Day 14: The Wise Men Follow the Star
1 After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem 2 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.”
3 When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him. 4When he had called together all the people’s chief priests and teachers of the law, he asked them where the Messiah was to be born. 5“In Bethlehem in Judea,” they replied, “for this is what the prophet has written:
6“ ‘But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for out of you will come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel.’”
7 Then Herod called the Magi secretly and found out from them the exact time the star had appeared. 8He sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search carefully for the child. As soon as you find him, report to me, so that I too may go and worship him.”
9 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. 10 When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. 11 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. 12 And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route. - Matthew 2:1-12
Devotional:
I once had a GPS malfunction while driving to a conference in Atlanta. Instead of panicking, I found myself following old-school navigation methods - watching the sun's position, following highway signs, and yes, even stopping to ask for directions (I know, revolutionary!). What started as a potential disaster turned into an adventure that taught me sometimes the journey itself is part of the destination.
This reminds me of a young couple in a church I once served who felt called to adopt. They had no idea where to start, but they began following small signs - a conversation here, an unexpected connection there, a perfectly timed financial gift. Like following breadcrumbs, each small sign led to the next. Three years later, when they finally held their son, they could trace God's guidance through every seemingly random detail of their journey.
The Magi's story is fascinating because these were essentially ancient astronomers and scholars who followed a star across hundreds of miles of desert. Think about that - they were so convinced of what they saw in the sky that they packed up expensive gifts and embarked on a long, dangerous journey. They didn't have a complete map, just a star that kept moving, requiring them to follow it night after night.
What's particularly striking is that these weren't Jewish scholars waiting for the Messiah - they were Gentiles who recognized God's sign in their own field of expertise. God met them where they were, speaking their language, using their understanding of the stars to guide them to Jesus. This reminds us that God can use anything - our work, our interests, our unique perspectives - to draw us to Him.
The wise men also show us that following God's guidance often requires both divine signs and practical wisdom. They followed the star (divine guidance) but also stopped in Jerusalem to ask questions and consult Scripture (practical wisdom). And when God warned them in a dream about Herod, they were flexible enough to change their plans and return home by another route.
Reflection Questions:
What "stars" might God be using in your life right now to guide you toward Him?
How willing are you to change your planned route when God gives new direction?
Prayer Prompt: Ask God to help you recognize His guidance in both the extraordinary and ordinary aspects of your life, and for the courage to follow where He leads, even when the destination isn't clear.