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Lets recount the names of those who, up to this time, knew of the coming of the Christ Child. Mary certainly was first then followed by Joseph, the yet unborn John the Baptist, John's mother Elizabeth, the shepherds, Simeon, and Anna. All of these people, we are told, went out and told everyone that would listen and you would think that by now the news would have spread like wildfire and a great celebration would be taking place over the coming of the long awaited Messiah, but instead, no one seemed to know or care where He was.
This is evidenced by the coming of the Wise men. If these men were from Persia or Arabia and if the star they saw was the star of Bethlehem that shown on the night of the birth of Jesus, than these men would have been traveling for some 16 to 18 months, which would explain why Herod set the age for the killing of all first born, at 2 years.
These so called Wisemen have been called "Magicians" but our understanding of this word imparts a misunderstanding of their profession. If ,in fact, they were from Persia or Arabia, as most believe, than they were more probably philosophers, astronomers or priests as we understand them. This we are sure of:
Note: God always speaks in a way that is understandable to the people or person He is talking to. The shepherds, being Jews, were contacted by an Angel. The Wisemen, being Gentiles and astrologers, were contacted by a star of such magnitude that they realized that the event that it heralded was worth the Long trip and noting the country over which it rested, they journeyed to see what had taken place. These people worshipped the stars. They believed that the stars directed their fate and ordered their lives. Notice that the star that directed them to Judea also, after they had inquired of the King, directed them to the place where Jesus and his parents were living at that time. The star represented, to them, a divine signal of the divine nature of the child, so naturally, they inquired where they could find the new born king.
When the wise men arrive in Judea they go to the Palace of the King and inquire where they might find the new born king. The immediate answer that they get is a question, "Why do you ask?" They answered, "We have come to worship him." Now there had been many kings of Judah in the past and no one from the east had come to worship them, why did they come to worship this one? The obvious answer lies in the means God used in notifying them. As we said previously, these people worshipped stars, also we believe they were led of the Spirit to do this.
Now King Herod, wishing to perpetuate his reign, and certainly with some knowledge that such a king was promised even though he was a descendant of Essau instead of Jacob, takes a great interest in these men and in their question. Herod calls in his councilors and no one is able to say where the child is, but they seem to remember that the scriptures had prophesied that one would come and that He would be born at Bethlehem. Herod inquires as to when they had first seen the star, that he might determine the time of His birth. Already, Herod's cruel plan of extermination is starting to take shape. He also asks them to return to the Palace if they find this new king that he might go and worship Him also.
So having learned where the king was to be born, the Wise Men travel to Bethlehem. Isn't it strange that Herod did not send one of his men with them on so great a mission but rather trusted them to return with the information he wanted. On leaving Jerusalem, they were again led by the same star to Bethelem and to the house where Jesus was staying. Now exceedingly glad they must have been knowing that their long journey had not been in vain.
Notice that these men were not biased by the humble circumstances in which they found Jesus, indicating either their understanding of the nature of Christ's Kingdom or their trust in that which they did not understand. We can learn from these men in the way they treated this child. They presented themselves first and then their gifts. Even the gifts that they brought were symbolic of Christ's mission in this world.
Having presented themselves and their gifts, they departed. They had fully intended to return to Jerusalem and present their findings to Herod but being forewarned in a dream, something they had great respect for, they returned home another way. There they told their countrymen all that they had seemed, but isn't it strange, we never hear any more of them.
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