Living Out the Magi's Example as Followers of Jesus
The Magi, often translated as "wise men" in the Authorized Version, were originally a class of priests among the Persians and Medes. They served as the king's privy council and practiced astrology, medicine, and occult natural science [1]. While the Old Testament mentions the term only twice incidentally [1], their appearance in the New Testament narrative of Jesus' birth offers a model for followers of Jesus.
Following Jesus involves more than intellectual understanding; it requires a willingness to forgo normal comforts [4]. Jesus himself stated, "If anyone desires to come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me" (Matthew 16:24) [2]. The Magi exemplify this commitment through their journey and actions. Their pursuit of the newborn king, guided by a star, suggests a dedication that transcends mere curiosity.
The Magi's example highlights several aspects of discipleship:
- Seeking and Worship: The Magi traveled a significant distance to find and worship Jesus, bringing gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. This act of seeking and offering homage reflects a core aspect of following Christ.
- Faith and Revelation: Their journey was prompted by a celestial sign, indicating a reliance on divine revelation and a faith to follow it. Faith is essential both to comprehend Jesus' message and to experience his miraculous power [5].
- Obedience to Divine Guidance: After encountering Jesus, they were warned in a dream not to return to Herod and consequently took a different route home (Matthew 2:12). This immediate obedience to divine instruction, even when it diverged from their original plan, demonstrates a key characteristic of discipleship.
The concept of "following" Jesus is central to the New Testament. When Jesus called his first disciples, he commanded them, "Follow me" [6]. This call was not merely an invitation to intellectual assent but a summons to a new way of life, often involving leaving behind previous occupations and comforts [7]. The disciples were to become "fishers of men" (Matthew 4:19), indicating a transformation of purpose and identity.
The early followers of Jesus, like the Magi, were often called to step outside their familiar routines. Jesus' disciples were instructed to preach the kingdom of God and heal the sick, dispersing themselves to spread his message [8]. This mission sometimes put them in direct opposition to those who practiced magic or occult arts, which were strictly prohibited under Mosaic law [3]. The apostles, empowered by Christ, engaged in a spiritual war against Satan, demonstrating Christ's victory over evil, including those voluntarily devoted to such practices [9].
Sources
- Smith's Bible Dictionary “Smith's Bible Dictionary: Magi — (Authorized Version wise men). + In the Hebrew text of the Old Testament the word occurs but twice, and then only incidentally. (Jeremiah 29:3,13) "Originally they were a class of priests among the Persians and Medes who formed the king's privy council, and cultivated as trology, medicine and occult natural science. They are frequently referred to by ancient authors. Afterward the term was applied to all eastern philosophers."--Schaff's Popular Commentary. They appear in Herodotus' history of Astyages as interpreters of dreams, i. 120; but as they appear in Jer”
- Matthew “Then Jesus said to his disciples, “If anyone desires to come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. -- Matthew 16:24”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Magic — The Jews seem early to have consulted the teraphim (q.v.) for oracular answers (Judg. 18:5, 6; Zech. 10:2). There is a remarkable illustration of this divining by teraphim in Ezek. 21:19-22. We read also of the divining cup of Joseph (Gen. 44:5). The magicians of Egypt are frequently referred to in the history of the Exodus. Magic was an inherent part of the ancient Egyptian religion, and entered largely into their daily life. All magical arts were distinctly prohibited under penalty of death in the Mosaic law. The Jews were commanded not to learn the "abomin”
- Matthew (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Matthew 8:20: 8:20 Following Jesus is not easy; it involves more than intellectual mastery. Following Jesus entails being willing to forgo life’s normal comforts.”
- Matthew (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Matthew 13:58: 13:58 Faith is required both to understand Jesus’ message (13:10-17) and to experience his miracles.”
- Matthew (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Matthew 4:17: And he saith unto them, follow me,.... These two brethren had been the disciples of John, as Theophylact thinks, and which seems agreeable to Joh 1:35 and though through John's pointing out Christ unto them, they had some knowledge of him, and conversation with him, yet they abode with him but for that day, Joh 1:37 and afterwards returned to their master; and upon his imprisonment, betook themselves to their former employment: from whence Christ now calls them to be his disciples, saying "follow me", or "come after me": that is, be a disciple of mine; see Luk 14:27.”
- Matthew (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Matthew 4:18: When Christ began to preach, he began to gather disciples, who should now be the hearers, and hereafter the preachers, of his doctrine, who should now be witnesses of his miracles, and hereafter concerning them. Now, in these verses, we have an account of the first disciples that he called into fellowship with himself. And this was an instance, 1. Of effectual calling to Christ. In all his preaching he gave a common call to all the country, but in this he gave a special and particular call to those that were given him by the Father. Let us see and admire the powe”
- Luke (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Luke 9:1: We have here, I. The method Christ took to spread his gospel, to diffuse and enforce the light of it. He had himself travelled about, preaching and healing; but he could be only in one place at a time, and therefore now he sent his twelve disciples abroad, who by this time were pretty well instructed in the nature of the present dispensation, and able to instruct others and deliver to them what they had received from the Lord. Let them disperse themselves, some one way and some another, to preach the kingdom of God, as it was now about to be set up by the Messiah, to”
- Acts (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Acts 19:13: The preachers of the gospel were sent forth to carry on a war against Satan, and therein Christ went forth conquering and to conquer. The casting of evil spirits out of those that were possessed was one instance of Christ's victory over Satan; but, to show in how many ways Christ triumphed over that great enemy, we have here in these verses two remarkable instances of the conquest of Satan, not only in those that were violently possessed by him, but in those that were voluntarily devoted to him. I. Here is the confusion of some of Satan's servants, some vagabond Je”