After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, “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 2:1-2

Wisdom, as Scripture usually defines it, is entirely derived from knowing and following God and studying his Law and the teachings of those who came as prophets, chief among those being Jesus. But what about insights that God gives to those who do not know him so that they may come to know him?

The magi, probably astrologers of the Zoroastrian religion from the former Persian Empire, perhaps Iran itself, saw the same star in the sky that the Jews in Palestine saw. Their understanding of the star of Bethlehem was better than that of Harod’s counselors, because if they had noticed, they would not have waited to act.

This was a sign for those magi from God. For them, it was a chance to honor the new king with kingly gifts. For God, it was a chance show the boy Jesus’ parents another sign of who their son was and would be. For us, it is a lesson in opportunities; people may come looking for God at unlikely signs and on unsanctioned paths. We must be ready to show them Jesus when they arrive.

Ethan Kirl