Notice one of the events surrounding the birth of Jesus. The Magi (wise men) from the East visited. They may have come from Media, Persia, Arabia, Chaldea or some Far East country. Daniel was made president of this order in Babylon (Daniel 2:48), and they are first mentioned in Jeremiah 39:13. They could have known of the coming of the Messiah from Jews living in their country. Even the Chinese sage Confucius (551-479) foretold a coming teacher in the west. Furthermore, Zoroaster, founder of the Persian religion, was contemporary with Abraham, and he predicted the coming of a great, supernaturally begotten prophet. The Septuagint was translated in Alexandria, Egypt in the in the year 280 B.C. into the Greek language; this was the universal language of the day. Therefore, it also could have contributed knowledge about a coming Messiah.
In addition, the star that led the wise men was not a regular one. How interested are you in Christ? Notice the interest displayed by these wise men. They were interested enough to search for the Christ.
We must search for the Christ, too. “Philip found Nathaniel and said to him, ‘We have found Him of whom Moses in the law, and also the prophets, wrote – Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph’” (John 1:45). Anyone can discern the Christ. “If anyone wills to do His will, he shall know concerning the doctrine, Whether it is from God or whether I speak on My own authority” (John 7:17). “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. ‘For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened’” (Matthew 7:7)
The Magi did not have to be begged, but they voluntary sought Christ. Likewise, we need to yearn for the Christ (Matthew 5:6; Acts 2:41). The wise men did not let someone do their searching for them. Herod, however, wanted them to do his searching. There are some things, though, that we must do for ourselves. We cannot borrow faith, and each of us must live a faithful Christian life (Galatians 6:2, 5).
The wise men were interested enough to follow the light God gave them. We, too, must use the divine light made available to us. “And we heard this voice which came from heaven when we were with Him on the holy mountain. And so we have the prophetic word confirmed, which you do well to heed as a light that shines in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts” (1 Peter 1:18-19). “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path” (Psalm 119:105). “But even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing, whose minds the god of this age has blinded, who do not believe, lest the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine on them” (2 Corinthians 4:3-4). “As His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue” (2 Peter 1:3).
The Magi listened to the voice of God rather than to the words of man. They disregarded the words of Herod who said, “Come back and tell us.” We also should listen to God rather than man (Acts 5:29).
In addition, the wise men were interested enough to pay the price to find the Christ. They left their homes and traveled a great distance to seek the Christ. Searching out and following Jesus Christ requires advanced planning. “For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not sit down first and count the cost, whether he has enough to finish it” (Luke 14:28). Then, they kept on until they found Jesus. Likewise, we must continue until we find the Christ. We should not be like the Galatians who did not complete their race. “You ran well, who hindered you from obeying the truth?” (Galatians 5:7). “But Jesus said to him, ’No one, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God’” (Luke 9:62).
The Magi were interested enough to worship Jesus and give gifts to Him. They acknowledged that Jesus was God (Matthew 4:4). Today, we must worship God, too (John 4:24). Worship involves giving of ourselves and what we have to the Lord.
In conclusion, how interested are you in Christ? Wise men (and women) still seek Him. “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding” (Proverbs 9:10).
