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How Long Would I Search?
As I read the Christmas scriptures, I am struck by the diligence of the Wise men. All of the manger scenes that we see portrayed today illustrate the three wise men as being in the stable soon after Jesus was born. The scriptures tell us that they searched and studied and traveled to Jerusalem to find this One who would be the King of the Jews. When they find him, he is described as “the child”, a term that describes a toddler rather than a baby. It is estimated by some scholars that Jesus was approximately
2 years old when the wise men from the east found him. They had searched and traveled for 2 years to find this child!
It is believed that these wise men were from Babylon or Persia. The Children of Israel had been in captivity in these countries for hundreds of years so it makes sense that they learned of the prophecy of God’s chosen people. It is not important to know all of the details of the Christmas story. What is important to us is that we believe that a Savior was born! The wise men heard, they believed, and they acted upon that belief. They traveled at their own expense, over long, treacherous terrain, through hostile territory. They did not have any of the conveniences that we enjoy today. They traveled on Camels, donkeys or on foot, carrying their precious gifts. There were no motels, no fast food restaurants, and no rest stops!!
If I heard of the Savior being born today, would I search for him? How long and how hard would I search for him? Would I miss salvation and eternal life because I am too complacent or too lazy? I don’t know the answer to that question, and I am eternally grateful that I won’t find out!
Brinda Blair
Magee, MS
