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Sunday, December 28, 2003
Alanib: The birthday of Christ and the visit of the Magi
By Tim R. Alanib
Ambrosia for the Young
Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem, saying, "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."
THE story of the Birth of Christ is one of the greatest stories ever told. In this way God showed His love for mankind (John 3:16). All have sinned (Romans 3:23), and only in Christ is there hope for salvation for He came to save His people from their sins (Matthew 1:21).
Some think the coming of the Magi from the East, speaks of the fact that the Gentiles, who are scattered all over the earth, were to be brought together in Christ. Christ's coming would bring all men to know about the true God, and by spreading of His Gospel, some from all peoples of the earth would come to Christ. Today there are Christians all over the world.
Here's the story of the birth of Christ and the Visit of the Magi.
Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem, saying, "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."
And when Herod the king heard it, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. And gathering together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he began to inquire of them where the Christ was to be born.
And they said to him, "In Bethlehem of Judea, for so it has been written by the prophet, 'And you, Land of Judah, are by no means least among the leaders of Judah; for out of you shall come forth a ruler, who will shepherd my people Israel.'"
Then Herod secretly called the magi, and ascertained from them the time the star appeared. And he sent them to Bethlehem, and said, "Go and make careful search for the child; and when you have found Him, report to me, that I too may come and worship Him."
And having heard the king, they went their way; and lo, the star, which they had seen in the east, went on before them, until it came and stood over where the Child was. And when they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. And they came into the house and saw the Child with Mary His mother; and they fell down and worshipped Him; and opening their treasures they presented to Him gifts of gold and frankincense and myrrh.
And having been warned by God in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed for their own country by another way. (Matthew 2:1-12)
* Who were the Magi?
The Scripture does not say that they were kings; that idea apparently started in the 2nd century.
Neither does it tell us that they were "wise men" or that there were three of them. Not until the 6th century did people begin to call them Belshesar, Melcora, and Casper. The Bible simply says that Magi came from the east seeking the One born king of the Jews.
Centuries before the New Testament was written, there was a priestly caste among the Medes and the Persians that was interested in interpreting dreams. These people were called Magi.
By the New Testament times the title had been extended to include people who were not only interested in dreams, but in astrology, magic, and books that told mysterious things about the future. This group included good magi, men interested in seeking truth, and charlatans, those who used these things to entertain people.
Some of these individuals undoubtedly came into contact with Jewish soothsayers, and prophets during the time of Israel's dispersion. We presume that from such contacts the Magi learned about the Jewish expectation of a Messiah. Perhaps they discovered the prophetic anticipations of a time of peace and prosperity. Maybe some heard of a king who would come from the line of David. Some of these magi associated this coming with some kind of heavenly phenomenon. And around the time of the birth of Christ some saw a new star appearing in the East. They concluded that this was the announcement of the coming King, so they went to Jerusalem.
What did the Magi do?
They paid homage to the newborn king. Matthew's record says of the Magi: "On coming to the house, they saw the Child with His mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshipped Him. Then they opened their treasures and presented Him with gifts of gold, and of incense, and myrrh."
Almost certainly they did not understand that this Child was God. It took time even for Mary to comprehend this. But they did understand one thing--this Child was a king. Their question to Herod had not been "where is he who is going to be king?" It was, "where is the one who has been born king?"
Matthew has a specific purpose for sharing the account of the Magi. He is writing primarily to a Jewish audience. Through this story he presents to them a picture of Gentiles bowing to Jesus at His birth.
This is Jesus' first contact with Gentiles, and they bow in submission to Him. The Great Commission is an inescapable element of the Christmas narrative. Matthew shows that Christ came to be a king to the Jews and to the Gentiles.
This explains one mysterious element of the Christmas story. Why did Matthew, with his knowledge of the Old Testament and its denouncement of astrology and such things, present the Magi in a favorable light? His purpose must have been to show his Jewish audience the universal extent of Messiah's redemption. Christ, Matthew seems to say, will minister even to astrologers and magicians if they will acknowledge Him and bow down to Him.
Email: ambrosia_tim@yahoo.com
(December 28, 2003 issue)
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