That flush had to hurt. But the timing of this hand was fascinating - as some people celebrated "Three Kings Day" Saturday.
The event is supposed to commemorate when three kings appeared before the newborn baby Jesus with gifts. The problem is that the Bible doesn't really record it that way....
After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea during the time of King Herod, Magic from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, "Where is the one who has been born King of the Jews? We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him." - Matthew 2:1-2
Magi in the NIV translates as "wise men" in many other translations. Simply because they were wise does not mean they were kings. In fact, the Moffatt paraphrase calls them "magicians".
On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him.... - Matthew 2:11
Our NIV Study Bible comments in its notes on this verse: "Contrary to tradition, the Magi did not visit Jesus at the manger on the night of his birth as did the shepherds. They came some months later and visited him as a 'child' in his 'house.'"
...Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold and of incense and of myrrh. - Matthew 2:11b
Many people presume if there were three gifts, there had to be three wise men. But quoting from the notes again: "...the Bible does not indicate the number of the Magi, and they were almost certainly not kings."
Yet putting all the man-made traditions aside, note what the Magi did. They worshiped Jesus - even though He was a child, perhaps less than one year old. King Herod talked about worshiping as well (verse 8), but instead considered Jesus a threat to his throne and ordered a maniacal murder spree (verse 16).
Three kings at a poker table sometimes get dethroned. One "newborn King" can make some people mad. Yet that "king of kings" (Revelation 19:16) still should be worshiped - and the day is coming when everyone will:
...That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth. - Philippians 2:10
We strongly suggest you not get angry about this. Wise men worshiped. You can, too.
No comments:
Post a Comment