January 28 - Wise Men

Read: Matthew 2:1-12

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 ESV)

The story of the wise men is nearly always told in conjunction with the birth of Christ. Why? Because Jesus really is the King of Kings. He is Messiah to all peoples. he is such a king that even non Jewish wise men (magi the Greeks called them) travelled many months and miles to demonstrate their love for a God they probably only comprehended as an exalted earthly ruler.

We don't know how many there were, though tradition often alludes to there being three. We only know that they travelled very far, across rugged dangerous terrain, at great personal expense to shower a very young Jesus with luxurious gifts and praise. Imagine their surprise at discovering the prophesied king was the child of a lowly carpenter and his poor peasant wife.

Jesus really is the King of all. King of all people. King over all harm. King over any adversity. King of the universe, of all time, and your heart. He is the King? The only thing to be determined is whether or not you will recognize his kingship and join in with the wise men and many more across history to worship the King.