What Will You Choose?

Matthew 2:1-12

The date January 6th is the day that a large part of the Church celebrates Epiphany, when the wise men, or “magi” came to Bethlehem offering gifts and worshipping the young child Jesus. The church’s celebration of this event in Scriptures highlights the fact that the door for salvation and acceptance into God’s family was opened to the Gentiles, as these magi who came and worshipped Jesus were Gentiles.

Who were these magi, or wise men?  The magi were groups of educated men, who particularly studied astronomy and astrology, dreams, and alchemy.  They believed that the layout of the stars and planets in the heavens could predict certain events on earth. They were probably from Persia, and followers of Zoroastrianism.  The magi had a very strong knowledge of the Hebrew Scriptures, as well as other sacred writings. Though many traditions hold that there were three of them, Matthew does not give a number.  The number three was only used because of the three gifts that were given.

Another important character in this narrative is King Herod.  This was Herod the Great, the first ruler of the Herodian dynasty.  He ruled Judea from 37 - 4 BC. He was an Idumean (Edomite), a descendant of Esau.  Herod was a very ruthless, cunning, and evil man, having ordered the executions of one of his several wives, and several of his sons, among many others.  The murder of the young boys of Bethlehem was just another of his long list of crimes.

As the magi studied the night sky, year in and year out, they noticed a new body in the sky.  Scholars and astronomers have pondered and debated over the years exactly what this was that led these magi to pack their bags and travel to the land of Israel.  Perhaps it was a conjunction of planets or a supernova, or perhaps it was a miraculous supernatural reality, similar to the Shekinah light of God in the Old Testament.  Whatever it was, the magi knew it was a fulfillment of the prophecy of Numbers 24:17, and that it heralded the birth of a great king and/or religious leader.

When the magi arrived in Jerusalem and started to inquire around as to the birth of a new king or leader, the news was quickly reported back to King Herod (vs. 1-3).  He was greatly disturbed by this news. In Herod’s mind this was a threat to his position. When he got disturbed, the rest of the city was on edge, as his murderous rages were well known and feared.  Herod summoned the chief priests and scribes to find out what these magi were talking about (vs. 4-6). The chief priests were the Temple hierarchy, and mostly Sadducees. The scribes were primarily Pharisees.  They knew where the Messiah was to be born, and told Herod and the magi that He was foretold to be born in Bethlehem (Micah 5:2) . However, they had no real faith, so they did not accompany the magi to seek the Messiah out and worship Him.

King Herod had a great many fears, one of which was losing his throne.  This gave him a fear of these Scriptures that foretold the coming of the Messiah. Instead of letting that fear draw him to God, he let it pull him away, deeper into darkness and sin.  Herod let his greed, power, and his fear, along with all of the evil behind it, draw him to seek to kill the young Jesus.  He tried to dupe the magi, asking them to report back to him the exact location of this newborn Messiah (vs. 8).

When the magi located the young child Jesus, His parents had moved into a house in Bethlehem (vs. 11).  They offered Him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Gold for a king. Frankincense for the Divine, as incense is used in worship.  Myrrh is used as an embalming ointment, which showed they knew He would be a sacrifice for sin. Besides the humble shepherds, these Gentiles were the first to worship the Messiah as both God and King.

The magi traveled many hundreds of miles to see the Messiah, and rejoiced with great joy when they found Him.  They came to seek and worship Him, not for what they could get, but for who He is. Everyone of us has a chance to turn to God and abandon their own way.  King Herod had a chance to come and worship Jesus, but refused, instead choosing to try and destroy Him. Which are we going to choose? Will we join the magi, and come and worship Jesus? Or will we choose to join Herod, refusing Jesus, fighting Jesus, and come to a destructive end? The choice is ours. Let’s join with the magi!