Matthew 2: 2

‘Where is the child who has been born king of the Jews? For we have observed his star at its rising, and have come to pay him homage’.

The magi mentioned in this section are popularly believed to be wise men functioning as advisors to monarchs, and practiced astrology and dream interpretation.

If we look closely into the above verse two forms of nature could be seen:

The first part of the verse in question form ‘Where is the child………king of the Jews’ displays a more human nature whereas the second part of the verse, “For we have observed his start at its rising…….’ has a divine nature.

Looking further closely into the verse in terms of its chronology, we can see that the second part of the verse happened prior to the first part of the verse. Therefore, to begin with, the wise men observed an unusual star at its rising. Reading further down through the chapter, the star at a later stage guided them to the birth place of Jesus.

We see a gap between the first viewing of the star and the same star guiding them later, after leaving Herod’s place. This means, after observing the star they probably did not follow the star but instead decided to go to the King’s place. This was apparently a wrong move as we can see later in the following verses.

The observation of the star was not because of their human capabilities (wise men) but divine mercy, as we read in Luke 1:78. It appears that the wise men probably were overweighed with their own mental faculty rather than spiritual guidance. This is not uncommon in our spiritual journey. In the book of Revelation (2:4) the angel of the church in Ephesus brings the message of Jesus Christ- ‘But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first’. Jesus spoke to a rich man ‘……you lack one thing…….’ (Mark 10:20). The one thing that we lack is the first love of God and the memory of our experience at the beginning of our journey with Lord.

After witnessing the star at its beginning, the wise men might have sat down together and started using their secular knowledge to scientifically analyse about the star and the way to Christ. When Jesus speaks to us through dreams, revelations, signs, or messages via God’s servants, we tend to analyse them in terms of its benefits, risks, social stigmas and so on before believing or following. We must remember that there is a parallel demonic force constantly trying to induce negative thoughts and distractions working in this world (see 1 Peter 5:8). Also remember, Satan tried to distract even Jesus Christ through temptations. If we follow the demonic way, we will end up losing God’s long term plan for us.

Divine revelations can only be analysed and understood through divine wisdom as opposed to worldly wisdom, ‘for the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God’ (1 Corinthians 3:19). As we read in the book of Daniel (chapter 2) Daniel and his companions did not interpret the dream using human wisdom but rather sought God’s help. Unlike Daniel, Jonah tried to work out a human alternative (Jonah 4:2) for God’s revelation and subsequently set off to a different direction against divine will (Jonah 1:3).  Daniel acknowledged that ‘…….for wisdom and power are his’ (Daniel 2:20). It was only after complete submission to Lord that Daniel received the interpretation of Nebuchadnezzar’s dream. We also read in this book that human wisdom failed to interpret the dream (Daniel 2:11). A complete submission to Lord could be termed as ‘faith’.

‘Faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen’ (Hebrews 11:1). Faith is the armour to drive away Satan’s distractions (see 1 Peter 5:9).

One may wonder how to obtain this faith. Faith derives from the word of God. Romans 10:17 says that faith comes from what is heard, and what is heard comes through the word of Christ. Therefore, faith has its roots in the word of God. If the word of God abides in us we have the assurance of faith (John 15:7). The strength of our faith could then be linked to the strength of the word of God in us. Joshua was assured prosperity and success in leading the nation to the Promised Land, provided he did not get distracted from the word of God (Joshua 1:8).

A reasoning mind or the quantity of secular knowledge is no match for divine faith. If Abraham followed his reasoning mind he would not have become the father of many nations (Romans 4:18); instead he hoped against hope, which means he completely submitted himself to the faith in Lord when a son was promised to him at the age of around 100 (Romans 4:19).

The wise men must have followed their minds of reasoning which eventually took them to Herod’s palace looking for Jesus. From a worldly perspective where else should a king be searched for? Had they followed the star right from its beginning, they would have been taken straight to Jesus. Unfortunately, the reasoning mind must have distracted them. We must have a strong conviction of faith that nothing of this world should be able to distract us. Saint Paul testified his faith when he said, ‘Who will separate us from the love of Christ?’ (Romans 8:35). Where there is love there is faith. Our love of God is either false or selfish when we do not entrust full faith in Him.

When the wise men came out of Herod’s palace, the star was again visible and it guided them to Jesus (Matthew 2:9). When Jonah repented Lord forgave him (Jonah 2:10). When the wise men completely surrendered to God by kneeling in front of Jesus Christ (Matthew 2:11) they were given further revelations about their future course of action. Jonah’s complete submission led him to be recommissioned for God’s mission (Jonah 3:1).

Let us sit back and reflect: are we following our worldly rational mind or divine soul. Rational mind always look for the satisfaction of the mind through reasoning whereas faith follows unseen realities. Saint Paul wrote to Corinthians, ‘for what can been seen is temporary, but what cannot be seen is eternal’ (2 Corinthians 4:18).

Let us pray:

Oh Lord Jesus, please empty my mind of reasoning and strengthen my faith in you, for you are the way, truth and life. Amen.