Wise men offer a model of faithfulness and determination

In Matthew 2, we are told the account of the wise men who traveled to Israel to visit and present gifts to the Lord Jesus. Although usually included as part of the Nativity, their visit — according to verse 16 — was likely a couple of years after the Savior’s birth. Several things stand out about these men, including their faith, faithfulness, determination and wisdom. Their example offers insight into how we can better serve the Lord.

One of the first things we see is that someone had informed them a Jewish king was to be born, and they were diligently watching for the sign that would show His arrival. As Christians, we have been promised that Jesus is coming again, and we must be preparing for that day. To be ready, we must be both saved and serving.

Their faithfulness is also seen in the fact that they continued traveling to Jerusalem when the guiding star temporarily disappeared. Scripture shows they rejoiced in verse 10 when the star reappeared after they had asked Herod for direction. Their long and difficult journey was completed because they continued the mission God began in them, even without always seeing the next step clearly.

We also see their determination when they continued on the journey even though they did not find Him where they expected. How often do we miss God’s blessings because we stop when circumstances don’t unfold the way we anticipated?

Their wisdom appears in what followed: after worshipping and presenting their gifts, they obeyed God’s instruction and returned a different way, avoiding Herod.

Our challenge is to have faith in God’s promises, to keep seeking His will even when we struggle to see or understand, to worship Him in all circumstances, and to follow His word wherever He leads. The wise men set an example worth imitating. May we be found faithful doing the same.

David Powell, Carrollton Baptist Temple