Wise Men still seek Jesus
The Gospel for this coming Sunday, when we will celebrate Epiphany, is Matthew 2:1-12. Our text is about the Wise Men from the East. These Gentiles probably came from Persia, Babylon, or Arabia. Their kind of wisdom was not always God-pleasing. (TLSB)
The Magi may have seen a natural astronomical phenomenon, but more likely the appearance of the star was a miraculous event (cf. 9). They may have linked the star with a Jewish king through acquaintance with OT prophecy. (TLSB)
The Magi knowing OT prophecy isn’t as far-fetched as it may sound. The Assyrians and the Babylonians (Eastern Lands) captured and carried off the brightest and the best Israelites to their own country. The Jews who went there carried with them scriptural knowledge and practiced their faith in this new land. It is very likely that they shared this with the Assyrian and Babylonian people. In this way the Assyrians and Babylonians would have learned about the promised Savior. (CC)
After Herod consulted with the religious leaders, he sent them to Bethlehem. The star the Magi had seen in their homeland now guided them from Jerusalem to the very house where Joseph, Mary, and Jesus were living (v. 11). God was obviously leading these Gentiles in their quest for the King of the Jews. (TLSB) God, too, has guided us to our Lord and King Jesus Christ.
Jesus says of himself: “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” (John 8:12) We, too, don’t always realize what is happening in our lives, but the Word of God (Jesus) points us in the right direction. It also comforts us when life is confusing and sometimes terrifying.
Prayer: Dear Lord Jesus, thank you for leading us to you. Help us to continue to seek you first and the righteousness that you can give us. Amen