Outsiders Insights
Adoration of the Magi. Bartolomé Esteban Murillo (1617–1682) Dulwich Picture Gallery
Magi Seek the King
2 After Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of King Herod, magi from the east arrived unexpectedly in Jerusalem, 2 saying, “Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we saw His star in the east and have come to worship Him.”
3 When King Herod heard this, he was deeply disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him. 4 So he assembled all the chief priests and scribes of the people and asked them where the Messiah would be born.
5 “In Bethlehem of Judea,” they told him, “because this is what was written by the prophet:
6 And you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,
are by no means least among the leaders of Judah:
because out of you will come a leader
who will shepherd My people Israel.”
7 Then Herod secretly summoned the magi and asked them the exact time the star appeared. 8 He sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search carefully for the child. When you find Him, report back to me so that I too can go and worship Him.”
9 After hearing the king, they went on their way. And there it was—the star they had seen in the east! It led them until it came and stopped above the place where the child was. 10 When they saw the star, they were overjoyed beyond measure. 11 Entering the house, they saw the child with Mary His mother, and falling to their knees, they worshiped Him. Then they opened their treasures and presented Him with gifts: gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
12 And being warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their own country by another route.
God speaks the language of Outsiders
I find this story and its inclusion in the gospel intriguing. The magi, from the east, cultural outsiders, were unlikely to be an acceptable witness to anything concerning God among orthodox Jews, or the early followers of Jesus.
The story is also problematic for many due to the behaviour of the star being at odds with modern astronomy. Yet here we find against contemporaneous religious orthodoxy and modern scientific thinking – magi, ancient astrological academics, likely Zoroastrians from Persia, having insider knowledge, seeking and finding the child born King of the Jews. They respond to signs and symbols that they understand. Their journey has not been without effort - they have traveled 1000kms or more. They come to offer worship, their finest wealth and are “overjoyed beyond measure” when the star that their astrological arts uncovered reveals their journeys’ end.
The news they bring, that the King of the Jews is born, disturbs and confronts Jerusalem. Ironically Jerusalem, the political, religious and institutional epicenter is completely unaware of God’s plan unfolding in the midst of the nation. On hearing of the birth of the new King, Herod’s immediate response is oppositional (and murderous we later learn).
When God wishes to get our attention, he is prepared to speak in symbols and language with which we are familiar – even using the astrology of ancient Persia. God had already spoken to the people of Jerusalem; among other facts, they knew where the Messiah King would be born. But they were not attentive to what God was doing in their midst. It required outsiders to bring the insight that King Jesus, God’s agent to fix brokenness and restore joy, peace and wholeness has now arrived.
May we be attentive and respond to God as He speaks to us again this Christmas.
Merry Christmas and Peace to all.