“We three kings of Orient are, bearing gifts we travel so far. Field and fountain, moor and mountain, following yonder star. O, star of wonder, star of light, star with royal beauty bright, westward leading, still proceeding, guide us to thy perfect light.”
I’ve never taken time to understand the depth of meaning behind this story. We vigorously and frenetically celebrate the birth of Jesus, yet gloss over the all encompassing wisdom of following through with living according to his wise, transformative teachings.
The Wise Men followed through with their spiritual epiphanies!
1. They declared a fact in their question to King Herod; “Where is the baby born the King of the Jews?” Do we act on spiritual truths we’ve experienced by continuing to seek their source? The Wise Men did. They questioned out of their depth of conviction. Don’t be afraid of questioning. Your faith will be strengthened, not shattered. Jesus said, “seek and you shall find.”
2. Our outright questioning might agitate some in our community, but so be it! King Herod was fearfully alarmed at the truth the Wise Men sought. His agitation lead him to squelch the truth through canniving manipulation. On the otherhand, the Wise Men honored their inquisitive agitation and were rewarded with additional, empowering guidance, instead of mere knowledge, no matter how accurate that knowledge was.
Are you like the Wise Men, deligently acting upon spiritual, revealed truths gleened on your questioning adventures?
Ask and it will be given to you. Seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.