The Magi

                Over the Christmas holiday, I read a novel about the Magi who journeyed to find Jesus.  The Three Kings have not been a focus of thought for me, until now.  In a far off country, they saw a star -one that had not been there before.  They knew of the prophecies that said that a star would announce the arrival of the Deliverer.

                They began a journey, not knowing their destination.  Their belief in prophecies and that God would send a savior was the basis for their trip.  What did their families or their friends think?  It was a costly and dangerous journey.  Were they perceived as going on an important trip, or were they considered fools – chasing after a light in the sky?  Were there some who did not want them to succeed? (As was the case in this novel.)

How much perseverance did it take to finish the journey?  A light in the sky guided them.  They imagined that they would find the Deliverer in a palace or place of power.  That is what drove them to Jerusalem to find this great King.  In the novel, they went to the temple to ask about where He was.  The temple leaders became frightened of such talk because of Herod. 

I continue to think, how frightened they may have been as they spoke to Herod.  He could just as easily have had they put to death as let them finish their journey.   (Of course, that was not God’s plan.)  Moreover, what must it have felt like to find the Deliverer as a small child?  How amazed were Joseph and Mary to find these strange men coming to see their child and then to worship Him?  They fell on their knees to honor the child and bringing valuable and strange gifts to the child.  These gifts were already pointing to the cross.

When the Magi returned to their homes, they must have been different.  Any conversion that brings one closer to God changes so much.  As they recounted the adventures of their journey, what did their wives, children, parents and friends think?  Did they believe that the Deliverer had come to earth, or were they simply relieved to have them home? 

Epiphany is our holiday.  That in which Gentiles were introduced to our Savior and King.  And my life experience mirrors that of the Magi.  They expected to return to Herod to let him know of the birth of Jesus, and yet once again their lives were sent in a different direction by the Spirit in a dream.  How many times do I think I know the direction of my life, only to find that perhaps God’s plans for me are not in “that direction, but over here”?

On this final day of Christmas (technically the 14^th day of Christmas, this year), I wonder how will I follow Jesus this year.  What difference will following His will make in my life this year?  I pray that I will have the perseverance of the Magi to believe and follow today and each day of my life.

The image is of Fra Angelico's painting of the Adoration of the Magi.