Almost everyone who has ever seen a nativity scene or watched a Christmas program would tell you there are three wise men. However, the text in Matthew never tells us how many Magi there were. I guess because the text mentions three gifts, we assume there were three men. Also, this was probably about 2 years after the birth. He was no longer in a stable but in a home. So, our depiction of the three wise men coming to the stable is off by about 2 years.
Matthew 2:11 “And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh.”
Some may wonder why wise men are included in the nativity. In Isaiah 11:10, God promises Israel that their restoration and redemption after the exile would be accompanied by an influx of Gentile nations into the covenant community. I think it is interesting that the very first Gentiles in scripture to seek out Jesus was the men whom we call “wise men!” The wisest decision you will ever make is to seek Jesus.
Isaiah 11:10 “And in that day there shall be a root of Jesse, which shall stand for an ensign of the people; to it shall the Gentiles seek: and his rest shall be glorious.”
Who are these “wise men?” In Matthew 2:1 we are told they are men from the east. Babylon is the likeliest option since contact it had a large Jewish community. This would have prompted the Magi to come looking for a king in Jerusalem. However, they could have been from any of the eastern countries east of Judea, Persia, or even Arabia. Magi were a group of men interested in predicting the future, usually from a dream interpretation or possibly astrology which would explain their interest in the star. They were educated in religion and science. Historians tell us they were held in high esteem by the Persian court, were admitted as counselors, and followed the camps in war to give advice.
Matthew 2:1-2 “Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.”
Herod heard of these things and was troubled. In his mind, his rule over the people was threatened. He had gained control of the throne through crimes and feared losing his reign. He had also heard the prophies of the coming Messiah. He inquires of the men where the Christ child should be born, and they referred him back to the writings by the prophets in the scriptures.
Matthew 2:3-5 “When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he demanded of them where Christ should be born. And they said unto him, In Bethlehem of Judaea: for thus it is written by the prophet,”
Herod wanted the Wise Men to find the child and bring him a report as to where the child lived. His excuse, was so he could worship him. The truth, so he could have him killed!
Matthew 2:8 “And he sent them to Bethlehem, and said, Go and search diligently for the young child; and when ye have found him, bring me word again, that I may come and worship him also.”
Matthew 2:12-13 “And being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way. And when they were departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I bring thee word: for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him.”
After being warned in a dream that Herod was seeking to kill the child, they chose to go another route to their own home. They had received the young child as a young king and bowed to worship him and give him gifts. They truly were wise men! First, they sought Jesus, and second, they would not allow themselves to be used by this wicked man Herod.
Matthew 2:14-16 “When he arose, he took the young child and his mother by night, and departed into Egypt: And was there until the death of Herod: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Out of Egypt have I called my son. Then Herod, when he saw that he was mocked of the wise men, was exceeding wroth, and sent forth, and slew all the children that were in Bethlehem, and in all the coasts thereof, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had diligently enquired of the wise men.”
Are you a wise person? If the answer to this is yes, it will be revealed by the way you represent Jesus to a lost and dying world. It will show in the choices you make regarding your priorities in life. It will show in your consistencies in those choices. Others will notice a difference in you. When Christ truly reigns in your heart, it will control every area of your life. Think about these things and then answer. Are you wise?
