THE MAGI, THE WISE MEN … PEOPLE IN HEAVEN I REALLY
WANT TO SEE!
Magi, plural form, derived from Koine Greek (Biblical Greek). Magos, an Oriental scientist, a magician, a wise man
Today is Epiphany and
according to Merriam Webster’ Dictionary, an epiphany is “an illuminating
discovery.” I think these wise men had more than one of those! This last
Christmas I spent special time studying about them. Here’s what fascinates me.
They
knew from the beginning what their mission was. They were to look for the child
and worship Him.
“Now after Jesus was born in
Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the
east came to Jerusalem, saying, “Where is he who has been born
king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship
him.” Matthew 2: 1,2
They were open to the supernatural
manifestation of a star moving in the sky as a guide for them. They faithfully
followed it realizing there was something different about that star.
“And behold, the star that they had
seen when it rose went before them until it came to rest over the place where
the child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly
with great joy.” Matthew 2: 9, 10
They believed the warnings from a dream
about Herod having, “malas pulgas!”
Bad fleas … evil intentions. They obeyed the dream’s guidance and returned to
their own country by another way. These fellows were tuned in well to heavenly
guidance. They recognized the cellular buzzes with celestial connections!
“And being warned in a dream not to return to Herod,
they departed to their own country by another way.” Matthew 2: 12
They
were gift givers! Their mommas had taught them well. You don’t come visit
someone, let alone a King, while your arms hang loose by your long purple
robes. No siree! Those arms brought gifts and each with a meaning. Maybe more
of those special epiphanies slipped
into their minds with Spirit-led goals. It sure appears so, because of the symbolic meanings of their
gifts.
Gold – Symbolized royalty. The most
precious metal of that day. A providential help to support the holy family in
their flight to Egypt.
Frankincense
– A resin used ceremonially. The only incense permitted on God’s altar. It
represented deity.
Myrrh - A gum-like substance to embalm
the dead. Sometimes a drink given for pain. A foreshadowing of the Lord’s suffering and
death on the cross.
The Magi … Their Revelations … What
Illuminations.
YES! Give me some time with them at
their celestial abode. Here are some questions with anwers yours truly would
like to own.
So, how many of you were there? We know tradition speaks of three and this is
mostly attributed to the fact of the three gifts given, but nothing is recorded
in the Bible about how many actually came.
And, Wise Men, when was that moment when
you knew, without a shadow of a doubt that that baby was no ordinary baby? When
did you first believed?
And then … what happened to you, dear
men? How did your life change after that sacred encounter?
One last one for now. Oh Magi, did you
take special seminars on dream interpretation and star sightings? Would love to
sign up for one of those!
Yes, another
January 6th … going by soon.
And thus now,
for another year I close Matthew 2
and leave my ponderings till the next time I pin that old but special banner my
daughter and I made years ago to our mantle. The banner that says, “And Wise Men Still Seek Him.”
Studies, quotes
and information taken from the Strong’s
Exhaustive Concordance Of The Bible, by Riverside Books and Bible
House,
And from The English Standard Version, Study Bible, Crossway.
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