Who were these Wise Men, wise guys, Magi, We Three Kings?
The Magi or The Wise men came to Jerusalem from the East, guided by a bright star, in search of the baby who inspired this celestial sign in the sky. What a sign! What a King! These Magi met with King Herod, who gave them directions to find the child and report back to him. “The Star” might have been a celestial event, it’s also possible its mention is part of a larger narrative device. Matthew’s author could also have been thinking of a line from the Book of Numbers: “A star will come out of Jacob: a scepter will rise out of Israel.” Numbers 24:17 This star is often thought to refer to the coming Messiah. It was probably this prophecy that convinced the Magi to travel to Israel in search of the baby Jesus. It does seem strange that God would use a sorcerer like Balaam to foretell the coming of the Messiah. But this also teaches us that God can use anything or anyone to accomplish his ultimate plans. By using the sorcerer, did not make sorcery acceptable, in fact, the Bible condemns it in several places (Exodus 22:18, 2 Chronicles 33:6, Revelation 18:23). Rather, God showed his ultimate sovereignty over good and evil. Isaiah 55:8 “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord.”
Clearly the visit of the Magi came to be seen as the fulfillment of Psalm 72 “The kings of Tarshish and of the isles shall bring presents: The kings of Sheba and Seba shall offer gifts,” reads the scripture. “Yea, all kings shall fall down before him: All nations shall serve him.” Matthew details specific gifts that shall be brought in Isaiah. “..All they from Sheba shall come: they shall bring gold and incense; and they shall shew forth the praises of the Lord.” The gifts of the Magi are as intriguing as the figures themselves. Not a lot is known of these Wise Men. We don’t know exactly where they came from or exactly how many there were. Tradition say they were men of high position from Parthia, near the sight of ancient Babylon. The Magi traveled thousands of miles to see the king of the Jews. The Magi, even though they bowed down before the baby Jesus, were not kings themselves, rather, interpreters to the kings, perhaps, even astrologers and scientists because they were summoned to the king’s chambers. The Gospel of Matthew says: “Then Herod called the Magi secretly and found out from them the exact time the star had appeared. He sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and make a careful search for the child. As soon as you find him, report to me, so that I too may go and worship him.” Matthew 2:7-8 Herod was lying though. He did not wish to worship the child, rather, Herod wished to kill the Christ child. The Magi brought expensive gifts to honor the baby Jesus and worship him. The Magi gave these gifts because they were worthy presents for a future king. Gold was a gift fit for a king; incense, a gift for deity; myrrh, a spice for a person who was going to die. Think about it. These gifts might have been provided for financial resources for the trip to Egypt and back. The Magi brought these gifts to honor Jesus for who he was—these gifts were from the heart and genuine sacrifices and befitting a King. 2 Corinthians 9:6-7 “Remember this; Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.” This is the essence of true worship—honoring Christ for who he is and being willing to give him what is valuable to them. After the Magi visited and worshipped Jesus, the Magi were warned by God in a dream not to return through Jerusalem as they had intended, so they went another direction. If you read on in Matthew you will find that King Herod did not get the baby Jesus. A human plot could not stop a divine plan, or, a Divine Man!
So who were these Wise men that traveled from the east guided by a bright star in search of the Christ child? Indeed? It is not crystal clear. However, the names Gasper, Balthasar and Melchior have long been associated with the Wise Men, and can be seen above images of the Magi in a mosaic found in a church of Sant’ Apollinare Nuovo in Ravenna, Italy. The mosaic is documented to have been completed in A.D. 526, BUT, these names do not appear anywhere in Scripture, nor does the Bible insist that there were only three Wise Men. And contrary to the popular hymn, “We three Kings” were likely were not royalty. Perhaps, they were astronomers, seeking meaning in the heavens—and they got it through a shining star that led them to a manger and a King. There will likely never be a definitive answer to the bright Star of Bethlehem. Nor is one needed for those who still see it shine. Oh, I beg your pardon, I meant to say who see: “Him shine.”
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