“Behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, Saying, Where is He that is born King of the Jews?” (Matthew 2:1,2).

The wise men and the chief priests and scribes of Matthew 2 reveal that there are true servants of the Lord in places where we least expect, and there are those who are quite religious but fail to honor Christ. The wise men lived up to the light God had given to them and were given more light. The priests and scribes believed not and light was taken from them. But how wise were the wise men? They were wise in the Scriptures. The Scriptures were taken by the Jews into the land of captivity (Babylon and Persia) many years before the birth of Christ. It was there that the wise men came in contact with God’s word, and, with the appearance of the miraculous star, understood a King was to be born. They were wise in the art of spiritual diligence. No sacrifice was too great; no problem was too insurmountable. They kept seeking until they found. They were wise in their worship. “And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary His mother, and fell down, and worshipped Him” (Matthew 2:11). They were wise enough to give respect to Mary but worship to Christ. They were wise in their giving. “They presented unto Him gifts; gold [showing His kingly character and deity], and frankincense [showing Him in His priestly character], and myrrh [showing Him in His human character of suffering and death]” (Matthew 2:11,12). They were wise in their obedience. It might have been very profitable to return to Herod, but they obeyed God rather than man. May we at this Christmas season be just as wise! NPS