Characters at the Cradle: The Wise Men, Bearing Gifts

by David Chadwick

Matthew 2:7-12 is where the story of the Wise Men continues.

After Herod heard of this Christ child they came to worship, Herod was troubled. While not exactly described with these words, one can assume that he grew in anger and jealousy at the thought of someone coming after his throne… especially a baby!

Herod’s desires were nefarious to the core. Verse 7 says that “Herod summoned the wise men secretly and ascertained from them what time the star had appeared.” He pretended to be an ally and told the Wise Men that he wanted to know exactly where in Bethlehem this child was born so that he could go and worship him as well. What a deceptive liar!

The Wise Men listened to Herod and then went on their way. They followed the star with great joy until it rested over the place where they would find the child. Seeing the star, “they rejoiced exceedingly and with great joy” (Matthew 2:10).

Verse 11 says they went “into the house.” Don’t you wonder whose house this was? Maybe some of Joseph's relatives? This verse implies that they were no longer in the manger. So, again, while not technically at the physical cradle, their lives had a divine intersection with the arrival of the Savior by way of a cradle in Bethlehem.

The Wise Men saw the child with Mary, and Scripture says they fell down and worshiped him. Even as a young child! They just knew! The profound reality of Jesus as Lord is seen all over this story. Traveling from Babylon, most likely from pagan backgrounds, they recognized whispers of the one, true God revealed in the stars and in this small child.

These Magi opened up their treasures and gave them to Mary. Gold. Frankincense. Myrrh. Precious commodities. Imagine Mary pondering all of this in her heart: Gabriel’s appearance, Elizabeth’s story, the birth of John, the shepherds’ visit, the words from Simeon and Anna, and now these Magi. Remember that in their purification ceremony all they had to offer were turtledoves and not a lamb? A symbol of poverty? Now they have boundless riches!

Thankfully, as we see in Matthew 2:17, the Wise Men were warned in a dream not to return to Herod. They had enough discernment to know Herod’s evil intent. So after finding the Christ child in Bethlehem, they did not do as Herod had asked and instead, protected the location of the Messiah and went home another way.

Let’s be like the Magi in these two ways. May we always recognize the presence of Jesus when we see it. And may we always steward and protect what God reveals to us, even in the face of intimidation, evil plots, and fear to do otherwise. And once we have discovered the Christ child, to go home a different way. Never again to walk in sin, but righteousness for He is righteous!