Two thousand years ago, men of the East gazed into the heavens and were drawn to a star. They were compelled by something beyond themselves to follow its light.
Perhaps they were familiar with ancient Israel's literature that spoke of a time when "a Star shall come out of Jacob; a Scepter shall rise out of Israel" (Numbers 24:17).
Again, they may have pondered and acted upon the colorful depiction of Isaiah 60:1-3 where it declares, "Arise, shine; for your light has come!… The Gentiles shall come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your rising."
Their account in Matthew 2 is a story of faith set in motion to encounter the revelation of that star. Their unwavering purpose as recorded for future generations is summed up in their own words: "For we have seen His star in the East and have come to worship Him" (Matthew 2:2).
As we know from the familiar passages related to the first coming of Christ, these strangers from the East were not foreign to the protocol worthy of a ruler and thus offered gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh to the Christ child. Their anticipation was matched with the realization of being summoned to appear before a king.
The "voice of God" quieted?
What do these wise men of old have in common with us, and how might we tap into their wisdom? And why turn our sights in reverse to the first coming of Christ when so much of this magazine is devoted to current events and future prophecies?
