An Epiphany portrait

This portrait from my book Biblical Portraits tells an important truth about the Wise Men.  I owe the original thought to George Carson, a choir teacher from Bakersfield, who was one of the most interesting and engaging men I've ever known.

Epiphany

The Wise Men may not have been the first to see the star, but they were the first Gentiles to receive the gift that the star gave.  They were men of knowledge, men of wisdom and understanding.  Many saw the star and marveled; these men saw the star and understood its meaning.  They saw it as a portent—it stood as a marker to light the path of those traveling in darkness seeking the king of the Jews.

The Wise men thought they understood the sign of the star.  They traveled to Jerusalem to greet the king.  Arriving in Jerusalem, they inquired of Herod, which seemed the right thing to do.  After all, if a new king had been born, wouldn’t it make sense for him to be born of the old king?  Herod was ignorant of any new king.  He was not, however, ignorant of the importance of the sign.  He sent for his own wise men, who looked in their holy books and proclaimed that if Messiah, the king of the Jews, was, in fact, born, his birthplace would be in Bethlehem.  The king secretly informed the wise men of the true birthplace, and the wise men agreed to come back and tell Herod where to find the new king, so that he could also come and worship. 

The Magi traveled on, understanding in part, but not in whole.  They knew that they were looking for a king—but they had no idea what kind of king it was that they sought.  When they found their king, he was not in a palace, not in a stable, but in a house.  They entered the house and they finally understood fully.   They encountered not just a king, but God made Man.  Their understanding caused them to fall on their faces and worship.  And they did not return to Jerusalem.  God spoke to them in a dream, and they went home a different way.

They went home a different way. This is the lesson of the Magi—once you have encountered Christ, you are changed.  What you thought you knew is put aside, and in its place comes true knowledge.  You come face to face with Truth, and you fall on your face in front of it.  You know that your life will never be the same.

The Wise Men sought a king and found God.  What are you seeking?  Will you look into Mary’s house as they did?  Will you fall on your face before the living God?  And will you go home another way?