Wise Men Still Seek Him
Wise Men Still Seek Him
I love the story of the Wise Men who came from the east (Persia?) to see the One who was born King of the Jews (Matt. 2:2). Plays, pageants, and movies, and book portray three wise men coming to visit the One who was born King of he Jews. Three wise men. Until recently, that is. Where did they get three wise men? It is really very simple. There were three gifts: gold, frankincense, and myrrh (Matt 2:11, HCSB) Three gifts? Three wise men, one to carry each gift.
The simple fact is, prominent men would not have traveled a great distance in that day without all the comfort and security possible, which usually meant a caravan. Abraham traveled with a large number of servants who were trained for combat. Would these wise men have been less careful? So, when someone decided to add a fourth wise man to include a black person, they just - added him. Since there are more Hispanics than Blacks in America, should we add a fifth wise man?
I grew up in the Mississippi Delta where some of good friends were Chinese, Italian, Black, and a grandfather who showed that he was part Native American. Some f my good friends at Mississippi College were Arab Christians. So, what?s the point? If I had taken any of these friends to the temple complex in the time of Jesus? birth, I would have seen the warning that if any Gentile passed a certain point he would be stoned to death! That means me. And you, unless you are a faithful Jew.
What does that have to do with the wise men who followed the star to Bethlehem to see Jesus? They were welcomed at the home of Mary, Joseph, and Jesus, but they would not have been welcomed by the religious leaders at the temple.
Wise men, and women, from all races come to Jesus, and they are welcome. There is more. The wise men asked: ? Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we saw His star in the east and have come to worship Him.? (Matt 2:2, HCSB) My good friend, Dr. Bill Cooper, wrote in one of his Authenticity volumes that it is possible that these wise men may well have read Daniel?s prophecy in their royal library and they realized that it was time for the birth of the King of the Jews. The Roman historian Tacitus wrote about a such a prophecy, but said the Jews thought it pointed to a king of the Jews, but in reality it pointed to a Roman emperor. Of course, we know he was wrong. It gets better: wise men (and women) are still coming to Jesus, the Prophet, Priest, and King of whom we read in the amazing prophecy of Zechariah. See John 3:23.
Dr. Johnny L. Sanders