(Source from “The Word Among Us”)

The star . . . stopped over the place where the child was. (Matthew 2:9)

Imagine how difficult the Magi’s journey was. If they came from Persia, as most scholars believe, they would have had to travel nearly one thousand miles. That’s four months on the road. Travelling all that time with treasures like gold, frankincense, and myrrh would have made them ripe targets for brigands and highway robbers. And then there were the general conditions, “the ways deep and the weather sharp,” as the poet T. S. Eliot put it. How many times do you think they were tempted to turn around and return home?

To add insult to injury, when they came to Jerusalem, they discovered there was no “newborn king of the Jews” to be found (Matthew 2:2). They had to go to Bethlehem and “search diligently” for him there (2:8).

What a model of faithfulness and perseverance! And these were pagans who didn’t even worship the God of Israel!

On this day, when we celebrate the first Gentiles to worship the Lord Jesus, let’s follow their example on our own journey toward Jesus.

When the way of discipleship seems too deep and the weather too sharp, picture the Magi trudging over miles and miles, determined to get to Jesus.

When the lies of the devil or the allure of the world tries to rob you of your faith, picture the Magi guarding their treasures.

When the road to holiness turns out to be longer than you thought it would be, or when it takes an unexpected turn, picture the Magi pressing on to Bethlehem to seek the Christ child.

The Magi were “overjoyed” when they found the Lord (Matthew 2:10). Similarly, your perseverance will be rewarded with the deep-down joy that comes from knowing the overflowing love of Jesus. Surely this is a journey worth taking!

“Jesus, help me to persevere so that I can behold your glory!”