How much do you have to know before taking decisive action?
The Greek word magos (μάγος) refers to a member of a learned priestly tradition associated with the Babylonian and Persian Empires. Magi were educated prognosticators, employing astrology, dream reading, and ancient texts to understand the significance of current events and their implications for rulers.
When King Nebuchadnezzar experienced a troubling dream, he turned to “the magicians, and the astrologers, and the sorcerers, and the Chaldeans” for answers. Their initial response was tentative and unsatisfactory, and in a fit of rage, the king “commanded to destroy all the wise men of Babylon” (Daniel 2:1-13).
About 600 years later, after the collapse of the Babylonian Empire, a group of magi arrived in Jerusalem seeking to worship a newborn King of the Jews. In many English translations of the Bible, these magi are called “wise men,” borrowing the biblical designation used for royal advisors in Daniel 2. They sought information from Herod the Great, apparently unaware that he had a history of ruthlessly eliminating perceived threats to his power, even within his own family.
Their question to the king:
Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.
Matthew 2:2
Herod consulted with Jewish scholars, who identified Bethlehem as the prophesied location of the Messiah’s birth. When these magi arrived at the home of Jesus, they treated him like royalty. There is no indication that they were surprised or deterred in their quest by his humble surroundings. They simply “fell down, and worshipped him” as they had travelled many miles to do. Then, they presented him with gifts which must have seemed wholly inappropriate to the environment: “gold, and frankincense, and myrrh” (Matthew 2:11).
Then they went home another way, having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod. How much did they know about the identity of this child and His importance to the world? Enough to undertake a long journey at great effort and expense, but not enough to know his exact location or the political ramifications of his arrival. They acted in faith on the information they had, and they were consequently able to bless the humble family of Jesus immensely. They provided valuable resources but more importantly, their visit confirmed to Mary and Joseph that their child was important to people far beyond the land of Israel, of all social classes and backgrounds.
Shortly before the birth of Christ, a group of people in the Americas waited patiently for the fulfillment of a prophecy given four years earlier by a man named Samuel. Some of them received confirmation of their own that the Son of God would shortly be born:
There were great signs given unto the people, and wonders; and the words of the prophets began to be fulfilled.
And angels did appear unto men, wise men, and did declare unto them glad tidings of great joy; thus in this year the scriptures began to be fulfilled.
Helaman 16:13-14
This in the context of a general hardening of the people around them. A few people were open to revelation and learned for themselves that the prophesies were true. Those people remained true to their faith in spite of personal danger. (See 3 Nephi 1:4-9.)
Today, I will strive to emulate the faith of the wise men in both Jerusalem and in the Americas. I will be open and receptive to divine assurances that Jesus is the Christ, and I will act on those assurances, even if personal sacrifice is required.
Leave a Reply