On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped Him. Then they opened their treasures and presented Him with gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Matthew 2:11
The Wise Men are only mentioned in Matthew’s accounting of the birth story of Jesus. These ‘kings’ were astrologers, from the east, and could have numbered as many as twelve. The Bible doesn’t refer to these Magi as ‘wise’, we do. Why? Not because of what they knew, but what they sought. They were well studied in Jewish tradition and history so when a star appeared, they knew the time had come and began their epic journey to worship.
Their gifts are profound: Gold for a king, frankincense, an incense burned to worship a deity, and myrrh, an anointing oil for mortal man, one that would die.
These men knew what they were looking for and were not dissuaded by obstacles, other men’s power or opinion nor possibly their own doubt or discomfort. They persisted in their long sojourn to find the promised, prophesied King of Kings, Lord of Peace. May we be so diligent our search and determination to worship Him also.
Love,
Gretchen