star grew so dim that they could not follow it. Thinking that the Jews could guide them to the Savior, the wise men went into Jerusalem and asked, “‘Where is the baby who was born to be the king of the |
Jews? We saw His star in the east. We came to worship Him.’
“When King Herod heard about this new king of the Jews, he was troubled. And all the people in Jerusalem were worried too. Herod called a meeting of all the leading priests and teachers of the law. He asked them where the Christ would be born. They answered, ‘In the town of Bethlehem in Judea’” (Matthew 2:2-5, ICB).
Herod sent the wise men to Bethlehem, saying, “‘Go and look carefully to find the child. When you find him, come tell me. Then I can go worship him too.’ |
“The wise men heard the king and then left. They saw the same star they had seen in the east. It went before them until it stopped above the place where the child was. When the wise men saw the star, they were filled with joy. They went to the house where the child was and saw him with his mother, Mary. They bowed down and worshiped the child. They opened their gifts they brought him. They gave him treasures of gold, frankincense, and myrrh” (Matthew 2:8-11, ICB).
The wise men gave Jesus the most precious things they had. We should follow their example and give to Jesus the best of all we have—of our time, money, and love. |
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