Wise Men?

December 27, 2022 Monday Message:

Matthew 2:1-2 NLT: “Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the reign of King Herod. About that time some wise men, Magi, from eastern lands arrived in Jerusalem, asking, “Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We saw his star in the east, and we have come to worship him.”

Today is the third day of Christmas. When Jesus was born, the star rose in the east signifying the arrival of the promised Messiah. Wise men from the east began their journey when they first saw the star, but had to travel for quite some time. So they didn’t arrive until much later – as much as two years later! Suffice it to say that they didn’t visit a newborn in a manger! By that time, Jesus’ family would have been living elsewhere.

As a child, I participated in the Christmas pageant at church – and – believe it or not – the Christmas pageant at our school! Picture this: Jesus would be in the center in a manger, with Joseph on one side, Mary on the other, with three shepherds off to one side and three wise men on the opposite side. But friends, it didn’t really happen that way! The shepherds and wise men were never in the same room together! And were they wise? They could be astronomers, the Greek calls them Magi (magicians) and we sing “We Three Kings.” And the Bible never says there were only three of them, so a lot of detail is missing from this beautiful story, or confused by our tradition.

But the arrival of visitors from the east seeking the King of the Jews upset King Herod so much that he felt he had to defend his throne. And this is where it gets ugly – more tomorrow...

Merry Christmas!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus in the City Fellowship