The Three Wise Gentiles

The story of Jesus’ birth includes three Gentiles with Faith in the One, True, God, and practically a whole nation of Jews without.

“Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, saying, ‘Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the East and have come to worship Him.’ “ Matthew 2:1&2

The Three Wise Gentiles heard about Jesus by reading ancient Jewish manuscripts, and then seeing a star.   They followed that star and headed toward Jerusalem.   But the star didn’t stop at Jerusalem.  That star they had first seen in their own land continued to lead them past Jerusalem and headed toward Bethlehem, until finally it came to rest right over the very house where Joseph and Mary and the baby Jesus were living.

“When they heard the king, they departed; and behold, the star which they had seen in the East went before them, till it came and stood over where the young Child was.  When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceedingly great joy.  And when they had come into the house, they saw the young Child with Mary His mother, and fell downand worshiped Him.  And when they had opened their treasures, they presented gifts to Him: gold, frankincense and myrrh.”  Matthew 2:9-11

When they found Mary, Joseph, and the child, they fell down and worshipped the child, Jesus.

They didn’t walk back outside and worship the star.  They didn’t fall to their knees, look to the heavens, and thank the One Who had led them.  They walked into this little house and worshipped the young child.  They knew the child was God.  They may not have totally understood how this worked – but they believed the Jewish scriptures they had studied.  They believed the toddler was the One Who had made the stars…and had led them here.  And they worshipped Him.

God made clear to His people in Old Testament times that His salvation and His love were not just for the Jews.  They were for all the world.  Jews and Gentiles.

He was never just the God of the Jews.  He simply gave the Jewish people the high privilege of introducing Him to the rest of the world He had made and loved.

Jesus was the Messiah of the Gentiles, too.

Psalms 72:10,11   “The Kings of Tarshish and of the isles will bring presents; The kings of Sheba and Seba will offer gifts.  Yes, all kings shall fall down before Him; all nations shall serve Him.”

 Isaiah 42:1  “Behold!  My servant whom I uphold, My Elect One in whom My soul delights!  I have put my Spirit upon Him; He will bring forth justice to the Gentiles.”

 Isaiah 42:6  “I, the Lord, have called You in righteousness, and will hold your hand; I will keep You and give You as a covenant to the people, as a light to the Gentiles”

 Isaiah 11:10  “And in that day there shall be a Root of Jesse, Who shall stand as a banner to the people;  for the Gentiles shall seek Him, and resting place shall be glorious.”

The Three Wise Gentiles were the first of millions of gentiles who would someday bow their knee to the Messiah of Israel – the King of the world.