Wise men and fools....

The story of Christmas is filled with wonder and joy. In the past days we have looked at the birth of Christ, His parents, His announcement and yesterday we saw the first to receive the news that a Savior was born where the lowliest shepherds. There where others who also received news of this special birth. Some where wise men and others were fools who may have understood but never responded.
There is a deep mystery surrounding the three wise men. The bible does not say much about them...it seems as they just appear and as mysteriously as they do they disappear from the pages of scripture. Much has been added over time to their part of the story. But the clear facts are right there in the Gospel of Matthew.
"Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem, saying, "Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we saw 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. Gathering together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Messiah was to be born. They said to him, "In Bethlehem of Judea; for this is what has been written by the prophet: AND YOU, BETHLEHEM, LAND OF JUDAH, ARE BY NO MEANS LEAST AMONG THE LEADERS OF JUDAH; FOR OUT OF YOU SHALL COME FORTH A RULER WHO WILL SHEPHERD MY PEOPLE ISRAEL.'"
Then Herod secretly called the magi and determined from them the exact time the star appeared. And he sent them to Bethlehem and said, "Go and search carefully for the Child; and when you have found Him, report to me, so that I too may come and worship Him." After hearing the king, they went their way; and the star, which they had seen in the east, went on before them until it came and stood over the place where the Child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. After coming into the house they saw the Child with Mary His mother; and they fell to the ground and worshiped Him. Then, opening their treasures, they presented to Him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
And having been warned by God in a dream not to return to Herod, the magi left for their own country by another way. "

This is what Scripture clearly says about the wise men. There may not have been three but for sure three gifts. They found Jesus after a long journey...probably months and some scholars even think years. When they found Jesus He was no longer in the stable but a house (Matt 2:11)
So their journey took them far and long...they probably traveled with an army and definitely provisions for the journey which most likely included food, servants and animals. So when they entered Bethlehem, they would have been quickly noticed. As they traveled down the streets they asked everywhere "Where is the one who has been born King of the Jews" None could answer them...but the murmur of the city questioning "Who is this one who the Magi are asking about?" must have been heard in Herod's court. Herod's fear arose from this, because he was not in the true line of Jewish Kings. He was evil and ruthless. His position was given to him by Rome so a real Jewish King from the line of David posed a real threat. He more than likely, had heard of a coming King and knew he must be disposed of quickly.
The Magi, on the other hand, were eagerly searching for this King. They had little information, but they had enough that God stirred in them a desire to see and worship. They came fully prepared to give gifts and praise. They traveled a long way and a long time...their hearts must have been full with anticipation. They followed what little "light" was given to them until they reached the fullness of that source "The Light of the World".
I think it is interesting to look at these three types of people and see that the responses to Christ's coming are no different today.

Herod. He pretended to want to worship and yield his authority to this King. But in reality he wanted to remain in the throne. People are like that today...they won't relinquish their authority over their lives. They say "I am my own master" "It is my life and I won't have anyone tell me how to live it"
They may pretend to want to know about Christ but their lives are self-centered and prideful. They want to kill Christ because in their eyes He is a threat.

The Jewish people and Chief Priests. They had heard of the coming of their King. They had the Scriptures. They had a lot of knowledge about him. We see that because they came with the information to Herod. They told him that a ruler would come to shepherd the people of Israel. (Matt. 2:6) But they were to busy to move out of their comfort zone and find this King. They had all the head knowledge but no obedience. Their head was full but their hearts were empty. Today there are people like that. They hear the Gospel even know about Christ. But they are to busy with their own things to "Follow Him". They lack nothing in understanding who He is but they have no desire to seek Him fully.

The Magi. They had knowledge of Christ but it may be incomplete. Yet God moves their heart to leave everything behind and find the fullness of who He is. The magi had as much information as the Jewish people and they obediently followed as their minds and hearts lead. They persevered until they came to Christ. The light they found was the pure Shekinah Glory. That same Light lead the Israelites through to the Promised Land. This time it lead the Magi to the Promised Son.

This Christmas how will the world respond? I am sad to say the same way...Some will be angered and want to take Christmas out of our vocabulary. They will want to kill Christ. Others will be to busy to respond. They have busy lives and to much to do to leave and follow. But there will also be those who hear and follow that little bit of Light. Whether they hear it in a Christmas presentation, a friend shares the Good News or they go to Church, they will hear and follow that until they reach the fullness of His Glory.
Where do we fall? How can we, who know the fullness of the Light, share that with those who are in a journey? Those are important questions to ask.