The Visit of the Wise Men: Tradition vs. Scripture
Base Text: Matthew 2:1–12
INTRODUCTION
The Biblical Account The Gospel of Matthew provides us with the fascinating account of the Wise Men (Magi) who traveled from the East to find the newborn King. These were not mere travelers; they were scholars—wise men dedicated to the study of the stars, medicine, and natural sciences.
Their Position and Influence These men held high social standing and significant influence. The fact that they gained direct access to the palace of King Herod demonstrates their importance. They were men of authority seeking a higher Authority.
The Great Question Upon arriving in Jerusalem, they did not ask if a king had been born, but rather: "Where is He who has been born King of the Jews?" (Matthew 2:2). They were not looking for a possibility; they were acting on a conviction. They came seeking a King, not a tradition.
The Purpose of This Message Today, we will examine the layers of human tradition that have been added to this story over the centuries. We will contrast them with the clear teachings of Scripture and extract spiritual lessons for our lives as followers of Christ.
I. WHAT TRADITION CLAIMS
Human imagination often tries to "fill in the blanks" where the Bible is silent. However, we must be careful not to mistake legend for truth.
• The Number of Wise Men: Tradition insists there were three, simply because three gifts are mentioned (Matthew 2:11). However, the Bible never specifies the number.
• The Names: You may have heard the names Melchior, Caspar, and Balthazar. These names appear nowhere in the Word of God; they were added by later traditions.
• The Descriptions: Tradition has assigned them specific ages, races, and physical traits to represent different parts of the world. While poetic, this is the product of human imagination.
The Danger of Tradition Where the Bible is silent, the believer must remain silent. Tradition often adds what God did not see fit to reveal. We must be cautious, for accepting traditions as divine truth can lead us away from the actual revealed Word (Revelation 22:18).
II. WHAT THE SCRIPTURES REVEAL
When we strip away the traditions, the biblical truth shines even brighter.
1. They Were Led by God The Bible calls them "Magi" or "Wise Men" from the East. God reached out to them in a language they understood—the stars—to guide them to the Light of the World (Matthew 2:2). As Hebrews 1:1 tells us, God spoke in various ways and at different times to reach humanity.
2. A Purpose of Worship Their mission was clear: "We... have come to worship Him" (Matthew 2:2, 11). They recognized that this child was more than a political figure; He was worthy of the worship that belongs only to God (Matthew 4:10).
3. Spirit of Self-Sacrifice Their journey was long, dangerous, and expensive. They did not let the discomfort of travel or the exhaustion of the road deter them. They sought the King with sacrifice.
4. The Significance of the Gifts
• Gold: Presented to a King.
• Frankincense: Presented to a Priest.
• Myrrh: Used for burial, foreshadowing a Prophet who would die for the people.
5. Obedience to God Over Men King Herod was a deceiver. He claimed he wanted to worship the child, but his true intent was murder (Matthew 2:13). Being warned in a dream, the Wise Men chose to obey God rather than the king of Judea (Matthew 2:12). They lived out the principle found in Acts 5:29: "We ought to obey God rather than men."
6. Great Joy When they saw the star, they "rejoiced with exceedingly great joy" (Matthew 2:10). Finding Christ is the only source of true, lasting happiness.
- Can Christians Believe in Superstition? Isaiah 8:19–20
- Reverence in the Worship of God Hebrews 12:28
- What is the Responsibility of Church Leaders?
CONCLUSION
Tradition vs. Scripture We have seen that while tradition offers a colorful story, Scripture offers a transformative truth. The believer must always anchor their faith in the Word, not in human folklore.
Lessons from the Wise Men
• Do we seek Christ with the same conviction?
• Is our worship marked by reverence and the giving of our "gold, frankincense, and myrrh"?
• Are we willing to obey God even when it places us at risk or requires us to change our route?
Personal Application The Wise Men traveled miles to find Jesus; He has traveled from Heaven to find you. The person who truly finds Christ will inevitably worship Him, obey Him, and find their greatest joy in Him.
