It Starts Small

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Scripture Reading:

• Matthew 2:1-2
• Daniel 9:24-26
• Numbers 24:17

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2 After Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of King Herod, wise men from the east arrived in Jerusalem, ² saying, “Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star at its rising and have come to worship him.”

Matthew 2:1-2

Searching.

Some people spend their whole lives searching. They are searching for the perfect job, perfect life partner, perfect house, perfect car, perfect town, perfect friends, perfect church…

They search and search, yet often times discover that it is not easy to find what they are looking for. Sometimes, the searches take us far from home, across the country or even world. It takes us to new and unfamiliar territory.

The wisemen were in search of a king. Not just any king, but the King.

Who were these men who bravely travel from the East?

They are refered to often as a group of “wise men.” They were likely Persian or Babylonian (“the East”) priests. These priests were astrologers who devoted their time to interpreting signs and prophecies. What an “odd” group of people. I mean think about it. God using pagan astrologist and priests? Let us dive into the details!

600 years prior to this event, Daniel had great influence on the government of Babylon and Persia. I wished we had time to explore all of Daniel’s story, but I encourage you to study him! He actually taught the priests and “wise men” of his day, detailed prophecies of the coming King (Daniel 9:24-26). He taught them Hebrew scriptures and a large number of Jews actually maintained a presence in the area after their return from exile. It makes sense that these magi would look to the Scriptures for great signs and miracles.

What I find significant and fascinating is that for 600 years they kept looking! This was not a new fresh thing to them. For 6 centuries they looked for the sign the King was coming. A number of scholars believe the wisemen knew to look for the star because of the reference made in Numbers 24:17:

¹⁷ I see him, but not now;
I perceive him, but not near.
A star will come from Jacob,
and a scepter will arise from Israel.
He will smash the forehead of Moab
and strike down all the Shethites

Numbers 24:17

Did they believe the God of Abraham was the true God? It s very possible. Many events occurred during the time of Daniel. These events range from the great dreams of Nebuchadnezzar to the fiery furnace and the lion’s den. It is very likely that a pocket of Babylonian and Persian priests and scholars had been converted. They likely passed down this prophecy from generation to generation.

These wise men had devoted their lives to finding the King. Consider that these men, who knew to look for the star as a sign of the Messiah’s coming, were gentiles. Gentiles who had trusted the Word of God as truth. They trusted it so much. They left their homeland. They embarked on a long journey in search of the promised King and Messiah. They sought Him in faith and with all their hearts. When they found Him, they were filled with great joy at all His humble splendor.

Everyone’s journey is different. Sometimes the journey is smooth and stead with minimal traffic. Sometimes it’s rough, filled with speed bumps, detours, twists, and turns. Sadly, many people search their entre lives without finding the truth. But if their is one thing that we all have in common, it is that our journey will end. The big questions is where? For those who seek the King and find Him, find eternal life along the way. We should embrace the passion and enthusiasm as the wise men who fervently sought the King and offered Him the most precious gifts they had. You can offer the most precious thing you have – your life.

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