When considering the story of the birth of Jesus, my mind turned to the account of the Magi. After rereading the account of the birth of Jesus, I decided to dig a little deeper and find out more about these Magi. Tradition tells us that there were three Magi who came to find the baby Jesus, but the Bible doesn’t specifically state how many there were. It could have been any number of men. Some scholars feel that it could have even been up to 200 people that were apart of this group of travelers. As the years passed, the traditions became increasingly embellished. By the 3rd century, they were viewed as kings. By the 6th century they had names: Bithisarea, Melichior, and Gathaspa. A 14th century Armenian tradition identifies them as Balthasar, King of Arabia; Melchior, King of Persia; and Gasper, King of India.
According to scholars, the ancient Magi, were priests of the Medes, and held extraordinary religious knowledge. Darius the Great established them over the state religion of Persia during his reign. At that time, Daniel, was given the title of Rab-mag, (Daniel 5:11) which means the Chief of the Magi. Shortly after this time, the Magi composed the upper house of the Council of the Megistanes, whose duties included the absolute choice and election of the king of the realm. It was therefore, a group of Persian ‘king-makers’, that possibly entered Jerusalem at this point of Herod’s reign.
What about this star? Apparently it wasn’t there before, for these men were also astrologers and they studied the stars. The astrologers of their times, were not like the astrologers that we know today, who write horoscopes and tell fortunes. These astrologers were the closest things the East had to scientists.
It is possible, that when the Magi arrived in Jerusalem, the star might have disappeared. The star led them to Jerusalem, and after speaking with Herod, it came again to lead them to the baby. Also, it is possible that neither Herod nor his wise men could see the star, because of the questions they asked the Magi. They asked them, when did you first see this star?
These Magi could have been traveling in force with all imaginable pomp and accompanied by a cavalry escort to ensure their safe trip into Roman territory, which certainly would have alarmed Herod and the populace of Jerusalem. Years before this time, Herod had secured from Augustus Caesar the title of “King of the Jews”. Their request of Herod regarding the one who “has been born, King of the Jews”, was an insult to him, a non-Jew who had bribed his way into that office. No one knows for certain who these Magi really were, but whomever they really were, they were important enough to get an immediate audience with King Herod.
How did they know they had the right place? When they left Jerusalem, the star preceded them, moving until it came above where the young child was. Notice it says, young child. Tradition shows the wise men arriving when the child was still in the manger, but the word used here, is the word commonly used for a toddler. They found the family in a house, not in a stable as well. Also, the fact that Herod had all male children 2 years of age and under killed after this event has been taken as evidence as well that the arrival of the Magi, and their description of when the star appeared, that the birth was about 2 years prior to their visit.
Imagine the faces of Jesus’ parents, when these men knocked at their door, claiming to have traveled far to come worship their son!
What about these gifts? Well, the gifts were of Gold, Frankincense and Myrrh. Gold was given because He, Jesus, was a king; Frankincense, a spice used in priestly duties, because He, Jesus was God; and Myrrh, which is a burial spice, because He, Jesus, was to die for our sins. These gifts most likely was God’s provision to the family, for their trip to Egypt. The gold would have financed their way to Egypt, while the Frankincense and Myrrh, could be sold in Egypt for top dollar.
When the Magi left, the angel came to warn them. A message from God, saying not only did they find the right place, but that they needed to return a different way because of what Herod was going to do.
On the return trip, wouldn’t it have been a treat to hear what they had to say. Imagine their excitement! They had met and worshipped the Son of God, face to face!
Consider what it must have cost them to travel, both financially and with their time. They traveled at great costs and risk to worship Jesus.
We need to have the faith of these men to follow the star, to the throne of the King and then to take our experience with meeting Jesus to all those who will hear.
During this years holiday season, there is one question more.
Are we willing to make the effort to find, worship, and serve this great King?