The wise men’s arrival was newsworthy to the community in this small village. Their dress, their speech, and their appearance drew the attention of the locals who stopped to pause and ponder.
Who were these men? And why, were they here, of all places? What were they searching for?
News of the foreigners’ presence traveled fast, even to the King Herod. He too, wanted to know more. He sent for these men, and asked them directly what they wanted.
Their answer shocked him. “Where is the one who has been born King of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.”( Matthew 2:2 NIV)
King Herod asked the Magi when exactly this star had appeared and then said, “Go and search carefully for this child. As soon as you find him, report back to me, so I too may go and worship him.” (Matthew 2:7-8 NIV)
After they had found Jesus and presented him with gifts, the wise men returned home via another route. “They did not go back to Herod, “having been warned in a dream.” (Matthew 2:12 NIV)
These wise men disobeyed a King!
I wonder as they left the area, how many times they glanced over their shoulders. Did their pulses accelerate with each step? What if the king’s men catch us ignoring the royal request?
The key to why they did this lies in Matthew 2:12. “Having been warned in a dream.”
These wise men were called wise men for a reason: they knew how to assess, how to think through, and how to execute actions that would serve them well. And people had taken notice. These men had a history of making wise choices, logical choices, choices that served them, and others very well. They knew how to do hard things. And they knew when to obey.
Then why disobey a king?
Because Someone with even greater authority had given orders. These wise men were astute enough to know Who has the ultimate authority. His commands supersede even those instructions of rulers.
I imagine they also knew that if they chose to disobey the king in an act of obedience to God, God would be with them each and every step of the way. He would not leave nor forsake them.
The wise men probably possessed that covenanted ideal of the Christmas season: peace. Even peace through tough times and in doing hard things.
Jesus’ birth and death were authored to reunite us with God , the Author of peace. When we are with Him, resting in His presence, we will know peace.
That doesn’t mean life’s circumstances will always be peaceful, or that we will be never attract attention from the opposition. Actually, the contrary is more likely true. But God will go with us.
He will stay with us.
And He will supply whatever we need to do as He’s called.
The wisemen’s role in the Christmas Story may seem small, but the lesson we can learn from them is significant: We will truly be at peace only when we walk in obedience with God.
I know that is a trail I sometimes struggle to stay on, even find. But He has marked the path clearly, when we choose to search. He promises to supply whatever we need, even faith, when we ask. Let’s ask Him for just that.
Prayer: Dear Lord, I want Your Peace. I thank You for the Wisemen’s example. Sometimes what You are calling me to is not what I have been instructed. Help me to hear You, obey You, and trust in You. In Jesus’s name, Amen.