At the end of the account of the magi and Jesus in Matthew 2:1-12 we find that the magi were filled with joy at finding the Christ child. I suppose they were happy that they could quit searching for the newborn king who had been the object of their quest. It had been a tough journey. But why were they happy about finding a small child? Matthew doesn’t say that Jesus extended his scepter to the magi and granted three wishes or gave them high offices in his kingdom. In fact, the magi were the ones who responded by giving expensive gifts to the helpless and unaware child. And then they left and we don’t hear from them again. So what was that all about?
It was all about hope. It was about recognizing that the king had really been born. They would not see the fully realized kingdom with their own eyes, but they could rest knowing that God had really visited earth and would bring about his purposes. With Simeon, who saw Jesus being presented to God in the Temple, they could say, “Now dismiss your servant[s] in peace. For [our] eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the sight of all nations.” (Luke 2:30-31)
My worship is also based on hope. In fact, I have more evidence for that hope than the magi did. There are two millennia of testimonies to the life-transforming power of the Prince of Peace that give me confidence that he will truly establish his kingdom of shalom and that he is calling me to be a part of his kingdom purposes. What gifts am I bringing to him? What generosity is catalyzed in my heart as a result of this knowledge?
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