They left their homes and set off to follow a star. For generations before them, it had been spoken that the arrival of a great king would be marked by a special astronomical event. Was this it?
"A star will come out of Jacob; a scepter will rise out of Israel." Num 24:17
Each of the men were distinguished men of substance. Yet, they were willing to travel for months in pursuit of an special event. The risk was great. They had their reputations to think about. A person traveling roads unknown while carrying treasure is not exactly a "safe" thing to do. Yet, these men calculated the cost and decided to earnestly seek the king.
We don't know how the prophecy concerning the Messiah of the Jews found its way to these Gentile "wise men". Nor do we know, what led them to diligently seek this arriving king. We do know that they planned to worship him, because they carried expensive gifts to present to him. And Scripture tells us that they did in fact, bow down before the Baby in the Bethlehem manger at the end of their journey.
Almost 40 years later another man would meet this baby, now a man, on a road to Damascus. Like the wise men, he too would experience a life changing light. Jesus met Saul on that dusty road with a blinding light from heaven. What was His message? It's never changed. (Acts 9)
"From one man he made every nation of men, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he determined the times set for them and the exact places where they should live. God did this so that men would seek him and perhaps reach out to him and find him, though he is not far from each one of us." Acts 17:26,27
God's desire is the same for men of every generation. His message is "Seek me and follow me". Are you earnestly seeking him today. He is seeking you. Are you watching? Are you listening? A wise man would do so, regardless of the cost.
Just Thinkin'.. WebServant
(1) Scripture comes from the Holy Bible, New International Version; (c)1978 by New York International Bible Society
(2) The images used herein were obtained from the Learning Company's ClickArt Christian Graphics Deluxe product, (c)1999 The Learning Company, Inc and its subsidiaries, 88 Roland Way, Novato, CA 94945 USA. All Rights Reserved.