When parents have a baby, particularly their first one, there is lots of pampering, joy and excitement But worship of the baby? Most likely not. Even the proudest parents, with unrealistic expectations that their baby will cure cancer, are unlikely to worship their child, or look to them as the fulfilment of a cosmic promise. The story of the Magi has many surprises.
The Magi existed in Persia, modern day Iran, in the 6th century BC, and they performed religious ceremonies and interpreted signs. From the fourth century the Magi were increasingly associated with astronomy and astrology. They were excellent mathematicians, philosophers, and historians. They made knowledge their business, and so were consultants of the ruling establishment. The Magi are often referred to as “kings”, because they were leaders, the kings of culture. Political kings bowed down before them, because the Magi were the most educated people of their day. To this end they strongly influenced the Persian culture. What’s surprising in Jesus’ birth, the Messiah to the people of Israel, is that it gets attention beyond the borders of Israel. These outsiders, the Magi, take a very dangerous, and unknown journey westwards, hoping to find a… baby. That’s surprising since babies are weak and powerless.
But even more surprising is that these Magi-kings, who wouldn’t bow to their own royalty, we remarkably read:
When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.
Matthew 2:10-11
It’s a matter of conjecture what happens to the Magi on their journey and how many of them there actually were. But it’s not conjecture to say that it is completely out of character for them to bow and give expensive gifts. These events in the Christmas story, tell us baby Jesus is not any baby. It’s a surprise for extremely wise, knowledgeable men, who bow to no-one, to risk danger and their life to come and prostrate themselves before this child. Their behaviour asks us, what risks, dangers and costs are we willing to give to Jesus too?
Yet the story of Christmas, is less about our human pursuit of God, but rather God’s surprising pursuit of humanity. God endures more dangers and limitations than the Magi in coming to earth. And ultimately in God’s pursuit of us, Jesus was prostrated on a shameful cross, so we could be redeemed. Jesus didn’t give us expensive gifts. He gave us his life, so we could have other gifts of security, forgiveness and love.
Have you been pursued in relationship, or pursued another in your love for them? How costly was this pursuit?
Simon Hill - Simon enjoys thinking and writing about theology, particularly seeing it become practical. His academic and professional experience has been in engineering, theology and ministry.
Photo by 一 徐: https://www.pexels.com/photo/shallow-focus-photography-of-yellow-star-lanterns-980859/
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