For Such A Time as This

Wise Men Worship Him

Readers:
Here in its entirety is an article by E.L.Bynum. Brother Bynum pastored Tabernacle Baptist Church for 44 years. He is still involved in many aspects of the ministry.


Wise Men Worship Him

By E. L. Bynum


"Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, saying, where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him." Matthew 2:1,2.

It is tragic that human traditions and pagan religious errors have robbed so many of the truths concerning the birth of Jesus Christ. No birth was ever so important to both God and man as this birth. This birth must be a fulfillment of God's promises of the Messiah, beginning with Genesis 3:15. This birth was the only one that could provide a Saviour for lost and fallen man. How important then, that we sweep aside human traditions and pagan errors, and seek the truth as it is to be found in the Bible.

The Time of His Birth

Even the year of His birth cannot be fixed with absolute certainty. Our calendar is off from 4 to 8 years at least. He was born while Herod was king and it is a well established fact that Herod died in 4 B.C.
Certainly He was not born on December 25th. For one thing, it is too cold in December for shepherds to keep their flocks by night in the open fields, as they were doing at the time of His birth. (Luke 2:8). He was born at a time when everyone had to go to their native city to be enrolled for taxation, and this would have been unlikely to have been scheduled in the middle of the winter. The winter was not a time to travel. (Matthew 24:20). December 25th was a pagan holiday long before the birth of Christ. It was established by Babylonian "sun-god" worshipers who looked upon this day as the birthday of the "Sun God." The worship of Baal was of course a part of the same false religion. The winter solstice comes on December 22, and is considered to be the shortest day of the year. As the days begin to lengthen, the "sun-god" worshipers would naturally rejoice. December 25th was a well-established day of revelry and licentious religious worship, long before anyone ever thought of making it Christ's birthday.
It was not until the 3rd Century that some Christians began to celebrate the birth of Christ on this date. It could be that those who established this date for the birth of Christ, really thought they could Christianize this pagan holiday. Needless to say, their efforts have tended to paganize Christianity. In 336 A.D. Emperor Constantine declared December 25th as a Roman holiday, because it was Christ's birthday.
The month and day of the passover, as well as other ancient festival days are well known. Why have we not learned that God has purposely concealed the date of Christ's birth for very good reasons? The reason is, that we might emphasize His death and resurrection. Why else did God allow us to know the month and day of His death and the day of His resurrection? Each Sunday we commemorate His resurrection when we come together to worship Him.
Certainly Santa Claus has nothing to do with the birth of Christ. Even the word "Christmas" is pagan for it is an abbreviated form of "Christ Mass" which came from the Roman Catholic Church.

When Did The Wise Men Worship Him?

Again human traditions have been substituted for the truth of God's Word. Over and over again we have viewed a manger scene showing the shepherds and the wise men worshiping the new born babe. This is contrary to the teaching of the Bible. The shepherds were notified the very day of His birth and they found the babe in a manger. (Luke 2:11-12). The wise men found the young child in a house. (Matthew 2:11). There is quite a difference between a babe in a manger and a young child in a house.
The wise men had seen His star in the east, and it would have taken them a long time to have traveled from Babylon or any other eastern area to Jerusalem. When they talked with Herod, he inquired "diligently what time the star appeared." The word here translated "diligently" means exactly and is elsewhere translated perfect and perfectly. (Matthew 2:7). When Herod ordered the children of Bethlehem slain, in order to kill Jesus, he ordered that all of them be slain, "from two years old and under, according to the time which he had diligently inquired of the wise men." (Matthew 2:16). So Jesus could have been anywhere from a few months up to two years of age at the time that the wise men came.
While we do not know the time of His birth, we do know that He was born at the right time. "But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth His Son, made of a woman, made under the law, to redeem them that were under the law . . ." (Galatians 4:4-5)

