Magi

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

‭Word finally got to Herod. Some men from a foreign land had arrived in Jerusalem, looking for a new king. And worse, they were asking for the whereabouts of the “newborn King of the Jews“. Herod, was a very insecure king in a very insecure land, under Roman occupation, and we read in Matthew 2:3, “King Herod was deeply disturbed when he heard this, as was everyone in Jerusalem“. The consensus amongst the religious leaders was that Bethlehem was going to be the birthplace of the Messiah, and they made the connection with the reference to the King of the Jews. But we know the story, told many times when we were children, and ever since. Nativity Plays with three kings bringing their gifts. Traditional excitement for parents and other relatives. All part of church life and a celebration of the first coming of our Messiah, Jesus Himself. 

Sadly, many people don’t know the story anymore, preferring to focus on the materialism of the holiday season. Strange displays in shop windows stir vague memories or are written off as yet another aid to part people from their money in a season of expense and often stress and anxiety. Any thoughts about Jesus get lost in the leftovers after Christmas lunch, or are quickly forgotten as a New Year with its resolutions emerges from the holiday fogs. Back to work or school dominate. Another year coming with bad news about the climate and taxes and so on. A cynical or negative perspective? Perhaps, but the world around us is locked into a mindset that is dominated by the devil and his influence. As a “type” of Herod, he looks around for any good news of the “newborn King of the Jews”and seeks to destroy it before it becomes a problem to him. We read in Matthew 2:16, “Herod was furious when he realized that the wise men had outwitted him. He sent soldiers to kill all the boys in and around Bethlehem who were two years old and under, based on the wise men’s report of the star’s first appearance“. There are many people around today, the devil’s “soldiers”, who want to kill off any rumours that there is actually Good News coming. Jesus was, and still is, God’s message of hope. His Good News will never be killed off because we pilgrims propagate it wherever we live. 

So we pilgrims have another opportunity to talk about the birth of the God-man, Jesus. The first advent of our Messiah, the Son of God, has an excitement connected to it that must be communicated. A group of wise men, or Magi, from a far off country went to a lot of trouble and expense to worship at His feet. A group of shepherds were gob-smacked with the angelic vision and song. And 21st Century pilgrims can feel within them a deep sense of gratitude that God had a plan for saving the world. We are a part of that plan, with a mission to tell those around us that Jesus was born to be our Saviour. Man-made efforts to change the world pall into insignificance when compared to the impact of the birth of our Saviour, Jesus Christ.

It may come as a bit of a surprise to some, but Jesus will return a second time to this planet. The first time He came as a baby, taking on human flesh, a suffering Servant who gave His life for us sinners. But next time He will come as a victorious King. We read how Jesus finally left Planet Earth in Acts 1:9, “After saying this, he was taken up into a cloud while they were watching, and they could no longer see him“. But what happened next foretells the way Jesus will return. “As they strained to see him rising into heaven, two white-robed men suddenly stood among them. “Men of Galilee,” they said, “why are you standing here staring into heaven? Jesus has been taken from you into heaven, but someday he will return from heaven in the same way you saw him go!”” (Acts 1:10-11). 

And how Jesus will return we can read in Revelation 19:11, 14-15, “Then I saw heaven opened, and a white horse was standing there. Its rider was named Faithful and True, for he judges fairly and wages a righteous war. … The armies of heaven, dressed in the finest of pure white linen, followed him on white horses. From his mouth came a sharp sword to strike down the nations. He will rule them with an iron rod. He will release the fierce wrath of God, the Almighty, like juice flowing from a winepress“. Significantly, He will no longer be the Suffering Servant but the ” … King of all kings and Lord of all Lords” (Revelation 19:16b). 

We pilgrims have a message of hope, a testimony to God’s goodness. We know the end of the story, and we need to declare it loud and clear to those around us. Psalm 2:12 is a warning to all, “Submit to God’s royal son, or he will become angry, and you will be destroyed in the midst of all your activities— for his anger flares up in an instant. But what joy for all who take refuge in him!” Let us have a joyful day remembering and celebrating God’s Son Jesus, as we take refuge in Him, worshipping at the foot of a manger in a place far away.

Dear Father God. Thank You that You had a plan for the salvation of mankind. Thank You Jesus for the mission we have and the opportunities it has afforded us. We worship You today. Amen.