Thoughts on the Magi
Matthew 2:1-13

The Magi as a group were not kings. They were men who gained riches if they were good at what they did. The fact that the ones who visited the baby Jesus gave expensive gifts does not mean they were wealthy. They may have had one of two distinct talents, or gifts from God, but probably not too many. Usually they practiced healing. They almost all studied the stars. They used them as well as various other items to predict the future. Sometimes they were right. The Magicians Moses faced in Egypt were such men. Some were much more open to truth than others. They were not stupid.

It's likely that most of them were quite intelligent. I'm sure these particular wise men knew the kind of person Herod was. I believe they were open to the spectacular warning God gave them not to go back to Herod, and they traveled home passing up Jerusalem because of it just as Matthew says they did. I don't think these men were worried too much about what Herod thought.

An ancient story has it that there were 12 magi. All we can be sure of is that there were more than one, and that they gave the baby Jesus their most treasured possessions. If we apply this story to ourselves, it will make us wonder if we shouldn't give more liberally than we do!

Beyond what the Scripture gives us in Matthew, I think we may spend too much time trying to piece together the lives and activities of the Magi. We do not need to know their names, or their point, or points of origin. We don't need to concern ourselves with whether they spoke or understood Hebrew, or not. The "east" Matthew speaks of could refer to almost any part of western Asia, or beyond and is not important to the story. What is important is that God made sure someone recognized the importance of that baby to Israel, and the rest of the world. It is obvious, God sent Jesus to be the Savior and Lord of all mankind.

When I think of Jesus' birth, I wonder how we connect giving gifts to each other with Christmas. Shouldn't we be giving gifts to Him as the Magi did? He is not here in the flesh, but He did say; "Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers, you did it for me." I know some try to limit that to Christians, but there were no Christians at the time He said it. All human beings are our brothers and sisters. Without Christ, all are lost and need saving, too many are poor and need food, clothing, shelter, medical help, hope for the future and eternal life. As in the story of the Samaritan who helped the injured man, we are friends to those we help, and we fulfill the so called Golden Rule when we help those in need.

I am not saying we shouldn't give gifts to each other, but rather that we must not let that be the end of our giving! Be wise! Be one of the Magi! Fill the need of the poor, not necessarily the deserving, in the Name of Jesus!