Monday, Jan 6

Scripture: Matthew 2:1-2 (NIV) – “After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.”

Message: Have you ever wondered why Matthew included the Magi in his Gospel which, according to many scholars, was originally written for Jewish Christians? Why would these outsiders, without a Hebrew heritage, play such a pivotal role in recognizing and worshipping the Christ-child. Why did they travel hundreds, or thousands of miles over many months to pay homage to the birth of the One who had been sent by God to save the world. All we know from Matthew is that they travelled from the East, they followed a star to worship the Christ-child who would become “king of the Jews”, with highly symbolic and traditional gifts of gold (for kingship), frankincense (for divinity) and myrrh (for anointing and embalming). The news from the Magi terrified Herod.

So, in the Hebrew tradition of Midrash (based on the Hebrew root word meaning “to seek” or “to investigate”), how would Hebrew scholars have explored the meaning of these events? Rabbinical scholars would have met and explored various interpretations, not to claim and defend their position, but to listen and learn from each other, while always respecting each other’s views.

The Vatican has several papers on the Magi including “Opus Imperfectum in Matthaeum” (Incomplete Work on Matthew) which is believed to have been written between the 3^rdand the 5^th Centuries AD¹. Other papers translated into English in “Revelation of the Magi”² describe the Magi as possibly descendants of Seth, third Son of Adam, who lived in the extreme East. Other scholars think the Magi were possibly Zoroastrian priests who came from Persia (modern day Iran). Irrespective of which is true, we find that God calls many people, not just Christians or Jews, to reveal His truth. The Magi, just like the shepherds recorded in Luke, were unclean outsiders, yet among the first to recognize and worship the Christ-child.

Prayer: Father, You alone are all knowing – Your mysteries are beyond our comprehension. Help us learn from You and to understand that we are to love You and all Your children without reservation. Let the examples of the Magi and the Shepherds bring us closer to You and to others we are called to love. Amen.

David Vatcher - see 1 0f 2

1. “Opus Imperfectum in Matthaeum” (Incomplete Work on Matthew) circa 3rd/5th Centuries AD. Public Domain. Referenced in Footnote 2. below.

2. “Revelation of the Magi: The Lost Tale of the Wise Men’s Journey to Bethlehem” by Brent Landau. 2012 © Copyright. Published by Harper One, Harper Collins Publishers, New York, New York. Permission not required for use of Title.