A Baby Changes Everything 4 - The Magi's Transformation

The magi, learned scholars from east, began their journey because of scientific observation – they saw an anomaly in the sky. Was it a planetary conjunction of Saturn and Jupiter or perhaps a nova? We will never know. But the magi discerned the unusual astronomical sight through their studies of the skies. No one else seemed to notice – only a student of the stars would have seen it. Perhaps the magi had studied the Hebrew scriptures enough to know of Balaam’s prophecy of the rising star out of Jacob (Numbers 24:17). We can’t say for sure how the magi came to identify the unusual star with the Hebrew Messiah, but, unlike the shepherd’s sudden, supernatural revelation, the magi came to Christ through careful thought and a long journey. However, as they approached Bethlehem, the scholars beheld a miracle. The star supernaturally moved before them and guided them to the exact location of the newborn Messiah. When they saw the star guiding them, “they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy.” Soon, they fell down in worship. After their visit, the magi no longer relied on intellect alone – they were supernaturally warned through a divine dream to return home by a different route. The fascinating story of the magi tells not only of the journey from the east to Bethlehem; it tells of a journey from head to heart. Meeting and knowing Jesus isn’t a matter of intellect alone or spirit alone; followers are Christ grow through the wedding of head and heart.