Matthew 2:12
12 And having been warned [by God] in a dream not to go back to Herod, the magi left for their own country by another way.
The wise men from the East, that is what called them. They had come from a far and traveled a long distance being guided by a start to Jerusalem to see this baby who had been born king of the Jews. Interesting how these men from a far off knew what was happening yet many in Jerusalem had no idea. One of my favorite bumper stickers reads “Wise men still seek Him!” That is so true even today. When you seek God out of a genuine heart, he will guide you and He will reveal Himself to you.
The Magi’s visitation is similar to Josephs because it comes in the form of a dream and it is a warning because there is trouble ahead. When they show up in Jerusalem, the wise men first end up in Herod’s palace and Herod sends them off telling them “Go and search carefully for the Child; and when you have found Him, report to me, so that I too may come and worship Him.” But this was a lie because Herod felt threatened and he wanted to kill the baby.
After they have found the baby God warns the wise men not to return to Herod and so they leave for their country using another route. The baby also did get a visitation from the Shepherds who were first told about the baby when he was born and now the wise men.
The wise men did not come empty handed; they came bearing gifts befitting a king though Jesus was still a baby. For them, they were coming to see a king and they came prepared for that. Not only did they present Him with gifts, they also worshiped Him. This reminds me of a question Jesus asked Peter; “Who do men say I am?” and then again making it personal He asked “But who do you say that I am?” The same question is asked of each and every one of us today. When we come before Him, who de we say He is? If He is the king of Kings and Lord of Lords, how should we come before Him? What manner of gifts do we bring before him?
The best and most important gift you can bring before Him is your life. Giving Him your life just as He laid down His life for you, now that’s a gift befitting a King!
