Wise Ways Of Wise Men

The Magi Show A Spiritual Precedent

Given the circumstances their actions were expected. Respect should be given to the newborn King of the Jews. However, probably without knowing, the Wise Men also set a spiritual example for all to follow.

Holy Bible scholars who know some of the historical background of when Christ (Messiah) was born say that much of the world had some knowledge that Messiah would somehow appear in their time. That insight was based upon Daniel 9:25, “So you are to know and discern that from the issuing of a decree to restore and rebuild Jerusalem until Messiah the Prince there will be seven weeks and sixty-two weeks.” “Weeks” is basically {1} a set of seven days or years, and given the historical facts it was years. So 483 years were to elapse from the decree to rebuild the Temple to when Messiah would appear. 

Many at the time of the birth of Jesus were expecting Messiah to somehow fulfill Daniel 2:44-45 and other similar prophecies. While those prophecies are to be fulfilled, what many missed was the ancient fact that Messiah would come first as Savior, to save people from their sin and sin nature and fill them with His life (See Matthew 1:21), that they would be readied to be part of that Kingdom. So His first coming, as Savior was to prepare a people for His second coming when He returns as King.

Wise men from the East felt impelled to find the King of the Jews upon the appearance of a certain star which, to them, indicated the birth of that King. The fact these men may have arrived in Israel around two years after the birth of Christ might indicate a parallel to our time as many now expect the return of Messiah around 2,000 years after His ascension.

We are to keep in mind Israel was re-established as a country in 1948. That, and the United Nations make Joel 3 and other prophetic passages capable of being literally fulfilled. 

So, we too are to be aware that Messiah comes, and we are to be spiritually ready. While Matthew 2 describes a respectful visit by wise men to Jesus, there are many spiritual principles for us to follow. Consider the Magi’s question as recorded in Matthew 2:2 when they arrived at Jerusalem: “Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we saw His star in the east and have come to worship Him.” From this we will see three basic spiritual principles we are to follow if we want to be part of God’s coming Kingdom on earth.

I. Look

“Where is He who has been born King of the Jews?”

Verses 9 and 10 infer that the Wise Men had lost sight of the star, probably because of weather conditions. This is probably partly why we see they first come to Jerusalem (Matthew 2:1), the true capital of Israel. Logically that would be the place to find a baby Jewish king. But quite often human logic is not the wisdom of God. By parallel, too often people look for Truth in the world, in worldly religions, in worldly churches.

The adult Jesus would later say He is the Truth, as well as the Way and Life. And a little later the Holy Spirit through a human author would later write (Hebrews 12:1-2), “Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”

Those who have not made true peace with God, especially in regard to their sins and sin nature ought to look to the Son He has given that will make us His sons if we truly commit to Him. Once we do, as Hebrews 12:1-2 and other verses point out we need to keep looking to Him. Though He is already inside of the true disciple, we should always want more of Him and less of us. Additionally, true disciples expect His return and, as a result, purify themselves 1 John 3:1-3 out of love.

II. Leave

“For we saw His star in the east and have come . . .”

Their leaving the East is very reminiscent of Abram (Abraham) leaving Ur. Devotionally this all speaks to the point that if one is really going to follow Christ then they must spiritually leave the world system. Worldly thinking will abate over time. Some examples of worldly thinking (thinking opposed to the truth of the Word of God) include that evolution is true, and the ideas like all religions are equal and all religions lead to God. Worldly ways will be eliminated, like gaining material goods, prestige, or power.

Those that actually want God’s salvation must be willing to spiritually leave the world. In doing so this will mean aligning our soul (the place of our affections), mind, strength, and every part of our being with the will of God. For most that come to Christ, much aligns with the will of God when we truly surrender to Him. However, there is always room to grow, and the closer we walk with God the more light we will have. We will see things unseen to us before that we will want to purge ourselves from.

In leaving the world we are to put God’s interests first, not ours, and not the interests of others. We are to eliminate from our life anything of the world, anything of friends and family that would have us not follow God, and anything that would have us to compromise our relationship with God. Leaving the world spiritually in our soul, mind, and every part of our being will often mean dieing to self.

In dieing to self through Christ we live unto God. We are to spend focused time with Him in private worship, prayer, study of the written Word and more. But a true relationship with God through Christ does not stay only private, but is also public. When possible {2} attend meetings of the true Body of Christ. Seek His direction as how to personally serve Him. Perhaps He would have you visit the sick, pass out Gospel tracts, or serve in other ways.

Fundamentally, though, we are to spiritually leave the world by getting into, and staying in, the blessed presence of God. While God is present everywhere, there are levels and aspects of His presence that we may experience. Precious is close fellowship with Him. Precious is speaking with Him, and though we should have focused times of that, we should be communicating with Him all of the time.

It remains unsure if the Magi came from Arabia or the areas of what is now referred to as Iran or Iraq. When the Word mentions Wise Men “from the East" let us not think it was just a few days journey. These men traveled hundreds of kilometers / miles and their journey may have taken months. The point is that in coming to Christ they inconvenienced themselves. We might find numerous situations where it seems inconvenient for us to spiritually leave the world to come and stay with Christ, but as we do so, if our heart is right with God we will very well know that it is worth it.

III. Love

“. . . to worship Him.”

It is true that the Greek word translated here as “worship” could mean in this context simply to show respect by bowing down. In all probability the Wise Men did not consider Jesus to be God in the flesh. They revered Jesus as Messiah, not knowing the Old Testament Scriptures that would point to Messiah’s divinity. However, for our benefit it must be pointed out that it is the same Greek word used in Revelation 19:10 and 22:9 when the Apostle John fell in reverence before an angel and the angel told him to only worship God. And the New Testament shows Jesus bowed to no one and every time someone bowed before Him He never rejected it.

We know from the Holy Scriptures that Christ is God veiled in flesh for salvation and therefore He should receive our worship. True worship of Him is grounded in true respect for Him. If we are truly redeemed then our worship will be expressed in part as submission to Him.

Again, this begins, and continues, privately. If one is really alive in Christ it does not stay only private. It is shown publicly, and its private practice and public manifestation increases over time. Worship of God through Christ ought to be continuous. It is written in Psalm 34:1, “I will bless YHVH (The Existing One) at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth.”

The Wise Men were probably knowledgeable about a number of things, including celestial activities. Though they were not knowledgeable about the deeper things of Messiah, their actions lay a groundwork for any who truly want to come to God. May each of us be wise, not in the sense of this world, but spiritually wise to look for and to Christ, leaving the world, and loving Him.

Notes:

{1} From an electronic version of Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance by James Strong incorporated in the Online Bible program, and so throughout the article whenever the ancient language is referred to and no other authority is cited.

{2} Here I include not only those who medically cannot go to church, but those who live in areas of the world where practice of Christianity is strictly forbidden, remote locations, areas that have only nominal Christian fellowships, and other situations.

This article was written in the form of a sermon (message) outline with comments. God willing by January 31, 2018 (hopefully much sooner), you should be able to hear the actual message (sermon) by selecting a link at http://www.sapphirestreams.com/life/audioM.html#M482 .

Unless otherwise noted all Holy Scripture is from the New American Standard Bible changing LORD to YHVH as it rightly should be when the text so indicates and adding “(The Existing One)” to readily express the meaning of His Name without making repeated explanations in articles. * = For other versions the spelling of some words is updated for our time in addition to changing LORD to YHVH as it rightly should be when the text so indicates.

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