Monday, January 13, 2014
Matthew 2:1-2 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 have seen His star in the East and have come to worship Him."
THE SAVIOR OF THE NATIONS ... CAME AND IS REVEALED AS THE SAVIOR OF ALL NATIONS
They are perhaps the first that many think of in connection with the season of Epiphany -- the wise men. They came from the east. We don't know exactly where they called home. They weren't kings. They are specifically called "magi" and it's more likely they were astronomers or astrologers. We don't know if they rode on camels. In fact, we don't even know how many of them there were. It's assumed three based on the fact that there were three gifts.
What do we know about them? We know that they were not Jews, they were Gentiles. They must have heard God's promises made to the Jews concerning the Christ (perhaps Numbers 24:17). They came to worship the Child Jesus. It's evident that they believed Him to be their King.
Jesus was born the long promised King of the Jews, but He didn't come only for the Jews. He came to be the Savior of humankind, of people from every nation of men to dwell on the face of the earth. This truth is one of the central themes of the season of Epiphany. While this truth is underscored by the fact that the Gentile Magi came to worship Him, it's a truth taught throughout the Scriptures.
It's a truth that should give us joy because many of us are not of Jewish descent. We are Gentiles. We are made part of the family of God and blessed with believing Abraham by faith in Christ Jesus.
