Feb. 10, 2008 - So Close, Yet So Far Away
Okay, it's taken me some time to get back to this, but I told you I had more questions about those Magi men. And now I'm back with a little time on my hands. First of all, I wondered how they came to be so certain and dedicated to the finding of the newborn king Jesus. Well, my second question is about their return home.
They came to seek the Christ child, they found him, left some gifts, and then what? Did they trek back through the desert sand and just go back to life as they had known it before their journey? Did they go back to "normal life?" Were they still looking to stars to determine their fates? Were they still worshiping idols of wood and stone? I have never seen anything at all about the possibility of them being changed by their encounter with the Messiah, let alone them bringing change back to influence the societies they lived in. In fact they left no shred of having ever been to Jesus, so we can't even pinpoint exactly who they were or where they came from! We can find ample evidence of Vikings coming to North America. We find evidence of so many ancient civilizations encountering and interacting with one another. The moon even bears evidence that we were there! But these men? They apparently just treated their visit with the Savior as just another trip to another historical monument. That just astounds me! They go to all that trouble, and then come away with zip, zilch, nada! At least it appears that way from the lack of historical evidence of them being altered in any way.
I still wonder if perhaps they did continue to mull over this tiny baby? A baby from a Nobody family, from a Nobody town, yet he incurred the wrath of the ruler of the whole region just by being born! Were they awed by Jesus? (I figure they must have been considering the fine gifts they left with him?) Were they expecting more? Someone closer to who they were? Darker? Smarter? Richer? In their place of life and station maybe? Or did they look at this baby like we look at insect collections? Something to oooh and aaaah over, and then go away without another thought? Did they just add him to their own long lists of gods and idols to revere? I wonder if they continued to track Jesus during his growing up, his ministry, death, and resurrection? What did they think then? I just wish I knew...
I do not know what on earth these men thought... But I can still learn from them. The questions that I ask of them I fire right back at myself. How will time and space view my relationship with the Savior? Will He be a palpable presence in my life? Or will there be no discernible evidence of His ever even being on my radar? I so want my life to be like an airport at night- that there will be a clear path of light illuminating exactly where my heart lies, visible for all to see, near and far. Oh, Lord, please don't let my heart be so callous that I am unaffected by You. Let me always approach you with the awe, the wonder, the respect, the love that You are worthy of. I want to examine your word from the perspective of my heart, never with latex gloves, in a cold, sterile room, under some microscope lens. Let my learning always be close, personal, warm, and living. Change me. Let no one have to wonder where I stand in regards to Jesus.
I am so amazed how these Magi can be so challenging to me! It's such a paradox- I want to be so like them in some ways, and yet in others, I want to be the exact opposite. They seem to be the epitome of "so close, yet so far away. "
Comments
Feb. 10, 2008 - Untitled Comment
Posted by Javanuts
I have never pondered this before...thank you for bringing it to my attention. Now I am curious! This is a wonderful entry.
Feb. 11, 2008 - Untitled Comment
Posted by lahbluebonnet
Very interesting! I have an award for you at my blog!
Blessings,
Laurie
