By David Faust
We call them Magi, but they weren’t magicians. We picture them riding camels, but the Bible doesn’t specify their mode of transportation. We don’t know how many Magi made the trip “from the east” (perhaps today’s Iraq or Iran), although it’s traditional to assume there were three of them because they brought three gifts. Scripture doesn’t mention their names, nor does it say they came to the manger; they arrived later when the child Jesus was residing in a house, not a stable.
We don’t know about these mysterious characters, but the Magi illustrate what it means to live by faith.
They Followed the Light to a New and Unfamiliar Place—What kind of star led the Magi “until it stopped over the place where the child was” (Matthew 2:9)? Since God created stars in the first place, it was no problem for him to provide a special heavenly light. The Magi called it “his star” (Matthew 2:2)—the Messiah’s star. Numbers 24:17 predicted, “A star will come out of Jacob; a scepter will rise out of Israel.” Jesus called himself “the bright Morning Star” (Revelation 22:16).
The Magi followed the light God provided, even when it led to unfamiliar places and encounters with dangerous people like King Herod. In a world darkened by sin and confusion, the written Word is a lamp for our feet. The living Word said, “I am the light of the world” (John 8:12) and he called us to be bright spots as well (Matthew 5:14). Instead of complaining about the darkness, are we willing to follow the light we have?
They Gave More Significant Gifts Than They Realized—Generosity is a natural response to God’s leading. The Magi came to worship, and worship includes giving. They “opened their treasures and presented him with gifts” (Matthew 2:11).
Are we willing to open our treasures to God? What kind of present can we give the omnipresent God? Talk about someone who’s hard to buy for! What can we give the Lord who already owns everything? The Magi did the best they could, offering gifts appropriate for the Messiah. Gold—a gift fit for a king. Frankincense—an aromatic resin used for medicinal purposes, which priests used in the tabernacle (Exodus 30:34-38). Myrrh—a spice used for burial, including the burial of Jesus himself (John 19:39).
God does more with our offerings than we realize. He “is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us” (Ephesians 3:20).
They Played a Role in a Divine Drama More Profound Than They Comprehended—These mysterious Magi probably didn’t realize they would go down in history and be forever associated with the Messiah’s arrival. God warned them to avoid King Herod, so “they returned to their country by another route” (Matthew 2:12), disappearing from the biblical record as abruptly as they first appeared.
But their story lives on. The Magi remind us to seek the Lord . . . follow the light . . . worship Christ . . . give our treasures. . . and reject the counsel of this world’s Herods. We all have our own parts to play in God’s redemptive story, if we are wise enough to follow.
Personal Challenge: How will you open your treasures to honor the Lord during this Christmas season? As an act of worship, make a faith-stretching year-end gift to a neighbor in need or a ministry or mission that is advancing the gospel of Christ.
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