Be Wise – January 4, 2026

One key truth: Keep your head and heart focused on Jesus, the Savior of all.

After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.”

After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen when it rose went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route.
Matthew 2:1-2,9-12

Be Wise

It’s one of the great mysteries of all time. Who were these wise men? Where exactly did they come from? How many exactly were there? And how exactly did they know what they were looking for?

Over the years many have had their guesses. Some have called them kings, though it seems most likely they were astrologers or wise advisors. The Bible tells us they came from the east, and the word origin of Magi might point us toward the area of Persia, where Babylon use to be. We know they brought three gifts, but we don’t know if there were only three of them. We don’t know much, but we do know this—they were in fact very wise!

These men seemed to have knowledge of the Scriptures, perhaps remnants left behind from the days of Daniel in Babylon and Persia. They were focused and dedicated—traveling 30-60 days through rough terrain, heat, deserts, and danger to get to Jerusalem. They were bold and courageous, unfazed by wicked King Herod who wanted to kill the infant Jesus. But wisest of all, they recognized who this young child was—the promised Messiah and Savior of all.

We know this by their reaction. As soon as they saw him, they bowed down and worshiped a toddler—imagine doing that! Their three gifts revealed their faith:

• Gold—a gift fit for a king.
• Frankincense—a gift fit for a priest who would offer prayers and sacrifices.
• Myrrh—a gift fit for anointing the body of one who would die.

These symbolic gifts reveal just how wise these Magi were!

Let their story cause us to reflect:

• They traveled over 600 miles to worship Jesus. How many of us struggle to make it six minutes to get to church on Sunday?
• They were bold and courageous—they fixed their eyes on Jesus despite Herod’s hateful persecution. How many of us shrink back in fear when someone simply asks what we believe?
• They were excited to worship and give Jesus their best. How many of us complain when we “have to” worship Jesus or give offerings to him?

Let the Magi inspire us! Be wise like there were—fixing our eyes on Jesus, the promised Messiah and Savior of all. After all, that child they knelt before grew up to live perfectly, die sacrificially, and rise triumphantly for them and for you.

Be wise like the Magi. Fix your hearts and minds on the Christ Child!

Prayer:

Lord Jesus, you came to be the Savior of all nations. Thank you for the faith of the wise men who traveled from afar to see you at your birth. Thank you also for their example of courage and joy. Help me to be so wise that when I see clearly who you are and what you came to do, I will want to do nothing but worship and praise you. Amen.