Today's Devotional Thought
December 09, 2009 by Wendy Foreman
The Wisemen
We’ve talked about how most everyone in the Christmas story is ordinary; in these verses we have the Magi or the Wise men. These were not just ordinary men. Not a whole lot is known about them. They were said to be men in high standing from Parthia which was near Ancient Babylon. I’ve often wondered how they knew what the star represented. As I researched it a bit, I discovered there are several ways they could have known what the star meant. They could have been Jews that stayed in Babylon after the exile and knew the Old Testament predictions of the Messiah’s coming. They could have been astrologers who studied ancient manuscripts from around the world. Finally, they could have had a special message from God directing them to the Messiah. Some scholars believe that each of the Wise men was from a different land, thus, representing the entire world bowing down to the Messiah.
These men from faraway lands went to Bethlehem and recognized Jesus as the Messiah. God’s chosen people, the Jews, struggled with recognizing him for who he really was. These men traveled thousands of miles to see Jesus. They saw him and worshipped him and presented him with gifts. They were filled with joy.
These men searched the Messiah out. They wanted to see him and worship him. I believe they knew that seeing him would change their lives forever. How about us? Did we or are we searching him out? Or are we expecting Him to find us and prove to us who he is? Finding Him will change our lives!! Search Him out today, He is waiting for you. Not as that little baby in Bethlehem, but as the risen Savior who has conquered sin and the grave.
December