The Joy Of Finding Christ

 WISE MEN: THE JOY OF FINDING CHRIST

Read Matthew 2.1-12

Have you ever been really excited about something? Maybe you landed tickets to see your favorite band, or your sports team made it to the championship. The wise men we meet in our reading today are excited, too, because they know something big and important has happened: Jesus has been born! But the birth of Christ is better than any other earthly thing. Through the story of the wise men, we learn that finding Christ brings overwhelming joy, for He is more valuable than anything else this world has to offer.

Meet the Wise Men

The wise men are typically included in most every depiction of Jesus's birth. But while the nativity scenes you see on coffee tables and in people's yards will most often feature three wise men, the Bible doesn't actually tell us how many there were. In fact, the Bible tells us very little about these men at all.

When we meet them in Matthew's Gospel, we do know that they are not Jewish; they are from another country to the east of Jerusalem (Matthew 2.1). This is incredibly important as it reveals their excitement about and commitment to finding Jesus, they are willing to travel a really long way to find Him. And even more so, it reveals that the news of Jesus is for all people. God reveals the coming of His Son to the people of Israel, the shepherds and the Jewish people of Bethlehem, but He also reveals Jesus to these non-Jewish wise men.

We also know that they are likely very wealthy and influential, and some commentators have even speculated that they are kings. The Bible doesn't say that, but it does call them "magi" or "wise men," which is a title of honor and importance (Matthew 2.1). We see that they give Jesus gold, frankincense, and myrrh - very precious and expensive gifts (Matthew 2.11). We also know they are wealthy and important because King Herod, the king of the Jews during the time Jesus was born-hears of their arrival and invites them to come speak with him (Matthew 2.3, 7).

Finally, we know that these men are students of the stars (Matthew 2:2). This means that they are like modern-day scientists and scholars. They are intelligent, studious, and full of wisdom. Through their studies, they encounter a rising star and know whether through God's revelation to them or through their own knowledge of the Old Testament Scriptures (Numbers 24.15-19), that this star signifies the birth of the Jewish Messiah. This explains their arrival in Jerusalem, as it is the royal city of the Israelites, where kings live and reign.

The Trust of the Wise Men

At this point in history, the wise men have no reason to trust God because they aren't Jewish. The Messiah was thought to be the King of Israel only. It wouldn't be until after Jesus's death, resurrection, and ascension that it would become entirely clear that He is the Savior of all humanity, when the Holy Spirit would fall on Jews and non-Jews alike (Acts 10). Indeed, the wise men themselves refer to Jesus not as their king but as the “king of the Jews" (Matthew 2.2).

But these men come to worship Him anyway. They recognize His power and majesty. He has control of the stars, which means He is incredibly special, and they know He deserves their worship. As we read this part of the story, we shouldn't be surprised because Scripture tells us that the skies and all creation declare God's glory (Psalm 19.1). When the wise men see the star, they can't help but recognize God's glory and go searching for His Son.

At the end of their long journey, the star leads these men directly to Jesus. Immediately, they're “overwhelmed with joy" (Matthew 2:10). They see Him, and they fall to their knees in excitement and worship, lavishing Him with expensive, precious gifts-gifts fit only for a king (Matthew 2.11).

What Does This Mean for Me?

Later, in the book of Matthew, Jesus tells this short story,

"The kingdom of heaven is like treasure, buried in a field, that a man found and reburied. Then in his joy he goes and sells everything he has and buys that field" (Matthew 13.44). 

This parable summarizes the message of the wise men's story. Knowing Jesus and putting our trust in Him is far more valuable than anything else the world has to offer, so much so that when we truly encounter Him, like the wise men, we can't help but be overwhelmed with joy.

God was faithful to the wise men, and He will be faithful to you, too. If you haven't yet experienced the excitement and joy that come from knowing Christ, He invites you now to know Him, just as He did the wise men. We encourage you to spend time reading the Gospels and getting to know your Saviour. You can ask Him to help you see more of His character and His beauty. In doing so, you, like the wise men and the man in the parable, will see God's glory revealed through Jesus. You will be compelled to worship Him and give Him your everything, including your trust, for indeed, He is truly more valuable than anything else this world has to offer.

Application Questions

What is the most surprising thing you learned about the wise men in today's reading?

What about Jesus and the gospel makes you the most excited?

Pray and ask God to reveal more about Jesus to you so that you, too, can be overwhelmed with the joy that only comes from knowing Him.