The Pursuit of The Magi

What is Christmas?

It’s an annual holiday commemorating the birth of Jesus.

By the late forth century, Christmas started to surface as a holiday in its own right

But Christmas was originally a prelude to the “Feast of Epiphany ( means manifestation)”, which was celebration commemorating Jesus manifestation to the gentiles through the magi MT 2. This feast was every Jan. 6th.

But in the 9th century the “Feast of Epiphany began to die down and Christmas became more prominent. Possibly the result of Emperor Charlemagne coronation on Christmas day around that time. He was considered to be “The Christian Ruler of The Holy Empire” .

So really the feast of Epiphany

Matthew 2:1–12 NKJV

1 Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, 2 saying, “Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the East and have come to worship Him.” 3 When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. 4 And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. 5 So they said to him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for thus it is written by the prophet: 6 ‘But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, Are not the least among the rulers of Judah; For out of you shall come a Ruler Who will shepherd My people Israel.’ ” 7 Then Herod, when he had secretly called the wise men, determined from them what time the star appeared. 8 And he sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search carefully for the young Child, and when you have found Him, bring back word to me, that I may come and worship Him also.” 9 When they heard the king, they departed; and behold, the star which they had seen in the East went before them, till it came and stood over where the young Child was. 10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceedingly great joy. 11 And when they had come into the house, they saw the young Child with Mary His mother, and fell down and worshiped Him. And when they had opened their treasures, they presented gifts to Him: gold, frankincense, and myrrh. 12 Then, being divinely warned in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed for their own country another way.

Jesus was born in Bethlehem the scriptures for told of this prophesy in Mic. 5:2 “2 “But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, Though you are little among the thousands of Judah, Yet out of you shall come forth to Me The One to be Ruler in Israel, Whose goings forth are from of old, From everlasting.”

Bethlehem of Judea was about 5 miles south from Jerusalem.

This was in the days of Herod the King, Also known as Herod the Great.

Herod the Great reign was noted for its splendor.

- He built Theaters and Amphitheaters

monuments and pagan alters

fortress and other building erected or refurbished

Including the greatest work of all which was rebuilding the temple started in AD. 20 and wasn’t finished unto 68 years after his death.

But King Herod was also a ruthless King

He murder his wife

his three sons

his mother in law

brother in law

uncle and many others

Also not to mention he put to death all male children in Bethlehem and all its directions, from two years old and under. Matt. 2:16

Herod was so filled with paranoia because of all the blood on his hands.

Now Herod sees this caravan full off people, where some scholars believed they where royalty maybe even Kings because of there direct access to King Herod and the expensive gifts they brought Jesus . ( Gold, Frankincense and Myrrh)

But these are the wisemen aka the Magi. Who where astrologers in there own right.

Just based on how they observed an astronomical phenomenon, a new star (τὸν ἀστέρα, ton astera) they interpret as a divine signal that a new Jewish king has been born (Matt 2:2)

So when Herod heard about this King of the Jews he had to put a stop to it!

So the question is why did the Magi or these wisemen come and decide to come looking for the King of The Jews. But what led them to such a quest?

I believe its found 600 years before the birth of Jesus in the book of Daniel

Daniel was from the Tribe of Judah so was Jesus

Daniel was a exile so was Jesus He had to feel from Herod the king

Daniel had a special empathy for these pagans which he ended up saving there life so does Jesus.

Daniel cared about the gentile so does Jesus

Nebuchadnezzar’s dream

Daniel 2:1–12 NKJV

1 Now in the second year of Nebuchadnezzar’s reign, Nebuchadnezzar had dreams; and his spirit was so troubled that his sleep left him. 2 Then the king gave the command to call the magicians, the astrologers, the sorcerers, and the Chaldeans to tell the king his dreams. So they came and stood before the king. 3 And the king said to them, “I have had a dream, and my spirit is anxious to know the dream.” 4 Then the Chaldeans spoke to the king in Aramaic, “O king, live forever! Tell your servants the dream, and we will give the interpretation.” 5 The king answered and said to the Chaldeans, “My decision is firm: if you do not make known the dream to me, and its interpretation, you shall be cut in pieces, and your houses shall be made an ash heap. 6 However, if you tell the dream and its interpretation, you shall receive from me gifts, rewards, and great honor. Therefore tell me the dream and its interpretation.” 7 They answered again and said, “Let the king tell his servants the dream, and we will give its interpretation.” 8 The king answered and said, “I know for certain that you would gain time, because you see that my decision is firm: 9 if you do not make known the dream to me, there is only one decree for you! For you have agreed to speak lying and corrupt words before me till the time has changed. Therefore tell me the dream, and I shall know that you can give me its interpretation.” 10 The Chaldeans answered the king, and said, “There is not a man on earth who can tell the king’s matter; therefore no king, lord, or ruler has ever asked such things of any magician, astrologer, or Chaldean. 11 It is a difficult thing that the king requests, and there is no other who can tell it to the king except the gods, whose dwelling is not with flesh.” 12 For this reason the king was angry and very furious, and gave the command to destroy all the wise men of Babylon.

Daniel explains the dream and asked Nebuchadezzar not to destroy the wisemen

Daniel 2:24 NKJV

24 Therefore Daniel went to Arioch, whom the king had appointed to destroy the wise men of Babylon. He went and said thus to him: “Do not destroy the wise men of Babylon; take me before the king, and I will tell the king the interpretation.”

Arioch was the King executioner and informed him he was ready to interpret the dream.

Daniel promoted and made the ruler and chief adminstrator over the wisemen .

Daniel 2:46–49 NKJV

46 Then King Nebuchadnezzar fell on his face, prostrate before Daniel, and commanded that they should present an offering and incense to him. 47 The king answered Daniel, and said, “Truly your God is the God of gods, the Lord of kings, and a revealer of secrets, since you could reveal this secret.” 48 Then the king promoted Daniel and gave him many great gifts; and he made him ruler over the whole province of Babylon, and chief administrator over all the wise men of Babylon. 49 Also Daniel petitioned the king, and he set Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego over the affairs of the province of Babylon; but Daniel sat in the gate of the king.