Coming Out of Darkness: The Journey of the Wise Men

There's something profound about childhood fears of the dark. Most of us can remember lying in bed as children, comforted by the soft glow of a nightlight, finding peace in even the smallest illumination. But what happens when we grow up and discover that some people aren't afraid of the dark at all—they're actually afraid of the light?
This paradox sits at the heart of one of Scripture's most captivating narratives: the journey of the wise men to worship the newborn King.
Two Kings, Two Kingdoms
The story unfolds in a time of political tension. Herod the Great ruled as king of the Jews under Roman authority, a man known for his architectural genius but also for his ruthless paranoia. He was an Edomite—a descendant of Esau—which meant he came from a line historically opposed to Jacob's descendants. This wasn't just political rivalry; it was ancient enmity playing out on history's stage.
When wise men from the east arrived in Jerusalem asking, "Where is he who has been born king of the Jews?" the contrast couldn't have been starker. Here was Herod, a self-appointed king who murdered his own family members to protect his throne, confronted with news of a genuine King whose coming had been written in the stars and prophesied centuries before.
The response? Herod was troubled. All Jerusalem was troubled with him.
But why? Shouldn't God's people have been excited about their promised Messiah? The answer reveals something uncomfortable about human nature: we often prefer the darkness of our own understanding to the light of divine revelation.
The Prophecy Fulfilled
Herod knew where to look for answers. He summoned the chief priests and scribes, who immediately pointed to Micah's prophecy: "But you, O Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah, for from you shall come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel."
This prophecy, written 700 years before Christ's birth, pinpointed the exact location where the Messiah would be born. It's remarkable that Bethlehem—an insignificant town—would be chosen as the birthplace of the King of Kings. But this is how God works: choosing the humble, the small, the unlikely to accomplish His greatest purposes.
The prophecy also reveals something crucial about what kind of king Jesus would be. He wouldn't be a tyrant like Herod, ruling through fear and violence. He would be a shepherd—one who cares for, protects, and lays down his life for his sheep.
The Reliability of God's Word
Peter, who witnessed the transfiguration and heard God's voice from heaven declaring Jesus as His beloved Son, made a stunning statement: the prophetic word of Scripture is even more certain than hearing God's audible voice. Why? Because "no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit."
This is the foundation we stand on. God's Word is trustworthy, reliable, and fully sufficient. The wise men were following prophecies and signs that God had established long before. They weren't following cleverly devised myths or human wisdom—they were following divine revelation.
The Journey of True Worship
These wise men traveled somewhere between 600 to 900 miles—a journey of weeks through difficult terrain. They came from the east, possibly from the region of ancient Babylon, carrying treasures of immense value. When they finally found the child, Matthew records that "they fell down and worshiped him."
Notice what they didn't do: they didn't worship the star that led them. They didn't worship Mary. They worshiped Jesus alone.
Their gifts were prophetic:
Gold represented kingship—acknowledging Jesus as the true King.
Frankincense was used by priests in worship, pointing to Jesus as our High Priest who would offer Himself as the perfect sacrifice.
Myrrh was used in burial, foreshadowing Jesus's death. Significantly, myrrh mixed with wine was offered to Jesus on the cross as a pain reliever, but He refused it. He had to experience the full weight of God's wrath against sin—our sin placed upon Him.
Head Worship vs. Heart Worship
Herod claimed he wanted to worship the child too. He knew the right Scripture. He said the right words. But his heart was murderous. This reveals a critical truth: head worship without heart worship is false worship.
We can know all the right answers, attend all the right services, and say all the right prayers, but if our hearts are bent toward self-worship rather than God-worship, we're no different than Herod. True worship flows from a transformed heart that recognizes Jesus as worthy of everything we have and are.
Walking a Different Way
After worshiping Jesus, the wise men were warned in a dream not to return to Herod. So they went home "by another way." This detail is more than geographical—it's spiritual. When we encounter the true King and bow before Him in genuine worship, we can't go back the same way we came.
We become strangers and aliens in this world. We walk in the light rather than darkness. We deny ourselves, take up our cross, and follow Jesus. There's no turning back.
Every Knee Will Bow
Philippians 2 reminds us that Jesus, though He was in the form of God, emptied Himself and took on human flesh. He humbled Himself to the point of death on a cross. Therefore, God has highly exalted Him, and one day every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord.
The question isn't whether you'll bow—it's when and under what circumstances. Will you bow now in grateful worship, receiving His mercy and grace? Or will you bow later in judgment, when it's too late for redemption?
From Darkness to Light
God revealed Himself to wise men from a distant land living in spiritual darkness. If He can call them from hundreds of miles away to worship His Son, He can reach anyone, anywhere. The same God who placed a star in the sky to guide seekers to Jesus is still drawing people out of darkness into His marvelous light.
This Christmas season, let's not be like those in Jerusalem who were troubled by the King's arrival. Let's be like the wise men who rejoiced exceedingly with great joy when they found Him. Let's bring our best treasures—our time, our talents, our very lives—and lay them at His feet.
Because He is worthy. He is the Light of the World. And in Him, we need never fear the darkness again.