Weekly Devo: The Journey to Bethlehem - To Those Far Away

Read Matthew 2:1-12.

We don’t send letters and cards much anymore. We have instant communication tools. We save money, but are we losing the personal touch? Many who are “far away” have to pay attention to see the news coming across our social media feeds.

As we gaze into the manger scene once again, we see that the figurines that have now found their way to the display are the Wise Men, those from far away!

I like what was written by Daniel McCoy:

“The wise men have been a source of inspirational sayings (“Wise men still seek Him”), narrative fiction (e.g., Martin Sheen’s The Fourth Wise Man), and even jokes: 'Why did the wise men smell like smoke? It’s because they came from afar.' A wise guy even suggested that the wise men should have been replaced by the wise women: they would have arrived on time, spruced up the nativity scene, and brought sensible gifts for an infant, including diapers.” (Renew)

Who are these Wisemen anyway?

According to Got Questions, “Tradition says that there were three and that their names were Gaspar/Caspar, Melchior, and Balthasar/Balthazar, but since the Bible does not say, we have no way of knowing whether the tradition is perfectly accurate.”

Nevertheless, we know that they came from a great distance. How many were there? We really don’t know, but we assume three because there were three gifts given. The Christmas hymn, though not inappropriate, does give us a clue as to where they’re from. It indicates from the Orient. It being a very distant journey for them, likely 500 miles.

It would’ve taken them a long time to come and pay their respects and allegiance to a king.

We can also gain understanding that they were a community, not just three individuals. They would’ve traveled with all of their goods and servants, and likely wives and children. Somewhat nomadic, yet they represented many nationalities.

I like what was noted in some of my research this week because their presence “...emphasized that God's redemptive plan was not limited to a particular community or ethnicity but extended to all nations.” - Britt Mooney

We can also draw from our understanding of history and that time period that they were likely traders who would come to a new king and establish a new deal for their spices and gold in particular. Gold would not have been found naturally in the region of Galilee, nor would it have been found in Persia. It would’ve been much more distant than a neighboring region.

We can also assume that they would’ve had some context of understanding Rome and their form of government and their ruling over the province that included Galilee.

Their journey would’ve been not only a great distance but of significant danger. Warring parties who would’ve fought diligently for their goods and people their servants put them at risk. Herod, the tyrannical dictator, would’ve also presented a significant risk for them.

These nomadic people were certainly known throughout history and era. Early writers on church history would’ve given us a clue as to who these people truly were, but tradition seems to take over and accurate information may be hard to find today. Thus, we have them appearing in the manger… Helping to blur our knowledge and understanding.

Certainly, they are connected to Jesus’ birth, but they would’ve come at a later time and likely not to a major, but to a home. It could’ve been a year or more after Jesus was born that you would find these powerful, influential, and wealthy people coming to give gifts to welcome a king!

It is interesting to think about all that has been written about these nomadic people. Their introduction into the major scene presents a considerable challenge, and we have to depend upon tradition and early writers to help us understand.

What led them to Bethlehem? Likely, they were families with Jewish teachings as well as many other religious groups. They were also familiar with the mapping of stars. The Star of Bethlehem would have been most interesting because it appears as a new star (note what they said to Herod: “noticed the star and came to welcome a new king.”)

“It’s been difficult figuring out exactly what it was in the sky that led the Magi to Judea. Some proposals: the concurrence of Saturn and Jupiter, Halley’s Comet, a Nova (exploding star), an angel (for the association of angels and stars, see Job 38:7; Dan. 8:10; Rev. 8:10-11). Whatever it was they saw in the East got them to Judea, and when they set out from Jerusalem to Bethlehem, it guided them, moving and stopping over where Jesus and his family stayed.” (Renew.org)

These Wisemen would have also sought Truth! They were very knowledgeable and yet were seeking TRUTH!

These Wise Men would have also known the price for seeking the King. They counted the cost! They made provisions to travel once the star appeared in the sky!

Their worship was authentic and genuine. They were humble enough to realize that something GREAT had happened! They were looking for a royal king—thus traveling to the center of power first and visiting with Herod.

Again we turn to the article from the Renew website:

As for the gifts, “All three gifts are ordinary offerings and gifts gift for a king. Myrrh is commonly used as an anointing oil, frankincense as a perfume, and gold as a valuable.”

“The symbolism tied into the three gifts (e.g., ‘Myrrh is mine; its bitter perfume breathes a life of gathering gloom; sorrowing, sighing, bleeding, dying, sealed in the stone-cold tomb’) can be exaggerated. For example, although myrrh was used at Jesus’ death (Mark 15:23) and burial (John 19:39), in the Old Testament, myrrh had a romantic connotation (Pr. 7:17).”

They took great risks—knowing the dangers that lay ahead for them.

Yet, we can learn something from their travels and from their gifts. In general, we learn about beliefs. These Wisemen would have known many beliefs and systems of religion yet, they sought after this king, Jesus. 

Belief will GUIDE YOUR WORSHIP.

What do you pay attention to? What keeps you from getting close to the Savior?

It is our belief that keeps us from knowing greater Truth. We remain distant from true worship because of what we believe.

Belief will GUARD YOUR WAY.

What distracts you from knowing God fully? What do you depend upon for knowledge to help you discern the direction and choices you make?

It is our belief that keeps us out of danger! Belief is a guard to your heart! It is a guard to your actions!

Belief will GROW YOUR WONDER.

Do you look for miracles? Do you let your mind wander? What keeps you from that childlike wonder?

It is in our belief that we find curiosity. It is in our belief that we hold to the incredible and live out our potential in faith through Christ. We become stalled and forget to look up to the stars for wonder and curiosity!

The journey to Bethlehem was a long trip for the Wisemen. They came from far away. Yet, the Wise Men we read about in Matthew 2 had to travel a great distance to see Jesus. They carried everything they needed for the journey—there were no Starbucks for coffee and muffins or the local coffee shop like J&J’s where I get gas fill-ups. 

They would have protected their treasures most! Why? They were meant to be given away to a worthy cause—a king!

While Herod said he wanted to come and worship, he actually was jealous and wanted to kill his competition. A baby threatened a powerful empire! Yet the Wisemen kept their secret from him and travel east from Bethlehem another way! 

What do we bring with us to church what will we leave behind?

We bring our selfishness….

We bring our troubles….

We bring our gifts….

We bring our vulnerabilities….

We bring our sufferings….

What do we need yo surrender?

I cannot visit this theme without helping us to look ahead! The new year is days away. It is a time when we hit reset or halt bad habits. It is a time when we make resolutions.

In Matthew 24 & 25, we know of the teachings of Jesus that offered us signs to look for the coming Messiah. Jesus will come again! This time to judge the world!

These signs are:

“... widespread deception, wars, famines, earthquakes, persecution of believers, and the global preaching of the Gospel, culminating in cosmic disturbances (darkening sun/moon, falling stars) and the visible 'Sign of the Son of Man' in the sky, followed by His glorious return and judgment, illustrated through parables like the ten virgins, talents, and sheep/goats, all emphasizing watchful readiness, faithful stewardship, and compassionate living.” (Footnoted by AI Google, summarized by prompt - “the signs from Matthew 24 and 25”)

There are signs that the Wise should be looking for today!

I was thinking and writing this week, and this thought came to me about the Wise Men: “Although their (Wise Men) timing was off and voices out of tune, yet,  their heart was pure and their worship was authentic.” (Personal thought journaled.)

What roads have you traveled that were rough and steep? What threats have you faced? What destinations have you traveled that were worth the trouble?