I. Wise Men Follow The Light

Men do not seek Jesus until the light of God has shined in their hearts. They did not seek Him who was born King of the Jews, until they had seen His star in the east. Remember that Daniel, Nehemiah and other true men of God had been carried captive into Assyria, Babylon and Persia. These devout Jews were witnesses in high governmental offices. Note that this was true of Daniel and Nehemiah. Daniel was even trained as a wise man among the Babylonians. With their devout testimony, and their Hebrew scriptures, they would have had ample opportunity of creating considerable interest in the prophecies of the coming Messiah.
Balaam had prophesied, "there shall come a Star out of Jacob, and a Sceptre shall rise out of Israel . . ." (Numbers 24:17). Since this portion of the Word was written by Moses, it would have undoubtedly been carried into the captivity. It would be likely that copies of these scriptures so prized by the Jews would find their way into the libraries of the east.
The book of Daniel is rich in Messianic Prophecy and remember that it was written in Babylon. Daniel 9:24-26 gives the time table with absolute certainty for the appearance of "Messiah the Prince." Daniel describes this as 69 weeks or 483 years from the time of the commandment to restore and to rebuild Jerusalem. Since there were at least three such decrees made, the wise men might not have known which decree was meant. But at least they could have known approximately the time of the Messiah.
We hasten to say, that there is no scriptural proof that they knew anything about the prophecies of Balaam and Daniel. But we do believe that they followed the light that God gave them. They saw a star in the east that was different from anything they had seen before. However, seeing a star would not direct them to Jerusalem, unless they knew about the above scriptures or God spoke to them by a special revelation. God did speak to them in a dream after they arrived. (Matthew 2:12)
They did follow the light of God's Word when it was revealed unto them. (Matthew 2:5,6; Micah 5:2). They did follow the light of the star. (Matthew 2:9).
There are many men today with great knowledge, but unless they come to know Christ they will never be "wise men." "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom . . ." (Proverbs 9:10). "If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God . . ." (James 1:5). According to James 3:15, there is a wisdom that is earthly, sensual and devilish.
Those who follow the light to Jesus Christ are the only ones who are truly wise.

II. Wise Men Worship Jesus

Many would have been satisfied with a visit with wicked King, Herod, but not these wise men! They inquired as to where the new born King could be found. We do not know how many wise men there were. We do not know from which country they came. But we do know that they would not be satisfied with anyone less than Jesus. They had studied the knowledge of the east. They no doubt had talked with kings and generals, but the greatest audience they ever had, was when they came into the presence of Jesus.
They "fell down, and worshipped Him." Today, men are worshiping the god of science. Others are worshiping the god of material things. Their pursuit of "things" leaves them no time for God. Many are worshiping the god of lust and pleasure. Theories, thrills and things occupy 20th century man, so that he has no time for the true and the living God. But eternity will reveal that they who worship Him, are the true wise men. A poorly educated man who worships Jesus Christ is wiser than an educated genius who rejects Him as Saviour.

III. Wise Men Give To Jesus

They gave Him "gold, and frankincense, and myrrh." These were gifts of great value, and no doubt had a typical meaning. GOLD was a fitting gift for a king, and particularly so in this case, since He is to be King of Kings and Lord of Lords. Frankincense was a fitting gift for a priest, for it was used in connection with sacrifice and priestly service. Since He was God manifest in the flesh, how fitting that they should offer frankincense unto Him. Myrrh was used in the embalming of the dead. (John 19:39). How correct that He who was to die for sin as a sacrifice should receive the myrrh.
Wise men will give their TIME, TALENT and TITHE to the Lord. In giving, it should be remembered that we should "first" give our "own selves to the Lord. "(II Cor. 8:5). God wants us to "present" our "bodies" as a "living sacrifice." (Romans 12:1). If we have done this, we will not mind giving our time and our tithes and offerings unto the Lord.
Many today are busy buying gifts for one another. How different the wise men, they gave to Him. Let us remember the lesson of the wise men, if we are truly wise we will give unto Him.

IV. Wise Men Go Back Another Way

"And being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way." (Matthew 2:12). When men come to know Christ, there is a change made in their ways. "Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new." (II Cor. 5:17). Paul said that the Thessalonian believers had "turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God." (I Thess. 1:9).
It is sad that so many claim to know Christ, but go back to the same old way of sin and worldliness. Much modern Christianity has no cross, and no separation from the world. Christ came to save us from our sins, but many want to make salvation into a fire escape from hell. How foolish that some think they can have all the sin of this world, and all the salvation of the world to come. Wise men are changed. Wise men go back another way.

V. Wise Men Will Bring Others To Jesus

The Bible does not tell us what happened to these wise men after they went back to their own country. Perhaps eternity will reveal this story, if God be pleased to make it known. However, in the light of God's Holy Word, we know what true wise men should be doing today.
"The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and HE THAT WINNETH SOULS IS WISE." (Proverbs 11:30). "And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever." (Daniel 12:3). Paul said, ". . . I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some." (I Cor. 9:22). If you know Christ, may I urge you to use every scriptural means to bring others to know Him. This is wise!

If some unsaved one should read this message, we urge you to repent and turn to Christ in faith. It will be the wisest thing you will ever do. Bow before Him, acknowledge your sin, and trust in His saving grace.