Jan. 19, 2008 - My First Magi Question...
Okay... Here's the very first thing that just blows my set about those Magi. Are you ready? Good! So am I. Without further ado:
To get you started thinking about these guys, the first thing to know about them is that they were big-wigs from wherever it is they came from. From what I've researched, it is not certain exactly where they had journeyed from, but they are thought to have come from either Persia or from India. Much of that speculation comes from the fact that both places have very different languages with very similar meanings for words very close to "magi." But whatever the case, one thing is certain: They were big-time VIP's. But I digress...
Okay, we've established that they are definitely higher-ups, not of the common masses. So they make the trek following the star, to worship a newborn king. Isn't that just amazing in and of itself? These men must have been accustomed to people flocking to see them, not the other way around. As amazing as that is, there have been kings and rulers who have journeyed to far places to have an audience with one they thought could bring enhancement of some sort to their own lives and/or kingdoms. Queen of Sheba... Peter the Great... a great ruler in one of the ancient African kingdoms... Or even Marco Polo.... It's happened before. In each of those cases, they were going to one that was well established, well documented, to those who existed in immense fame and power. None of those visitees were newborns. But the Magi??? They went all because of a star. That sounds like a great big "maybe" to me. And even if this star does pan out, a newborn???
Newborn aside, these Magi were so certain of what they were doing and where they were going. They obviously believed beyond a shadow of a doubt that this star was not just an ordinary star. They were willing to travel to such lengths, taking such time and expense to do so, literally risking life and limb to get to the source of that star.
And what about when they finally got there? Herod was no help to them. No new kings there. I so promise you, that would have done it for me! I would have been stomping back to the camels, packing up my gear, pouting, mumbling about crossing a whole ocean of hot sand for absolutely nothing... you get the picture. I really don't think I would have even taken another single step towards finding much of anything.
But these Magi persisted. They finally located this child. And could this child have been more different from these men? I can just imagine them showing up with the entourage to this very poor, very un-regal family, and a family of ill-repute at that! But they went right ahead with their plans. In they came to worship a baby who couldn't have looked any less kingly if he'd tried. Those Magi were completely unabashed in their belief and they worship. That amazes me! Think about how you behave when you realize that you've misread a situation involving people. Can we say fish-tailing? Hem-ing and haw-ing? That would be me! I think I probably would have been setting all that gold, frankincense, and myrrh aside somewhere in the many folds of my oh so beautiful robe.
That really hits me square between the eyes. How sure am I of Jesus? Do I follow with hesitating, halting steps? Or do I forge boldly ahead? Even when things aren't turning out the way I've expected? Even when my steps of faith are met with only blank stares of zero understanding? Does my life exhibit complete assurance of who he is- King of Kings and Lord of Lords? Or do I water down who he is? Do I hide gifts meant for him in the folds of my life?
What about the commitment the Magi had? I find myself whining about spending the extra gas money to go the five or so miles to church, riding in my comfy, air-conditioned, heated seat ride. Woe is me. I've never had to ride a camel to church! I hear they're pretty ornery. And from what I've been told, the desert is also no place for wimps either...Whisper Whisper- Like me!
Perhaps these Magi fascinate me because they convict me so much. They really pack a punch, don't they? Magi, I don't know who you were or exactly where you came from, but I'm so glad you did. You really are the "wise men." How you've taught me about that sweet baby of Christmas!
Comments
Jan. 22, 2008 - Untitled Comment
Posted by teachingmisssmartypants
Great post!
PS. You've been tagged. :)
Jan. 22, 2008 - Untitled Comment
Posted by lahbluebonnet
That's a lot of good thinking you've done on the Magi. BTW, you are right...I'm going to be Queen Elizabeth!
Blessings,
Laurie
