Why did I begin by introducing this idea of the different types of Christians? Because there are many ideas connected to the birth of Jesus that are simply not found in the Bible! There is much regarding Christ's nativity which is wrapped up in tradition, folklore and custom. Most people today honestly can't tell what is real and biblical on the one hand, and what has been added by men over the centuries on the other hand. Most people today are so locked into following the traditions of their culture, they don't really care if something is biblical or not. We at BibleStudy.org hope you do care about what the Bible teaches, and are willing to change your beliefs and practices when you see what the
Bible really has to say, just as we have done.
You have noticed that the idea of "three wise men" is not actually mentioned in the Bible. If that idea is not biblical, what should you do with it? If any other idea you may have learned is not biblical, what should you do about it? We suggest you begin by knowing when an idea or doctrine comes from a source other than the Bible. When an idea or understanding is actually taught in the Bible, you should pay close attention. If the Bible does not teach a particular doctrine, or teaches the opposite of what you may have learned from others, the prudent thing to do would be to listen to what God is trying to tell you through His Bible.
Of course, the number of wise men is a very small thing. But God may be opening up your mind, little by little, pointing out one tiny error in "the Christmas story," and watching to see what your reaction is. If you show God you wish to learn His truth and move away from error, God will probably show you another little truth, then another. What you do with that information will determine what God does next in His growing relationship with you. Will you move closer to the great God of the universe, and learn His truth from His Book?
We must remember that Jesus Christ, the Savior of the world, really was born in Bethlehem long ago. That part is not custom and tradition. The story
is found in the Gospel of Matthew. This is where we find the account of the wise men visiting the Baby who would be King. And, as you rightly pointed out, the Bible does not state there were three of these men.
We can read the story in Matthew 2:1-12:
"After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, 'Where is the
one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him.' When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him. When he had called together all the people's chief priests and teachers of the law, he asked them where the Christ was to be born. 'In Bethlehem in Judea,' they replied, 'for this is what the prophet has written: "But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for out of you will come a ruler who will be the shepherd of my people Israel."
'" Then Herod called the Magi secretly and found out from them the exact time the star had appeared. He sent them to Bethlehem and said, ‘Go and make a careful search for the child. As soon as you find him, report to me, so that I too may go and worship him.' After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen in the east went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. 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 and of incense and of myrrh. And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route."
We can see a few things from this story:
-
The men did not appear on the day and hour of Jesus' birth, but afterward, and they did not go to a manger in a stable, but to a house where Mary and
Jesus were staying;
-
These were not simply wise men, or educated scholars, or local rulers, but "Magi";
-
The star had appeared at a certain time, and it moved independently, leading them to Bethlehem and stopping over the very house where Mary and the
Baby were staying;
-
There were three gifts listed, but that doesn't mean there were three Magi present – the number of Magi is not mentioned, nor is it really
important.
Who were the Magi? No one really knows with certainty. Whoever the Magi were, they were important enough to gain an immediate audience with
King Herod! You can read the thoughts of the eminent scholar Alfred Edersheim on the Magi's visit of Jesus, from his major work The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah, and accessing Book 2, Chapter 8. Wesley White also explores into this matter in his article, " The Untold Story
of Jesus' Birth" . Was the star Halley's Comet? Not likely, since it appeared at a certain time, then moved to a position over a particular house in Judea, showing without question where the Magi were to visit. No star, comet, or other celestial body could do that!
The three gifts mentioned -- gold, incense, and myrrh -- were traditional gifts given to kings by visitors. The meanings of those gifts can often be found in articles which appear in newspapers and magazines every December, as can many other facets of the various Christmas customs and traditions.
There is much more which can be said about the Christmas holiday season, the things people do to observe it, and what God's feelings are about it. We suggest you also review the articles below for more information on this important Biblical topic:
Answer Given By: Jack Lane
|
