The Parthians' Pilgrimage

Good morning!

Some of you have already packed up your Christmas decorations.  I'm not judging, but that seems to be somewhat premature.  To each his own - - - but I like to enjoy the decorations as long as is...reasonable.  For me, that means putting things away sometime after New Year's Day.  Some of my Christian brethren (and "sisteren") wait until January 6th, Epiphany.  This day commemorates for some churches the visit by the Magi to the infant Jesus.

When I was about 21 I made a ceramic nativity scene.  My maternal grandmother loved working with ceramics and had a studio in her basement.  I can still see it and smell the various scents of the materials.  She guided me in the making of the figures from scraping ugly edges off the "greenware", choosing the colors for each one, and through the final spraying of glossy fixative.  The finished set has graced my home for more than 30 years, and it a treasured possession.  Present are the holy family, shepherds, sheep, cows, a donkey and (yes, you purists) three wise men with their camels. Yes, I know that the wise men and the shepherds were not simultaneously present in the stable.  Both biblical accounts collide in my nativity, and I'm perfectly fine with enjoying the beauty of what they represent, regardless.

On Christmas Eve, I think it was, my pastor was speaking of the Three Wise Men, who visited Jesus as a young child.  Such a strange story!  It only appears in Matthew 2.  The other gospels do not record it.  Grab your bibles and re-read the entire chapter.

Matthew says that these kings had come from The East, which most interpret to mean the Parthian Empire, a rival empire that Rome had not at Christ's birth defeated.  This empire was just to the east of what we commonly call The Holy Land.  Parthia was the region represented by our modern-day countries of Iran, Iraq and Turkey.  The predominant religion of that area was Zoroastrianism, and the society was very caste-like as it is in India today.  The Greek New Testament uses the word "magi" to describe these men.  The Greek word comes from the Persian word "magus", from which we get our English word,  "magician".  These men were apparently of the kingly, religious caste into which the Persian ruler, Zoroaster, was born.

These astrologers - - - men who studied the stars for indicators of God's plans for us on the earth - - - saw an unusual "star".  That's what they called it, and perhaps that is what it was.  There has been much speculation on that point.  At any rate, they associated this heavenly manifestation with the birth of a king, whom they traveled some great distance to meet.

Herod, who was at that time ruler over Judea (which included Bethlehem), was approached by these men who logically sought him out to help them in their quest.  Perhaps the Parthians thought that the king they sought would be Herod's son.  At any rate, Herod was horrified by their inquiries, although not so much as to be stupid about it.  The crafty monarch set a trap for both the wise men and the baby King as well.

Apparently, Jesus, Mary (and Joseph, although he is not mentioned as being present during the visit from the Magi) still lived at this time in Bethlehem.  Herod sent the Parthians to that small town where, aided again by the star, they located Jesus' abode.  There, they worshipped Him by bowing down and by giving gifts worthy of a king.  Gentile kings, from the rival kingdom next door, falling down in worship before the One yet unrecognized by His own people!  "The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light...." (Isaiah 7)

When it became plain to Herod that the wise men were not going to "report back", he went on a murderous rampage.  Out of fear that a rival, infant king was lurking around, he commanded that all baby boys, age 2 and under, be slaughtered.  (This was not the last time Herod would murder to keep his seat as ruler over Judea.  In fact, he murdered his wife and 3 of his own sons for the same reason.) Having been warned that danger was near, Joseph took Mary and Jesus and moved to Egypt for a time.

Simeon's prophecy was already coming true.  The coming of Messiah caused Satan to unload his arsenal of evil against Him.  Jesus, by His very presence, was already changing the world.  As evil as the Jewish "king" Herod was, his was an act that rejected Jesus.

Such an odd juxtaposition..."He came unto His own, but His own received Him not.  But, to as many as received Him, those who believed on His name, to them He gave the power to become the children of God..." (John 1:12)

Don't you wonder if those "wise men from the East" (3 of them or not) kept tabs on Jesus - - - his childhood, young adulthood, earthly ministry?  Were they, Gentiles, some of His earliest converts?

Like Herod, many today fear Jesus.  They fear His kingship, His reign on the throne of their lives. Some, through their rejection of Him go so far as to commit murder;  others choose to murder their own souls, for all eternity.

Still, Jesus' invitation stands:  "Come to me, all who work so hard, are tired and weighed down by life's troubles, and I will give you rest...."  (Matthew 11:28-29)  This invitation is for all people, no matter the choices, the rejections of the past.  Only He can offer divine peace and rest.

Good morning, Lord.  Thank you for this rainy Sunday when we can gather together with friends and loved ones, to worship You.  I am glad for Matthew's account of the men from Parthia, and am so intrigued by how You spoke to them through the heavens, how you used a heavenly body to lead them to Your Son.  You are an amazing God, and I bow before You in worship.  Please bind my heart to Yours, not just today, but every day.  That is the resplendent walk!  In Jesus' name, amen.