“Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you.” ― Matthew 7:7.
They’ve got a song. They’ve got a bumper sticker that is also an idiom. They’re always dressed like royalty with flowing robes and glistening crowns. They ride camels and have a fascination with the stars. Who are they? The wise men. Matthew is the only one of the gospel writers that write about them. Matthew 2:2 says, “Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We saw his star as it rose, and we have come to worship him.” They were true Jesus seekers.
The wise men came in search of a King greater than themselves. They were committed to seeking truth over a very long trip that scholars believe could be 600-900 miles. It was an expensive and difficult journey, but their desire to know was stronger than their desire for comfort. It makes you wonder what they were thinking when they met the young Messiah who was probably several years old by that time.
You also have to wonder what Joseph and Mary were thinking when some men from a distant land, got down on their knees in front of their child. They were obviously wealthy and learned men who traveled great distances to worship their son and give Him extravagant gifts. Perhaps nothing surprised Joseph and Mary at that point, but you have to think that they were still asking why? Their son would not ordinarily have received such gifts. The wise men knew this child was different. And they were right.
As His life plays out before us on the pages of Scripture, we marvel as He makes “…the blind see, the lame walk, those with leprosy are cured, the deaf hear…” (Matthew 11:5) Our breath is taken away when, with the words, “…the dead are raised to life, and the Good News is being preached to the poor.” (Matthew 11:5) Our heart breaks as nails are driven through His flesh for our sins. His resurrection secured our victory over death and “…raised us from the dead along with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ Jesus.” (Ephesians 2:6). It is no wonder that wise men past and present seek Him.
The wise man sought and found Jesus as a young child. When we seek Him today, we find Him today as the living Christ, clothed with glory and honor and seated at the right hand of His Father in heaven.
Discussion Questions:
- Does it surprise you the sacrifices the wise men made to see the child Jesus? What do you think motivated the wise men to journey so far from home and their refusal to be diverted from their mission?