Christian Humility

Reflections for this date are based on the following scripture passages:

Matthew 2

The Gospel of Matthew gives the account in chapter 2 of the visit of the wise men from the east to the baby Jesus in Nazareth. These men are a mysterious group. Who were they? What country in the east were they from? How did they know of Jesus birth and of the significance of the star they followed? And how did they know of Jesus' significance? The list of questions about these men could go on, but these are an example of the mystery surrounding them.

All of us who consider ourselves to be faithful followers of Christ should take caution from these men. Why? Because we are ever in danger of becoming smug in our understanding of scripture and of God's purposes as were the religious leaders of Jesus' day. No one was wise as they were, they supposed. No one merited God's favor as did they, or so they thought. And yet, here were these non-Jewish and unknown men, from who knows where, who were wiser than they regarding the birth of God's Son.

We must ever be cautious about presuming to be the only true followers of Christ or having greater knowledge or inside information from God or in general being smug about our relationship with God over anyone else. Warren Wiersbe comments on these wise men saying, "Their experience is a good lesson in finding the will of God: (1) they followed the light God gave them; (2) they confirmed their steps by the Word of God; and (3) they obeyed God without question and He led them each step of the way. Note that they went home by “another way” (Mat_2:12). Anyone who comes to Christ will go home another way and be a new creature (2Co_5:17)."