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Matthew 2:11-12b
“And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh. 12b they departed into their own country another way.”
In today’s text we find certain men, that the text refers to as Wise Men.
They are called by others Magi, a Greek word noting nobility, a title assigned to a Persian Prince.
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
In the text, these men of nobility have completed a long and challenging journey. A journey that one would have to define as arduous, (requiring strenuous effort; difficult and tiring.)
They had no electric cars, no interstate highways, no AAA insurance or Holiday Inns. No tourists rest stops, no Siri to help one navigate the dry, dangerous endless desert.
Religious historians suggest, these men traveled from what we now call Baghdad, some 900 miles from Bethlehem. My brothers and sisters, such long journey was not easy.
Even as expert camel drivers, it would have been very difficult for these Persian Princes, elaborately dressed, riding the finest of royal camels to look as comfortable, and elegant, as depicted on the front cover of a Christmas Card purchased at your local Walmart.
However, one thing we can be certain of, because our text reads, “And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother.” Hallelujah!
Hallelujah, my brothers and Sisters; the Magi, these Persian Princes found, Jesus!
Earlier texts tell us that they had followed His star; traveling from the Far East. Siri advised me that a Camel packed with supplies can travel some 25 miles per day. You do the math.
My Brothers and Sisters, when these Persian Princes started following that shinning star, they were looking for a baby, that would be born in a manger wrapped in swaddling clothing, but the text reads; in the house they found and gave their gifts to a young Child named Jesus.
Seems to me from reading our text that when the Wise Men found the baby Jesus, He might have been ready for his first pair of hard bottom shoes.
Our text then reads; they fell down, and worshipped him. Not sure what they said or how they worshipped! But! Maybe “Hallelujah, Lord we Bless your Precious name. Lord we praise you. Lord we Honor You. We thank You. Lord we love you. We Magnify You. You are the Holy One! In you Lord God, there is Hope. The Hope of the World. Our Prayers are answered. All Fear is Gone. Hallelujah! Hallelujah!”
Then our text reads, And when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; of gold, and frankincense, and myrrh. They first made sure, that as their anticipated king He had at least start up money, “A starter treasure.”
These Magi, these Wise Men and their gifts coming from afar suggest to me, that, Jesus was revered (thought of highly) not only by Jews, but also by Gentiles — people who lived in other lands.
Anywhere the story of Jesus’ birth was told and shared, people, all over recognized Jesus’ kingship! He would be the difference maker, the great equalizer. The weight of the world would be on His shoulders.
Verse 12B, the final verse of our text reads, they departed into their own country another way.
You may ask: Are we to summarize from the text that after these Magi traveled some 900 miles to find their anticipated Jesus, worshipped and gave Him great gifts, then took a different interstate home?
Glad you asked. That’s exactly what they did according to their purpose in the scriptures.
But the bigger, more pressing question for those of you who too, profess to have found Jesus: What are you going to do with Him?
Are we doing as the elaborately dressed Persian Princes: come, sit, give and go?
Or do we take the message of Jesus’ birth, His life, crucifixion, burial, and resurrection down every back road, side street, crack house, our house, jail house, church house, out to every unsaved person we meet?
What will you do with Him? Do you go and tell this lost and dying world about Jesus and His love for you even when you didn’t love yourself, when we were headed straight for Hell, when there was more month than money, when we walked the back streets crying, wishing it would rain so that no one would see the tears that we shed, sick and couldn’t get well?
He is not on the cross dangling around your necks. He has risen! So, what are you going to do with Him, for him, about him?
What will you do about the Jesus you profess to have found that you say is the head of your life, the author and finisher of your faith?
Rev. Alfred Carroll Sr. is founder of Alfred Carroll Ministries of Pine Bluff.
Editor’s note: Pastors, ministers or other writers interested in writing for this section may submit articles for consideration to shope@adgnewsroom.com. Writers should have connections to Southeast Arkansas. Please include your name, phone number and the name and location of your church or ministry.