Matthew 2:1-12 – The Wise Men
These verses show us that there may be true servants of God in places where we wouldn’t expect to find them. Men and women may be born in dark places of the earth, like these wise men, and yet like them be made wise unto salvation. It is not always those who have the most religious privileges who give Christ most honour. We might have thought that the scribes and Pharisees would have been the first to hurry to Bethlehem, on the slightest rumour that the Saviour was born. But it was not so. A few unknown strangers from a distant land were the first, along with the shepherds, to rejoice at His birth. How often the very persons who have the most opportunity to learn about God are those who neglect it.
These verses also show that there may be knowledge of Scripture in the head, while there is no grace in the heart. The priests knew the Scripture, but they never went to Bethlehem to seek the Saviour. They would not believe in Him even when He lived among them.
What trouble it must have cost these wise men to go from their homes to the house where Jesus was! How many dangerous miles must they have travelled. But none of this mattered. They had their hearts set on seeing Christ, and they would not rest till they found Him. What diligence do we show about following Christ? What does our faith cost us?
These wise men believed in Christ when they had never seen Him. They believed in Him when the scribes and Pharisees were unbelieving. They believed in Him when they saw him as a small child and worshipped Him as a King. They saw no miracles to convince them. They heard no teaching to persuade them. They saw nothing but a small child, but when they saw Him they believed that they saw the Saviour of the world.
Questions
- Who was the first to rejoice at Christ’s birth?
- What did the wise men believe about Christ?
Prayer Points
- Pray for faith like the wise men.
- Use prayer points from your congregation.
- Pray for family matters.