Day 31

Wise Men Visit the King



Matthew 2:1-23, Jeremiah 31:15-17

BY Melanie Rainer

Section 3: The Light Dawns


Scripture Reading: Matthew 2:1-23, Jeremiah 31:15-17

The wise men have always been, at least to me, some of the most perplexing parts of the traditional Christmas story. They appear in nativity sets, kids always play them in pageants, and we even sing traditional hymns about them. The perplexing piece is, however, that Scripture doesn’t really lead us to include them at Christmas time. And yet, their story reflects an unavoidable and beautiful truth about Jesus: you don’t have to fit a script to worship Him. 

The magi came to Jesus after His birth; scholars suggest even up to two years after He was born. Magi were non-Jewish mystics who studied astrology and had a special relationship, they believed, with the stars. These magi heard whispers of a king born and saw an unusual star, which they felt compelled to follow. So they set off with gifts to see who the star portended.

When the magi arrived, though, Scripture is clear about what happened. These men of magic and stars fell immediately to their knees in the presence of Jesus. They worshiped Him. They gave Him fine gifts, of gold and frankincense and myrrh. And even though the wicked King Herod had instructed them to tell him where this baby King was, they fled in another direction. They worshiped and they believed. They were changed. 

This is the gift of our King Jesus. No matter why or when or how you come to Him, His majesty and glory are undeniable. His presence commands us to fall to our knees and worship; He is that great, that awesome, that good. The magi left home following a hunch and a burning ball of gas in the night sky; they left Mary and Joseph’s home with a newfound knowledge of what was good and true. They, the first Gentiles to worship the Messiah, show us in their story how powerful the love of Christ is. 

And so even if they don’t exactly fit in the Christmas story chronologically, the magi show us what it means to be in the presence of Jesus, God incarnate. God with us. May we soak in the goodness and presence of our Lord this season, no matter where we’ve been or what brought us to this place. May we fall on our knees and worship Him.

Written by Melanie Rainer

Post Comments (77)

77 thoughts on "Wise Men Visit the King"

  1. Alana Okumu says:

    This reminds me that it’s not complicated. Scripture doesn’t tell us they had 100 and 1 questions etc just that they fell to their knees and worshipped. Help us today God to step out of our humanity and fall to our knees. That’s all we need.

  2. Laurie Crary says:

    On my, so well written. This really touched my heart and soul.

  3. Gail F says:

    This is so encouraging for me! No matter where we are in our walk of faith, the love of Christ can make us turn from what we think we know- what we worship or follow- and just fall on our knees to worship Him! Wow!

  4. Meagan Warlick says:

    I always forget that the wise men came after his birth, not before. I’ve also never thought of them as being changed by Jesus or the first Gentiles to believe, but today’s devotional was refreshing!!!

  5. Sarah Morrison says:

    ❤️

  6. CeeGee says:

    TRACI GENDRON, I just read your post and pray that you have a night of good, restful sleep. In your most recent comment you said you were more at peace. I will be praying for that to continue grow as you work through this tremendous grief.
    VICTORIA E, so glad you are doing well after the vaccine!

  7. Claire B says:

    Traci, I will pray for your peace. Remember that God is in charge and knows all, including when you are born and when you will die. Release that burden of which you could not control. I know, it is easier said than done. Just try to rethink it in terms of control, it is His not yours. Blessings upon you and all you endured. I cannot begin to know your pain. I only have one daughter and 2 grands so I know I would be devastated and probably thinking like you are. Love and peace.

  8. Claire B says:

    Maria, I love this!

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