Were the wise men that wise?
The 6th January is traditionally Epiphany – the showing forth of the baby Jesus to the Wise men. This comes 12 days after the birth of Jesus, hence the carol “The Twelve Days of Christmas.”
It occurs later than the birth, when the emergency place where Mary gave birth, which was visited by the Shepherds, and which contained a manger (the Scripture never mentions a stable – it was probably a cave in the fields) had been replaced by a more permanent abode, “a house” (Matthew 2:11).
In the first century, the term ‘Magi’ referred to astronomers, fortune-tellers, or stargazers. Think horoscope experts. Think those who claim to tell the future by reading stars. There have been a number of astronomers who have revealed their computer calculations indicate that at the time there was a conjoining of two great planets and Chinese astronomers actually drew the occasion in a drawing that still exists.
The Magi are seemingly out of place in the story of the Incarnation of the Son of God. The Magi were not Jews, as are all the other players in the first Christmas story. The Magi were Gentiles. They represent the height of Gentile astronomy and superstition. In one sense they shouldn’t be there. They don’t worship the right God or adhere to the right religion or belong to the right race. They do not even know the scriptural prophecies, and didn’t realise they should never have sought advice from King Herod. And yet they are there.
It is possible, then (according to Mark Allan Powell, Chasing the Eastern Star, Westminster John Knox, 2001) that we should see the Magi as bungling astrologers – more like the Three Stooges than the Three Wise Men!
How wise were they when they go to the wrong place (Jerusalem not Bethlehem). They consult the wrong King (Herod not Jesus). They speak to the wrong person (resulting of many baby boys being killed). When they give their gifts, it’s gold, frankincense and myrrh, which were elements used in their magic and not at all suitable for a child of two impoverished people without permanent accommodation.
And yet, by a mysterious combination of God’s loving grace and their faithful seeking, they are there – as models seeking Jesus, believing in Jesus, and worshipping Jesus with what they have. God used what they knew – the stars – and gave them what they didn’t know – the Scriptures – to bring them to Jesus. And their expensive gifts were the means by which Joseph could take Mary and the Baby to the safety of Egypt to avoid the paranoid King Herod – gold being the international passport!
The story of the Magi shows us that God revealed the truth about Jesus to a bunch of pagan bunglers while those who were clever enough to work it out for themselves missed out. Their story reminds us that God shows His strength in our weakness, His glory in our humility, His wisdom in our folly – to make it clear that everything comes from Him and not from ourselves.
I love the insights of Epiphany!
Rev the Hon. Dr Gordon Moyes AC MLC