What’s the Deal with the Wise Men? by AChuckAllen
Every Christmas we listen to “We three kings of orient are, bearing gifts we traverse afar. Field and fountain, moor and mountain, following yonder star.”
But who were these guys, really?
They weren’t kings and there were probably more than three. We associate three men with the three gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. Matching up the song and the narrative that has passed from generation to generation, with the Scriptural account is a challenge. I’m planning on singing the song once again through this season, but it might be good to know a bit more about these guys.
I believe the Bible to be inerrant, but over the course of history, traditions and manger scenes have added to the biblical story. “After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem…”
They’ve been called magi, kings, and wise men. They were probably part of the King’s cabinet. They were assigned the task of studying the stars, and other duties on behalf of the King. We know these guys by the names, Melchior, Caspar, and Balthasar. But that too is tradition and possibly history, not a part of the Bible’s teaching.
In that day, Kings were in the habit of recruiting the best and sharpest minds into their cabinet. Magi were consulted in the Book of Daniel, and by Pharoah in the time of Joseph. The Greek word magi indicates these guys were astrologers and interpreters of dreams. Following a star wouldn’t have outside their kingly duties. But the fact that they went in search of the ancient prophecies is quite important.
The Gospel writer, Matthew never says that they followed a star. He says they saw a star, which history teaches is the Northern Star. These “wise men” were astrologers, and the star was an astronomical sign they saw that signified the prophecy of a Jewish king.
Gold, frankincense, and myrhh are illustrative gifts as a result of their value. They were associated with royalty and associated with diety. On the night of Jesus’ birth, a great and mysterious light appeared in the sky which became a bright and astonishing star. That star remained in the western heavens.
Impressed with the star’s brilliance, the “wise men” were reminded of the prophecies found in the ancient scrolls. As they tried to understand the meaning of the sacred writings, they determined to go in search of the Messiah.
So, while the song, tradition and the Bible offer us plenty of understanding and uncertainty, we know one thing for sure. We know that what the “wise men” were seeking was the birth of a King. They simply didn’t have the rest of the story, that we have today.
Friends, we know that the star still points to the King of Kings. As you sing that old carol of We Three Kings, remember that these men, along with the shepherds in the Fields of Bethlehem, were the original early adopters of the only faith that celebrates the birth of the Savior twice.
They must have truly been WISE MEN. How about you? As for me, I’m with them. I want to search for Him every morning of every day, knowing that He is easy to find, for He has never and will never will leave me or you.
The wise men were right. They sought after a King, but we now know that this King would reign forever, and ever. Enjoy His peace today.
As the carol sings in it’s final verse; Frankincense to offer have I, incense owns a deity nigh. Prayer and praising, all men raising. Worship him, God most high,
–AChuck
