God is able to draw men from all cultures and religious backgrounds to faith in the true and Living God...
There is much folklore surrounding the magi who visited Jesus, but have you thought about the wonderful message they convey?
The Magi came from a pagan land with pagan gods. But they were seeking the true God, and they found Him.
Their role in the birth of Christ proves that God is able to speak to people in the midst of a pagan culture and bring them to Jesus.
God promises: "You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart" (Jeremiah 29:13).
When we see wise men in a nativity, let's remember this vision of eternity from Revelation 7:9-10:
"I looked, and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb... And they cried out in a loud voice: 'Salvation belongs to our God, who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb.'”
Now that's a message worth celebrating every Christmas.
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Merry Christmas!
ReplyDeleteAwesome thoughts here, Gail! Would that we who have grown up aware of Him would follow and worship!
ReplyDeleteHi Gail,
ReplyDeleteThis is so beautiful. As I was reading this I felt God covering me. I love it when that happens. Have a great year.
Debi @ Adorned From Above
So very special to hear this, Debi.
DeleteGod bless you!
Gail
So glad you mentioned the truth about the magi, they were involved in (magic) and still found Christ. We are taught that they were Godly men and thats not true. We need truth to know God
ReplyDeleteHi Sue.
DeleteActually, the word magi means wise men, not magic. The Bible doesn't tell us about their background, but it does tell us that they were seeking the true God and they found Him. They reveal to us that God can save anyone no matter what their background. And their story reveals their obedience to God's plan for them. So I think it is fair to call them godly. For more details, you might want to check out this resource: http://www.gotquestions.org/three-wise-men.html
I was told it was for magic. I want truth!!
ReplyDeleteHi Sue, I could have been more precise.
DeleteSometimes the word can mean someone involved in occult practices. In fact, in other places in Scripture it means just that. But regarding the Magi who visited Christ's birthplace, this is what Bible scholars write about the use of the word in Matthew 2:1-12:
In Matthew 2:1-12: "the Magi appear as "wise men"--properly Magians [not magicians] --who were guided by a star from "the east" to Jerusalem, where they suddenly appeared in the days of Herod the Great, inquiring for the new-born king of the Jews, whom they had come to worship. As to the country from which they came, opinions vary greatly; but their following the guidance of a star seems to point to the banks of the Tigris and Euphrates, where astronomy [not astrology] was Cultivated by the Chaldeans. ..Why should the new star lead these wise men to look for a king of the Jews? (1) These wise men from Persia were the most like the Jews, in religion, of all nations in the world. They believed in one God, they had no idols, they worshipped light as the best symbol of God..." from Smith's Bible Dictionary
So you are right that in some cases (perhaps most cases) the world Magi refers to men who practiced occult beliefs. But in this case, that is not the meaning.
But even if we didn't have this explanation from Bible scholars, we could be confident that the Magi were godly after meeting Christ because the Bible itself (our most accurate authority) tells us that the Magi worshiped Christ and gave Him gifts.
Sue, you say that you were told the Magi were involved in magic and they were not godly, but I want to challenge you to check everything someone tells you against the truth of Scripture and if you want to find out more about the words, use good Bible dictionaries and concordances. These resources are available free online. In fact, you don't need to accept what I've written here...check it out for yourself.
I hope this helps.
God bless you as you seek truth.
Gail
So many thoughts to unpack here. One of my favorite passages in literature is the very beginning of Ben Hur, where the magi are gathering together. Completely extra Biblical, by I love how it captures the faith of these people. Merry Christmas!
ReplyDeleteHi K.M.
DeleteI have always been blessed by watching Ben Hur even though I know it contains extra Biblical plots and thoughts. :)
I prefer it to some of the new Bible entertainment that not only contains extra Biblical info but also glaring cultural and historical errors.
I was surprised the first time I realized that the Bible doesn't say anything about 3 Magi, only 3 gifts, but then I realized the number isn't significant but the message of their visit is.
I pray you also have a wonderful Christmas, K.M.
Gail