Our mission team driver’s search for the guest house led along dirt roads and back alleys at the end of an exhausting day. We had sensed God’s direction in multiple encounters the previous week as we shared the hope and love of Jesus. But that day, even with GPS, we struggled to find our destination. 

Have your searches also proved frustrating? Imagine how much more challenging was the Magi’s hunt for the king of the Jews! (Matthew 2:1-12) 

Who Were the Magi?

“Magi” originally referred to an ancient Persian priestly caste. As religious, scientific, and diplomatic experts in the royal court, they studied ancient manuscripts. 

The Magi might have been pagan religious leaders, possibly descendants of Daniel’s Babylonian associates or astrologers from Arabia. What secrets can we learn from them about successful searching?

Successful Search Secret #1: Expect God to Speak

Through Circumstances and Events

The ancients perceived heaven and earth as interconnected, meaning the gods were involved in everyday life. Thus, when the Magi discovered a new star, they assumed such a significant heavenly occurrence would have an earthly counterpart. 

Scholars debate whether the light was a natural event, a supernatural phenomenon, or maybe an angel. Whatever the explanation, God knew how to stoke the curiosity of men who studied the heavens. 

Through His Word

The first-century world expected someone from Judea to arise and rule the world.^[i] The combination of a celestial event and the global expectation of a new ruler from Judea led the Magi to look for an explanation in the Jewish Scriptures. Fifteen hundred years earlier, God forced a famous magician to bless rather than curse the Israelites.

I see him, but not now; I behold him, but not near. A star will come out of Jacob; a scepter will rise out of Israel.

Numbers 24:17

In the poetic language of the day, “star” referred to a king, and “scepter” also meant “comet. “

Through His People

The logical location to look for the new king of the Jews was in the current king’s palace. So, the Magi/wise men and their attendants made the lengthy journey to Jerusalem. They asked King Herod where they could find

the one who [had] been born king of the Jews.

Matthew 2:2

The Jewish religious leaders, Herod’s wise men, reported the Messiah would be born in Bethlehem—information the king relayed to the Magi. Then he requested they advise him when they found the child so he, too, could worship. Afterward, the illegitimate king of the Jews sent the caravan to search for the promised king.

Through His Spirit

Herod’s relentless pursuit of honor resulted in his refusal to tolerate anyone who might endanger his prestige and power. But God thwarted Herod’s plan to murder David’s legitimate heir.

And being warned in a dream not to return to Herod, [the Magi] departed to their own country by another way.

Matthew 2:12, ESV

Since Matthew used the word “way” in other places to indicate a direction of life, he may have meant the Magi’s encounter with the Messiah changed them.  They, therefore, avoided returning to Jerusalem.

Successful Search Secret #2: Exercise Faith

The Magi’s expedition required divine direction plus human obedience. They left home knowing their general but not specific destination.

After leaving Herod, the star reappeared, leading the Magi to Jesus. Despite extra-biblical tradition, the Magi’s visit probably did not occur the night of Jesus’ birth. Instead, many scholars believe the family settled in Bethlehem, and the wise men met Jesus as a toddler. Matthew noted:

On coming to the house, [the Magi] saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him.

Matthew 2:11

The Magi bowed before Jesus, fulfilling age-old prophecies of Gentile worship. They offered treasures of gold, frankincense, and myrrh—most unusual baby gifts.

Significance of the Gifts

Custom called for international leaders to welcome a new king with gifts, hoping to form alliances. Gold was a valuable and understandable gift. But why frankincense and myrrh? 

Spices in the ancient world were more prized than their weight in diamonds. In addition, frankincense and myrrh came from trees that only grew in southern Arabia, adding to their value.

In biblical times, the coronation of a king involved anointing with oil mixed with fragrant spices, e.g., frankincense and myrrh. The anointed king’s aroma advertised he was God’s chosen leader.

God ~ Both the Author of and Answer to Our Search

What are you searching for this Christmas? Happiness? Hope? Peace? Like the Magi, you may discover your search leads neither where nor to what you expect. God often answers our prayers in unexpected ways because he yearns to give us what we most need. He is both the source of and solution to our heart hunger. What will you do with his gift?

^[i] M.J. Wilkins, Matthew: NIV Application Commentary (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House, 2004), 94.

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The Bible version used is NIV unless otherwise noted.