Rev. Johnson V

25th December 2011 

There were two categories of people who came to greet Jesus after His birth - the shepherds (Luke 2:1-20) and the wise men (Mathew 2:1-2).

Who were the shepherds? They were most likely not normal shepherds, but were watching over Passover lambs. They were ‘Levitical’ shepherds. So when the angels came down from heaven and spoke to them, they knew what the angel was talking about because they knew that a Messiah was expected. 

Who were the wise men? Contrary to popular belief, we don’t know exactly how many wise men came to worship the Lord Jesus. Some historians have documented that over 800 caravans travelled from the east to pay homage to the Lord Jesus. It is likely that the wise men were a confederation from over 13 countries in the east, including India, China and other countries. Each country had sorcerers, soothsayers, astrologers, black magicians etc, and were collectively called wise men. Some historians claim that Daniel was the greatest of all Chaldean magicians. He survived over 3 empires because of his gift of prophesy. He became so famous, some historians write, that people erected monuments and worshipped him after his death. Daniel most likely also had students from various parts of the world, who came to study under him. One Zoroastrian historian has documented that Daniel taught about the King of the world coming to the earth and an unusual star that would appear in the sky heralding His birth. So it is likely that many wise men from Easter countries were looking for the star and when they saw it, they knew that the King was born. The wise men probably discussed the arrival of this Ruler of the world with their countries rulers, and they felt it wise to make the journey to offer the King gifts as symbols of their friendship and peace. So the wise men of over 13 countries made the long journey to Nazareth, approximately 150km from Bethelem to pay homage to Jesus. One thing they didn’t realize was that our Lord Jesus came to establish a spiritual kingdom, not an earthly, geographical one.

The wise men brought gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. Gold is a gift normally given to royalty. Frankincense is a gift normally given to the priestly class. And Myrrh is normally given to men of God, avatars of God. The wise men travelled and came to worship Jesus Christ when He was around 2 years old. Astronomers document that a special star appeared and later disappeared, a star that announced His birth.

Similarities between the shepherds and the wise men

• Both had heavenly visions.

• Both were given a sense of direction

• Both were given a message that they could understand. They were not given the same message.

• The message that both groups heard, demanded a journey.

• The message that both groups heard, demanded worship.

• Both groups understood that salvation was not present in the signs they received.

Differences between the shepherds and the wise men

• God spoke in different ways to both groups. They responded differently to both.

• The angel spoke to the shepherds. The wise men saw the star.

• Both groups brought different gifts.

• Both groups had different fears and expectations.

• The wise men worshipped Jesus, while the shepherds told others.

• The shepherds met the Lord in a manger, but the wise men met Him in a house.

• Shepherds travelled a short distance, and the wise men travelled a long distance.

Life application lessons

• We should worship like the wise men and publish who God is like the shepherds.

• We must travel the distance but we must not stop until we reach Jesus.

• We must be thankful for the sign but that should not be the focus. Our Lord must be the focus of our worship and thankfulness. 

• Jesus was protected from Herod. He will protect us too. Our life is secure only in His hands.