Many believers in Jesus are well acquainted with the traditional Christmas carol “We Three Kings of Orient Are” by John Henry Hopkins, Jr. What many might not realize is that the book of Matthew never specifies how many “wise men” there were—only that there were “some” (Matthew 2:1). The idea that there were three wise men developed over the course of church history, but that number isn’t universally accepted. In fact, Syriac Christian churches celebrate no less than twelve visitors from the east!
This isn’t the only interesting insight into the mysterious men that visited Jesus. Some admire them for their incredible knowledge. By observing the stars, they were able to determine that a great king of the Jews had been born (Matthew 2:2). But what’s truly amazing about the wise men is not only this knowledge, but also what it led them to do. They weren’t content to acknowledge that a king had been born. They set out on a journey of hundreds if not thousands of miles to Jerusalem—bearing kingly gifts over dangerous roads. Their knowledge drove them to action and to worship (Matthew 2:11).
It’s easy for me to think that knowing about God is enough. Far too often I find myself becoming content with spiritual insight, feeling happy that I’ve learned something new from Scripture. But the wise men remind us that true spiritual knowledge isn’t an end in itself. It’s supposed to draw us closer to Jesus our King. Just as the men “opened their treasure chests” and worshiped Jesus (Matthew 2:11), may we open our hearts, draw ever closer to Him, and worship at His feet today.
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: Acts 21:1-17
More:
Read Luke 2:14 and consider the knowledge and adoration contained in the words of the worshiping angels.
Next:
Do you ever find that spiritual knowledge has become an end in itself for you? How can you make sure your knowledge is drawing you closer to Jesus?
Gary Shultz on November 9, 2016 at 5:47 am
Well stated Peter! I would think most who come here enjoy gaining new perspective and understanding from these posts, but how true it is that in all things, God draws us closer to Himself. I also like that the “wise-men”, although not of Jewish descent, gained this knowledge, but they put everything into an opportunity to worship.
I wanted to make a small personal statement to you about your testimony video libraried by ODB. I just found it on the web and join you in thanksgiving of what the Lord has done in your family’s lives. Thank you for your humble acknowledgement of God’s hand and plan in the Chin family. Thanks Peter
Tom Felten on November 9, 2016 at 11:17 am
Thanks so much for referencing the video our ministry did with Peter, Gary. It can be viewed here: http://ourdailybread.org/story/peter/
gagirllive on November 9, 2016 at 2:33 pm
Thanks for sharing that link, Tom.
What a powerful testimony, Peter. So much of what you felt during that time resonates with me. I, too, felt that my faith was shipwrecked when the bottom fell out of my life a few years ago. I felt so unprepared, or maybe ill-prepared, I should say. My story hasn’t reached a “happy ending” like yours, but by God’s grace I am enduring and discovering more and more each day that God Himself is enough. I choose to believe Him no matter the outcome in this life. Ultimately, my happy ending will come. Rejoicing with you and your family, Peter. Continued blessings!
gagirllive on November 9, 2016 at 3:31 pm
Hi, again…I don’t mean to hi-jack the forum today nor turn us away from today’s topic, but I wanted to add that my desire and goal is not to find my “happy ending”in all of this. It is that Christ might be glorified through it…whatever the personal cost to me. That is my supreme desire. Believe me, it has taken me a while to get here. I didn’t learn any of this in Sunday School. 🙂 The classroom of adversity—of being in the crucible—has, and still is, teaching me more than I ever dreamed. Thanks for letting me share, friends.
sandy229 on November 9, 2016 at 3:46 pm
I appreciate everything you say GAgirl…….it really helps me more than you know and gives me encouragement. Sometimes I find that your thinking is so much like mine. Feel free to hi-jack the forum anytime!!
Shalom
gagirllive on November 9, 2016 at 3:59 pm
Thank you, dear Sandy. ♡
minkjh on November 9, 2016 at 5:01 pm
Be blessed, my Sister, and persevere. Rest assured that you have been sown in good soil and your fruit is yielding bountifully. We are all on the same life journey; one day on the mountaintop and the next in the valley. Though the valleys may overwhelm us, we claim the Living One as our eternal security. And best of all, He claims us (Rom 8:29-30).
gagirllive on November 9, 2016 at 5:12 pm
Amen, brother. Thank you.
