When they [the Magi] saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. And going into the house they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they presented him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh. Matt. 2:10-11
Lord Jesus, whether they were kings, magicians, or astrologers and whether there were two, three, or seventeen of them, it doesn’t really matter. The Magi were wise men, and they show us the way of true wisdom because they lead us to you—the incarnation and personification of true wisdom.
The understanding of sages and profound insights from the ages would never do. A new book of morals or a Biblical version of Aesop’s Fables could not begin to meet our need for wisdom. Our foolishness and folly are so great, we needed you to become for us our “wisdom from God”—that is, “our righteousness and sanctification and redemption” (1 Cor. 1:30). You don’t just tell us about life, you are the way, the truth and life itself (John 14:6). Lord Jesus, you are the one true Wise Man.
The big story and punch line in life isn’t, “Wise men still seek him.” The biggest story in life, and all of history, is that you still seek foolish men and women like us, like me. You are the real seeker in the story of the Magi. What you seek, you find. Every door you knock on, opens up. Everything you ask of the Father is given to you.
The story of the Magi is a glorious celebration of sovereign grace. The promises of your coming and an irrepressible calling, a providential star and a Spirit-generated joy—how we praise you for drawing men and women to yourself from every period of history, every family of humanity, and every segment of society. Come Herod or high water, those you’ve come to save will come to you, Jesus.
As this year winds down and a new year peeks over the horizon, my prayer is quite simple, Lord Jesus, Please reveal more and more of your glory and grace to my heart. Following the example of the Magi, I want to bow quicker and lower before you, with exceedingly great joy. Open the eyes of my heart a bit wider to behold the great hope to which you’ve called us in the gospel. Deepen my adoration of you, Jesus, and loosen my grip on my so-called treasures. I have nothing that you haven’t given me. I am a steward, not an owner; a fool in myself, but the wisdom of God in you. Hallelujah, many times over. So very Amen I pray, in your most wise and worthy name.
