Inspired by Moses’ “Choose Life…Choose Obedience” theme, we’re looking at the obedience of the characters of Christmas, beginning with Zechariah and Elizabeth, followed by Mary, Joseph, and the Shepherds. Today, the Wise Men.

Their story is told in its entirety in Matthew 2:

Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem, saying, “Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.” When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him; and assembling all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. They told him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for so it is written by the prophet: “‘And you, O Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for from you shall come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel.’” Then Herod summoned the wise men secretly and ascertained from them what time the star had appeared. And he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, “Go and search diligently for the child, and when you have found him, bring me word, that I too may come and worship him.” After listening to the king, they went on their way. And behold, the star that they had seen when it rose went before them until it came to rest over the place where the child was. When they 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 offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh. And being warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed to their own country by another way. (Matthew 2.1 – 12, ESV)

These men were likely descended from contemporaries of Daniel (see, for example, Daniel 2.48). I’ll write about them again on Epiphany in a couple of weeks, but for now let’s remind ourselves that we don’t know how many there were, and we don’t know exactly when they arrived (NOT with the shepherds on the day Jesus was born). For this series, we do know that they were obedient:

• They didn’t have the written word, but they followed the knowledge they did have at great expense and inconvenience.
• They worshipped Jesus and presented him gifts: acts of submission.
• When told not to return to Herod, “they departed to their own country by another way.”

For consider your calling, brothers: not many of you were wise according to worldly standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth. (1 Corinthians 1.26, ESV) – It says, “Not MANY” not “Not ANY.”