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Matthew 2:10-11
When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. On
coming to the house, they saw the child with his
mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped
him. Then they opened their treasures and
presented him with gifts of gold and of incense
and of myrrh.
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December
5
The Wise Men
We don't know much about the wise men except
that they came from the east. In all
likelihood, there weren't just three of them,
but many. Collectively, they brought with
them three gifts.
Likewise, the wise men probably did not arrive
on the night of Jesus' birth. They most
likely arrived some time later, either after
Mary and Joseph had returned home or when they
had found more permanent lodging because Mary
was unable to travel after giving birth.
We assume this because of the reference to a
house in verse 10.
Regardless of who the wise men were, or when
they actually arrived, their arrival is
important. These men recognize that
something important has happened in the world
and they want to pay respects to Jesus as king.
Jesus is King of the Jews, but He is also King
of the World. Jesus is not just the Savior
for the nation of Israel. Instead, Jesus
came to die for the sins of the entire world.
As the wise men come and present their gifts for
Jesus, they acknowledge that Jesus has been born
for them and not just the nation of Israel. |
