Why Were The Wise Men Wise?

We know very little about the Wise Men who travelled to Bethlehem to see the baby Jesus.  We know they came from the East, probably gentiles.  We know that they interpreted the stars.  They believed they were prophetic in some way.  They went across their world seeking the newborn King of the Jews.  It was Herod and the scholar in Jerusalem who interpreted their request as pointing to the promised Messiah.  We have no idea how many there were and there is no reference to camels in Matthews account.  We do know that they gave Jesus three gifts; gold, frankincense and myrrh.  They are not described as Kings but as Wise Men.  They did not arrive at a stable, but at a house, and there is no mention of any other visitors.  After all the story of Jesus’ birth does not mention a stable either, just a manger.  We have extrapolated great details from limited information in our telling of the Christmas story. 

Almost the only thing we know about them was that they were Wise Men from the East.  That might mean simply that they were educated, but I think the story suggests they were wise because of what they did.  We can only presume that God gave them the prophesy about Jesus birth in a way they could understand.  They were wise because they believed and had faith in what was revealed to them.  They were wise in that they “scientifically” set about testing their faith with inquiry.  They were wise because they followed their quest to its logical destination; they went to Jerusalem and Herod’s palace.  They were wise because they trusted the prophesy given by the scholars and they were wise because they looked for verification in the stars that had already guided them this far.  Thus they found the Christ child and even though he was in a humble home, their absolute faith meant that they had no doubt that Jesus was the promised King, so they wisely acted and presented their gifts.  Next they received a message from God by another strange, but more common method in the Bible.  They had a dream.  Again they trusted the message and followed the instructions God gave them. 

So the Wise Men were wise because when they had an experience of God’s revelation they had faith, but tested that faith.  Even though the messages came to them in unusual ways for us to accept, the verification of their experience proved to them that it was the truth.  So they acted on their faith at every turn.  They completed their mission and presented their gifts as an act of recognition, commitment and worship.  They were obedient at every turn.  These men went home rejoicing, believing, worshipping, with unquestioning faith in their new King.  A truth they would take home with them.  An experience they would never forget and as Wise Men would share with anyone who would listen.  Their story is told because they are wise and to provide an example for us to follow.

Adrian.