The wise men. We hear about them often this time each year, in Christmas carols and productions. We find them littering nativity scenes of all shapes and sizes. But how much do we really understand about these men?
If you’re like most, this is likely the extent of your knowledge: the wise men followed a star from the east to Bethlehem. They worshipped Jesus by bringing gifts of frankincense, gold, and myrrh.
But there’s so much more to their story. The wise men were scholars. They were intelligent and wealthy, spending their days studying with the best and brightest teachers. So, when these men saw the star, they remembered what the prophet Daniel had taught—that when the Messiah was born, a star would lead people to Him. This is why, like true wise men, they followed it.
There was another man who had access to the same research. He was also intelligent and wealthy. His name was King Herod, and he approached Jesus’ birth much differently. He took it as a threat to his throne.
What a contrast! And do you know what this contrast tells us? That we can have knowledge about who Jesus is. We can have a historical, theological, and eschatological understanding of the Messiah. We can know that Jesus came, but still not understand why He did.
This reality ignites a deep passion within me to see every person in my circle understand the reason for Jesus’ birth.
The apostle Paul felt this same passion. That’s why he urged Timothy in 2 Timothy 2:8: “Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead… This is my gospel.” The Greek word used for remember here means to be mindful of something in such a way that it moves you to action. He wanted Timothy to seek—just like the wise men did.
Just like I pray you do, too.
Later, Paul gave us the answer to our seeking—the reason Jesus came.
Ephesians 2:1-5 says, “As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. All of us also lived among them at one time… by nature deserving of wrath. But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved.”
This is the why of Christmas—that Jesus came to save us from spiritual death. He came to set us free from satanic dominion, and He came to restore blessing sin threatened to keep us from. What an incredible gift!
So friend, this Christmas, will you seek like the wise men sought? Will you strive to understand for yourselfwhy Jesus came?
If you will, I’m confident you’ll discover this most beautiful truth: His why was you.
