Encounters with Jesus: Magi

Sometime after Jesus’ birth, Magi from the East came to worship the King of the Jews.  It is conceivable that they came from Babylon, some 1700 miles from Jerusalem.  A trip of that length is not fun even today, but back then, traveling by foot or camel would have been exhausting.  What would make Gentiles leave their homes and their comfortable lives to travel so far to meet the King of the Jews?

If they were from Babylon, it is conceivable that they were familiar with the prophecies of Daniel, who had also served as a wise man in Babylon.  In Daniel 9, he laid out a timeline for the coming of the Messiah, and Numbers 24:17 tells us “… A star will come out of Jacob; a scepter will rise out of Israel” (NI84).  Together, these prophecies would have told them when and where to look for the Messiah that Daniel had written about. 

Knowledge of when and where would not have been enough to cause them to leave their comfort zone.  Only divine intervention could have led them to the young Savior.  Their gifts served not only to recognize and honor His authority and Divinity but also provided the funds that Joseph needed to save his family from Herod’s wrath.

God sometimes moves us out of our comfort zone to fulfill a greater purpose, just as He did with the Wise Men.  Several years ago, He moved me way out of my comfort zone when He took me on a mission survey trip to Southeast Asia.  Before that 8,000-mile trip, I had only been on a plane once, and it was only a 4-hour flight.  This trip took almost two days, with layovers.  Once there, we experienced a train wreck, a taxi wreck, a taxi collision with a rickshaw, and a 7-hour taxi ride of “chicken.”  I was way out of my comfort zone!

Yet, God had multiple purposes for that trip.  First, our church adopted an unreached people group in that country, and after praying for almost 15 years, we recently learned that multiple house churches have been established there.  For me, He helped me overcome my fear of flying, which allowed me to serve on a mission in New England for several years.  More importantly, on that 7-hour taxi ride, when I was sure that we were going to die, He taught me what it means to have His peace, which is beyond human understanding (Philippians 4:7). 

If we are willing, God will take us out of our comfort zones to encounter Him in fresh new ways—ways that will deepen our faith like never before.  The Magi left their comfort zone to encounter the King!  How is God calling you to leave your comfort zone to encounter Him?

Matthew 2:1 – 12

“The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe” (Proverbs 18:10 NIV84).