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This devotional reflects on the Magi who followed the star to worship Jesus.
God revealed His sign beyond boundaries of nation, culture, and background.
Today, we remember that God guides all who sincerely seek Him.
After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked,
“Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.”
After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen when it rose went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was.
When they saw the star, they were filled with great joy.
On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route.
Matthew 2:1–2, 9–12
The Magi from the East
The Magi from the East followed a great star and came all the way to Jerusalem.
Their passion is truly remarkable.
The exact name of the eastern land is not specified,
but historically and culturally it is believed to refer to regions such as Babylon (modern-day Iraq), Persia (Iran), or the Medo-Parthian Empire.
All of these regions were known in ancient times for their advanced studies
in astronomy, astrology, and royal scholarship.
In other words,
the Magi belonged to the most learned intellectual class of the ancient world.
They were men who studied the stars and served as advisors to kings,
and they came to Jerusalem.
Why Did They Come?
Why did they come?
At that time, there was a belief in the eastern regions.
“The stars in the heavens announce the birth of a king.”
“The movement of a special star is a sign of a historical event.”
Moreover, after the period of Jewish exile,
the teachings of Jewish prophets such as Daniel likely remained in those regions.
Because of this, the prophecy that “the Messiah is coming” may also have been passed down.
So the Magi from the East were not merely practicing divination.
They observed the signs in the heavens,
interpreted them together with ancient prophecies,
and set out to find the King of the Jews.
God Reveals the Path Beyond Boundaries
God revealed a sign not to the Jews, but to scholars from a foreign land.
Though they were not the chosen people at that time,
they earnestly desired to find the Messiah
and used the best of their knowledge and efforts to seek Jesus.
There are people who have attended church for decades
yet have not truly received the salvation of Jesus.
At the same time, there are many who, while studying Buddhism or other religions,
earnestly search for the true God using the best methods they know—
and end up encountering the real Jesus.
As we can see from the story of the Magi from the East,
God does not reveal His will only to the chosen Jews
or to those who worship inside the church.
Wherever I may belong,
Whatever I may be doing,
God will surely show the path of salvation
to all who sincerely seek the “Absolute One,” the “Creator,” and “God.”
Therefore, we too must abandon the habit of limiting how God works.
God is truly astonishing.
“God, You are the Creator of the entire universe.
You are the One who pours out grace beyond nations, peoples, cultures, and every boundary.
At times, we try to share the gospel using only rigid methods and narrow ways of thinking.
Please grant us wisdom, and allow us to proclaim the gospel through Your power, which works in every place and among all people.
Through us, though we are insufficient, let the gospel of Jesus Christ be delivered to many more.
We pray in the name of Jesus Christ.”