The wise men were changed from wanderers to worshippers.
For the record, the wise men did not come to the manger, as is usually depicted in Christmas pageants, but the Bible does say that some time after the birth, they came to the home of Jesus. Their visit is a part of the birth of Jesus, so it is properly told and re-told during the Christmas season.
Months before Jesus was born, several astronomers from the East observed something in the sky that caused them to believe that a king was born in some far-off country. They were so convinced that something important was happening that they left their homes and followed a star that led them to Jerusalem.
They went to the palace and asked if they could see the king’s new son. King Herod had no idea what they were talking about so he asked his advisers to find out where a king might be born.
They looked in scripture and discovered that a king was to be born in a little town called Bethlehem. Herod sent the inquirers, often called the Magi, on their way with instructions to report back to him when they found the king.
As they headed for Bethlehem, they were overjoyed when the star reappeared and led them to the home of Jesus. There they worshipped Jesus and gave him gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.
These men did not know of the one true God, but their hearts were seeking the truth, and they knew they had found the King of Kings, surprisingly, in a carpenter’s home in Bethlehem.
Jesus changed them from wanderers to worshippers.
The same thing happened to me many years ago when I was a wandering, disoriented, clueless high school senior with no idea what I was going to do with my life. During my senior year, my church had what was called back then a revival meeting with a firebrand gospel preacher.
I had been attending church since before I was born, so I knew the story of Jesus. But during that five-night series of meetings, I had a fresh look at Jesus and a hard look at the cross upon which he died. On the last night of the meetings I suddenly found myself in front of the church grasping my pastor-father’s hand to make a lifetime commitment to serve God in any way I could.
Are you wandering? You can end your search this Christmas and receive forgiveness for every sin of your past and even for the sins you will commit today and tomorrow. Do what the Magi did—bow down and worship Him who will bring you out of your darkness into His marvelous light. He will turn you from a wanderer to worshipper.
If you are looking for something real, something tangible, something more than a few short years of hedonistic pursuit and temporary pleasures, you can find your answer in Jesus.
Be a wise man today and seek and find the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords. He will change you from a wanderer to a worshipper.
Next: The one person who was NOT changed by Jesus
