What was the longest period of time that you’ve ever been away from home? For some of us this question may mean – how long have you been away from your family? Your house? Your home town? Your friends? Away at school? Moved away for a job?
We live in a world where travel is commonplace, if not expected. Rarely do we grow up in the same town as generations of our family from the past or only travel as far as we can go on foot for our entire lives. The world has been opened up to us by public transportation.
This was not the world of the wise man. The farthest people traveled was as far as they could ride an animal or walk. And this process was quite slow considering the baggage people brought with them. If you were lucky, you could find a relative or kind stranger to live with. If you weren’t so lucky you’d be camping out.
Furthermore, travel was dangerous. Think of the story of the Good Samaritan – it revolves around a man who is mugged simply between Judah and Samaria. The wise man traveled quite a bit farther then that.
So what would possess these men to make such a journey? The news of a King. A king that was foretold. A king that would change the course of history.
Which leads me to ask, if the Wise Men were willing to travel so far for a King that wasn't even from their religion, but they were compelled to worship, what are we willing to do for our King Jesus today? As we start this New Year, let us reflect on what we want to offer to Christ for his Kingdom this year as we hear this story anew.
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