From time to time Governments appoint committees or task forces of suitably qualified ‘experts’. It’s nothing new. In Biblical times kings would gather round them learned people to advise them.
The mysterious ‘magi’ who turned up after Jesus was born were probably not actual kings but likely royal advisors. These were the scientists and experts of the day, clever, knowledgeable people. Traditionally they’re called ‘the wise men’.
They arrived from the east, we’re not told exactly where but east of Jerusalem is the direction of Babylon and Persia. Why would people from there travel west looking for a king?
Well one of their classic textbooks would have been the writings of Daniel, a famous wise man who was originally a prisoner of war from Israel, 600 years earlier. Daniel was famous not just for surviving a night in the lions’ den but for accurately predicting things that humbled powerful emperors like Nebuchadnezzar and Belshazzar. We can still read today in the Bible visions he was given predicting a global ruler whose kingdom would never end.
When these eastern professors, following the science of their day, noted an extraordinary phenomenon in the night sky they concluded (correctly as it turned out) it was a sign from the God of Heaven. The ‘Ancient of Days’ was on the move. The kingdom foretold by Daniel was at hand.
I rather like the fact that Albert Einstein, while not a conventionally religious man, nevertheless refused to follow the beliefs of atheists. Einstein observed way too much mathematical precision in the universe and expressed admiration for whoever or whatever is behind it.
If Einstein seems a little last century look up South Korean scientist Young Hoon Kim, reputedly holder of the highest IQ in the world (276!) who not only believes there's a God but that Jesus is God's Son, 'the Way, the truth and the Life'.
You don’t have to be a genius to acknowledge the obvious. Sensible people believe in a Creator. Given the chance, wise people come seeking Him, willing to trust and serve Him as their Lord and King.
We would be wise to follow their example.
To bring a gift of gold is to acknowledge Jesus as King, Ruler and Judge over everything.
To bring incense recognises Him as divine, worthy of our worship.
To bring myrrh, a spice used in embalming, expresses trust in Him as One Who would lay down His life to atone for His people. As such we owe Him our thanks, loyalty and love.
Another Christmas, another opportunity to be wise, another occasion to kneel in submission and worship Christ the Lord.
The mysterious ‘magi’ who turned up after Jesus was born were probably not actual kings but likely royal advisors. These were the scientists and experts of the day, clever, knowledgeable people. Traditionally they’re called ‘the wise men’.
They arrived from the east, we’re not told exactly where but east of Jerusalem is the direction of Babylon and Persia. Why would people from there travel west looking for a king?
Well one of their classic textbooks would have been the writings of Daniel, a famous wise man who was originally a prisoner of war from Israel, 600 years earlier. Daniel was famous not just for surviving a night in the lions’ den but for accurately predicting things that humbled powerful emperors like Nebuchadnezzar and Belshazzar. We can still read today in the Bible visions he was given predicting a global ruler whose kingdom would never end.
When these eastern professors, following the science of their day, noted an extraordinary phenomenon in the night sky they concluded (correctly as it turned out) it was a sign from the God of Heaven. The ‘Ancient of Days’ was on the move. The kingdom foretold by Daniel was at hand.
I rather like the fact that Albert Einstein, while not a conventionally religious man, nevertheless refused to follow the beliefs of atheists. Einstein observed way too much mathematical precision in the universe and expressed admiration for whoever or whatever is behind it.
If Einstein seems a little last century look up South Korean scientist Young Hoon Kim, reputedly holder of the highest IQ in the world (276!) who not only believes there's a God but that Jesus is God's Son, 'the Way, the truth and the Life'.
You don’t have to be a genius to acknowledge the obvious. Sensible people believe in a Creator. Given the chance, wise people come seeking Him, willing to trust and serve Him as their Lord and King.
We would be wise to follow their example.
To bring a gift of gold is to acknowledge Jesus as King, Ruler and Judge over everything.
To bring incense recognises Him as divine, worthy of our worship.
To bring myrrh, a spice used in embalming, expresses trust in Him as One Who would lay down His life to atone for His people. As such we owe Him our thanks, loyalty and love.
Another Christmas, another opportunity to be wise, another occasion to kneel in submission and worship Christ the Lord.
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