Kingdom Blog

Wise Men from the East

‘Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, saying, “Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the East and have come to worship Him.”

When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born.

So they said to him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for thus it is written by the prophet: ‘But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are not the least among the rulers of Judah; For out of you shall come a Ruler who will shepherd My people Israel.’ ”

Then Herod, when he had secretly called the wise men, determined from them what time the star appeared. And he sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search carefully for the young Child, and when you have found Him, bring back word to me, that I may come and worship Him also.”

When they heard the king, they departed; and behold, the star which they had seen in the East went before them, till it came and stood over where the young Child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceedingly great joy. And when they had come into the house, they saw the young Child with Mary His mother, and fell down and worshiped Him. And when they had opened their treasures, they presented gifts to Him: gold, frankincense, and myrrh.

Then, being divinely warned in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed for their own country another way. (Matthew 2:1-12)

Who are these ‘wise men’ from the East? Were there only three? Why did they know about the sign? How long were they watching? There is certainly some mystery about these figures that burst onto the page in the greatest story ever told.

While others were surprised by the Advent of Immanuel (e.g. Herod, Pharisees, Mary, and Joseph), these Magi seemed to be aware something was about to occur, they had been watching and waiting for the event. 

According the original Greek of the New Testament these wise men are Mag’-os, meaning wise men, Magian – oriental scientists, possibly magicians wisemen! From the East. 

Armenian and related traditions suggest there the East was area centred around Persia, and at the time the predominant ancient religion was Zoaroastrianism. (Quirky fact the name Mazda has its origins in this belief system, and reportedly the connections with the three wise men).

The Magi appear solely in the Gospel of Matthew, which states that they came “from the east” (Greek ἀπὸ ἀνατολῶν – apo anatolōn) to worship the “one who has been born king of the Jews”. Their names, origins, appearances, and exact number are unmentioned and derive from the inferences or traditions of later Christians. In Western Christianity, they are usually assumed to have been three in number, corresponding with each gift; in Eastern Christianity, especially the Syriac churches, they often number twelve. Likewise, the Magi’s social status is never stated: Although some biblical translations describe them as astrologers, they were increasingly identified as kings by at least the third century, which conformed with Christian interpretations of Old Testament prophecies that the messiah would be worshipped by kings. Other debate this to be true, suggesting that they were sort of priestly figures.

Sebastian Brock, a historian of Christianity, has said: “It was no doubt among converts from Zoroastrianism that … certain legends were developed around the Magi of the Gospels”. Some other historians concluded that the Gospel story of the Magi was influenced by an Iranian legend concerning magi and a star, which was connected with Persian beliefs in the rise of a star predicting the birth of a ruler.

However, the main tradition suggests they could in fact be descendant from the magicians and sorcerers  who were led and guided by the prophet and leader Daniel in the days of Nebuchadnezzar and Cyrus in Babylon.  (After all the phrase wise men is the same used in Daniel 2 for those that this prophet would lead in Babylon). For me this makes a lot of sense. For Daniel was certainly an end times prophet, who had been given insights by God of the coming Messiah, and of his times and seasons. Such ‘wise men or magicians’ were from royal courts, and thus it might have also been said they were royalty, and certainly travelled with gifts of such, and even bad old Herod welcomed them in willingly – he would not do that just for anyone.

These wise men knew of the description of the coming King as a Star, and perhaps due to middle eastern mysticism, as led by God, figured that He would be accompanied by a sign in the heavens of a star (also part of Persian tradition). God spoke in the Old Testament of signs in the heaven.

“I see Him, but not now; I behold Him, but not near; A Star shall come out of Jacob; A Scepter shall rise out of Israel, and batter the brow of Moab, and destroy all the sons of tumult.” (Numbers 24:17)

“I, Jesus, have sent My angel to testify to you these things in the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, the Bright and Morning Star.” (Revelation 22:16)

So I see a picture of mystics, continuing to look for this sign, and watching for it. Who knows how long, probably for generations these wisemen had been seeking this sign, and when it came to their turn they watched and when they saw it they rejoiced, and continued to watch for it and follow it.

Consider also Simeon and Anna (see Luke 2) – how they continued faithfully in the watch as well. These two knew what it was to watch for Christ, and patiently, and perhaps hints at Jesus’ reason for frustration with the apostles when in the garden of Gethsemane (see Matthew 26) they could not even watch and wait for Him for an hour!

So for me Christmas is not only a reminder of Christ’s advent, and the wonder of Immanuel (God with us), and not only a reminder of His coming return, but also a reminder to prayerfully watch for and with Him. Like Christ on the mountain praying and meeting with God, while also watching over His followers in the boat.

But,  how long are we willing to watch patiently for what God has shown us, and to continue prayerfully in that call. For today we can be called to pray for someone, to watch over them with God, as Christ watches over them. Joining Him in heavenly places (Ephesians 2:6) as He intercedes for us (Romans 8:34, Hebrew 7:25), He inspires us to join with Him to watch over His word to perform it. 

He understand that our bodies are indeed flesh, and thus weak, and prone to curious things like sleep, distraction, food, other interests and hobbies, and wanting to connect on earth with people. It is not easy staying true to the prayer vigil, but thankful He has given us Himself in the form of the Holy Spirit to do so. And while we lapse, He will prompt us to wake up, and keep watching and praying.

He also calls us to watch (Matthew 24) diligently for His return (Acts 1). Like the wisemen, not just passively, but actively, looking for the signs, while also following HIs leading. In doing the following we are preparing His way.

I believe there can be particularly seasons where God calls many to join with Him and prayerfully watch over situations, people, and times to come, and that we have entered into this season. Some times this looks like being waken up at ridiculous hours in the morning or sensible hours during the day, and feeling inspired to pray; others feel to gather with other believers in regular prayer meetings as part of their church or across churches; and, still others find themselves going back to a stance of prayer that had been in before. 

As Christmas approaches, and 2025 is about to begin, I simple encourage us all to be open to God’s prompting to watch for what He is revealing to us, and then to patient pray it in. Sometimes this means movement, other times this means being still, but always watching, praying, and patiently believing God will do what He has shown us. Some time ago God show me that there was a particularly grace available to us the started in the latter half of 2024 and open us through 2025. A call to watch and behold what God is showing us, and out of that revelation to pray and see Him move mightily. 

(See: https://thekingdomassociates.com/2024/03/23/glimpses-into-2025-and-5785/)

After all, looking to the heavens, and pursuing God for His leading, can lead us to Immanuel, God with us.