Three Wise Men Worshiped and Presented Jesus with Gifts

Matthew 2:1-12

After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem (1) and asked,

‘Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.’ (2)

‘Magi’ is sometimes translated to ‘wise men’. They might likely be Babylonian astrologers. They knew things from studying the stars [3]. [1] reports regarding astrological tablets with formulas: when this or that occurs, a great king will arise in the west; then justice and righteousness, peace and joy will rule in all lands and bless all nations; and other similar expressions [2]. So, they were looking for this great king born in Israel and asked the authorities to find out where he was. This event reminds us Genesis 1:14.

And God said, ‘Let there be lights in the vault of the sky to separate the day from the night, and let them serve as signs to mark sacred times, and days and years,

Also, this event reminds us of the Gentile prophet Balaam’s prophecy written in Number 24:17.

‘I see him, but not now;

I behold him, but not near.

A star will come out of Jacob;

a sceptre will rise out of Israel.

He will crush the foreheads of Moab,

the skulls of all the people of Sheth.

They worshipped Jesus and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh (11).

This event teaches us that the wise Gentile had wisdom to seek and find the Messiah and faith to worship and present him with gifts. When Jesus was born, he was the Messiah not only foretold in the Old Testament but also recognised by the wise Gentile. Our saviour is born, hallelujah, merry Christmas!

References

[1] Rawlinson, H. C., The Cuneiform Inscriptions, 3, 51–64

[2] Lenski, R. C. H., The Interpretation of St. Matthew’s Gospel, Mt 2:2

[3] Stine, Philip C., Newman, Barclays M., A Handbook on the Gospel of Matthew, Mt 2:1