Rejoicing: Wise Men

Matthew 2:2-12
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. 

Wise men or kings? In a way, it doesn't matter. They heard about a a great king, saw the star that proclaimed his arrival, and came to worship him. They did not refuse the call or make up an excuse. The journey was long and hard, and they made it. What was the cost to them? Did they leave family behind as Abraham did? Endure disparaging remarks the same as Noah? Did they spend all they had on the journey and the gifts? What were their lives like once they returned?

The story of the wise men is another example of the scandal incredulousness of the birth of Jesus. Instead of appearing to the highest and brightest of Jewish society, he came to the lowly (the shepherds) and the foreigners. People who were determined not to belong to the kingdom of God because of where they were born and their place in society. Yet, he came to them. They were the ones looking for his star, and when it appeared they went to where it shone. They found the king in a place where he was not expected and worshipped him. They rejoiced because they knew what his birth meant to them? What does Jesus' birth mean to you?

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