"What A Gift"

The Journey of the Wise Men: Three Responses to the King

The nativity scene sits beautifully in churches and homes each Christmas season—Mary, Joseph, the baby Jesus, shepherds, and those three familiar figures we call the "wise men" or "three kings." But what if much of what we assume about these mysterious visitors isn't quite accurate? And more importantly, what can their journey teach us about how we respond to Christ today?

Who Were These Travelers?

First, let's clarify: Scripture never tells us there were three wise men, nor does it call them kings. What we know is that they brought three types of gifts—gold, frankincense, and myrrh—and they came from "the east." These weren't royalty making a diplomatic visit; they were scholars, learned men who studied the stars and searched for wisdom.

The most compelling evidence suggests these wise men came from the region of ancient Babylon or Persia—modern-day Iraq and Iran. Why would educated men from that distant land travel hundreds of miles to find a Jewish child?

The answer lies in an unexpected connection: the prophet Daniel.

A Prophetic Legacy

Over 500 years before Christ's birth, when Nebuchadnezzar conquered Jerusalem, a young Hebrew man named Daniel was taken captive to Babylon. Through God's divine wisdom, Daniel interpreted the king's dreams when no other wise man could. As a result, Nebuchadnezzar appointed Daniel as chief over all the wise men of Babylon.

Daniel didn't just interpret dreams—he taught. He would have instructed these Babylonian scholars in Hebrew scriptures, including prophecies about a coming Messiah. Generation after generation, these teachings would have been passed down among the wise men of the east.

What exactly did Daniel teach them to look for? A star.

The prophet Balaam, centuries before Daniel, had proclaimed: "There shall come a Star out of Jacob, and a Scepter shall rise out of Israel" (Numbers 24:17). This wasn't just any star—it would announce the birth of a king holding a scepter, the ancient symbol of complete and unbroken authority.

The Significance of the Scepter

A scepter represented absolute royal authority. When a king extended his scepter, as King Xerxes did to Queen Esther, it meant welcome, favor, and the granting of requests. A broken scepter meant broken authority. But an intact scepter in the hand of a king meant power, dominion, and rule.

The prophecy went even deeper. Jacob, blessing his son Judah, declared: "The scepter shall not depart from Judah...until Shiloh come" (Genesis 49:10). The Lion of the tribe of Judah would hold the scepter. This King would rule not just for a lifetime, but for eternity.

These wise men had been taught to watch for the star that would announce this King of Kings.

The Journey to Worship

When the wise men finally saw that prophesied star, they didn't hesitate. They traveled for weeks, possibly months, following its light. By the time they arrived, Jesus was no longer a newborn babe in a manger—He was a young child, perhaps one to two years old, living in a house with Mary.

The gifts they brought were profoundly symbolic:

Gold represented kingship—the most precious metal given to honor royalty. Jesus is the eternal King.

Frankincense was used by priests in temple worship, producing a sweet aroma when burned. Jesus is our High Priest, interceding for us.

Myrrh was used for embalming the dead. Jesus is our Savior, who would die for our sins.
In three gifts, the wise men proclaimed the complete identity of Christ: King, Priest, and Savior.

Three Responses to Christ

The account in Matthew chapter 2 reveals three distinct responses to the news of Christ's birth—and each one mirrors how people respond to Jesus today.

Indifference: The Apathetic Heart

When the wise men arrived in Jerusalem asking about the newborn King, Herod consulted his own scholars—priests and scribes who knew the Hebrew scriptures intimately. They quickly quoted the prophecy: "In Bethlehem of Judea, for thus it is written by the prophet."

But then? Nothing. These religious experts told Herod where the Messiah would be born, yet they didn't bother to travel the short distance to Bethlehem themselves. They had head knowledge without heart transformation. They were unmoved, apathetic, indifferent.

This strikes uncomfortably close to home. How many of us have become so familiar with the gospel that it no longer moves us? We sing worship songs without worshiping. We hear God's Word preached without being changed. We know the right answers but lack the fire in our hearts.

The book of Revelation warns the church of Laodicea about being "lukewarm"—neither hot nor cold. God says He would rather we be completely cold than lukewarm, because lukewarm Christians do the most damage. They look like the world, act like the world, yet claim to follow Christ.

If apathy has crept into your spiritual life, it's time for repentance and change. Ask God to reignite your passion. But don't stop there—change your routines and habits. What you're currently doing has led to where you currently are. If you want different results, you need different actions.

Hostility: The Resistant Heart

King Herod's response was violent hostility. Threatened by the news of a rival king, he plotted murder. When the wise men didn't return to report Jesus's location, Herod ordered the killing of all male children two years old and under in Bethlehem.

Some people respond to Christ with anger and resistance. Perhaps bitterness over life's hardships has created hostility toward God. When His Word convicts, they rebel: "I will not, because of what You allowed in my life."

God understands our anger—He's big enough to handle it. But He won't leave us there. Healing begins with honesty before God, asking Him to remove the bitterness and help us move forward.

Worship: The Surrendered Heart

The wise men's response was worship. After their long journey, they entered the house, saw the child with Mary, and "fell down and worshiped Him." They opened their treasures and presented their gifts.

This is the response God desires—hearts fully surrendered in worship. In Revelation 5, we get a glimpse of eternal worship: multitudes upon multitudes surrounding the throne, singing, "Worthy is the Lamb who was slain!"

The Christ child these wise men worshiped grew up to be the Lamb who was slain, who redeemed us to God by His blood. He is the Lion of Judah holding the eternal scepter. He rules with complete authority, and for believers, this is our greatest comfort.

Your Response Today

As another year ends, it's time to ask: How am I responding to Christ?

Have you become indifferent, going through religious motions without passion? Are you harboring hostility, holding God at arm's length because of pain? Or are you, like the wise men, willing to journey far, sacrifice much, and bow low in worship?

The wise men brought gold, frankincense, and myrrh. What will you bring to the King? Your surrender, your service, your whole heart?

The same Jesus who was worthy of their worship is worthy of yours today.