godlove on November 10, 2016 at 1:55 am
Thank you gagirl, for sharing bits of your personal journey with us. It is inspiring and encouraging for me to learn about how longer sojourners than myself have had to deal with adversities and yet are still standing so strong. I admire how you have not let the personal difficulties in your life to separate you from God. Hey, our desire IS to find a “happy ending”, but even if that doesn’t come in this life, we all hope for it “at least” (which isn’t least at all) in the life to come. So be blessed dear sister, and keep being encouraged as you draw closer to Jesus our King.
gagirllive on November 10, 2016 at 7:34 am
Thank you for your kind words, godlove!
gagirllive on November 9, 2016 at 7:28 am
It’s interesting, Peter. The more I learn, the dumber I feel. 🙂 Sometimes I even say these words in my prayer—“Father, You are so awesome. I feel like I hardly even know You, but I’m so grateful to be known by You as one of Your very own.” It’s true. The point you make here is also true. Knowledge about God and His word isn’t the same as knowing Him, and knowledge doesn’t equal worship. Maybe I’m stuck in kindergarten, but it’s the basics that keep drawing me back to the feet of Jesus. He came for me. He died for me. He rose again for me. He’s preparing a place for me, and He’s coming back for me. Guess what? I’m still trying to wrap my head around that kind of love. 🙂 You know, it’s almost time to pull out the Christmas decorations. [Sigh] Anyway…one of my favorites is a little plaque that says, “Wise men still seek Him…and worship Him.” Thanks for bringing that truth to us today, Peter. And thanks for adding in that insight about the number of wise men. I always have to chuckle at the errors of the nativity scenes so commonly displayed at Christmastime—3 wise men gathered around baby Jesus at the manger scene. Matthew clearly tells us that they found the “child” (not infant) in a “house” (not stable). (Matt. 2: 11) A bit of un-trivia worth noting, I’d say. 🙂 A blessed day to you and all my sojourners!
sandy229 on November 9, 2016 at 1:46 pm
Yes, that is very interesting that they found “the child” in a house and not a manger. But then again, they couldn’t exactly call Uber for a ride, they walked.
gagirllive on November 9, 2016 at 2:13 pm
LOL….cute!
sandy229 on November 9, 2016 at 1:46 pm
I like that phrase too, Wise men still seek Him.
Tom Felten on November 9, 2016 at 8:37 am
Peter, I appreciate your emphasis on not simply knowing about God, but actually drawing ever closer to Him in relationship. Yes, the wise men endured hundreds if not thousands of miles on their difficult journey “over dangerous roads.” It must have been hard. It must have been difficult. But the end result was meeting the Savior of the world face to face. This encourages me to embrace the difficulties of our journeys through life—for in the valleys and hard places we experience the comfort, love, and grace of God in profound ways. Without the dark days we would never fully experience the welcoming light of God’s loving presence as He draws us ever closer.
youssef1777 on November 9, 2016 at 9:59 am
THANK YOU LORD FOR COMING TO MY LIFE TO SAVE ME . STAY WITH I AM FACING HARD TIME IN MY LIFE . BUT I TRUST IN YOU AND HAVE FAITH THESE THING WILL PASS . AND WILL GET BETTER .
sim jing ying on November 9, 2016 at 10:13 am
There is no end to spiritual knowledge for me. I will always read the Bible daily for spiritual knowledge to draw to Jesus Christ
sim jing ying on November 9, 2016 at 10:14 am
.*
minkjh on November 9, 2016 at 2:17 pm
I could not agree with you more, sim jing. For me the reading and studying of scripture has been a daily pursuit, one that has increased significantly since my retirement. While there are many fine commentaries on the Bible, I’m reminded what I was told years ago by a noted expositor of the Word…’the best commentary on the Bible is….the Bible’. Reading and studying have brought me a growing understanding of what, why, and who I believe, which translates into living a Christ-centered life and sharing the gospel. Jeremiah 20:9 clarifies how God’s word within us cannot be restrained.
sandy229 on November 9, 2016 at 2:25 pm
Amen!
sandy229 on November 9, 2016 at 2:26 pm
Yes, the righteous man does not find encouragement in others but in God’s Word.
sandy229 on November 9, 2016 at 2:36 pm
When we allow God to implement His Word in our lives others will draw encouragement from us and the more we grow in God’s righteousness, the stronger we become. We can only be a blessing to others when we follow God’s word and implement it into our lives. Simply knowing about the truths of God does not mean that they have become a part of our life. It’s only when we meditate on His Word day and night, we will be satisfied. Thanks Peter for this lesson today.