42
The Desire of Ages
“When they were come into the house, they saw the young child
with Mary His mother, and fell down, and worshiped Him.” Beneath
the lowly guise of Jesus, they recognized the presence of Divinity.
They gave their hearts to Him as their Saviour, and then poured out
their gifts,—“gold, and frankincense, and myrrh.” What a faith was
theirs! It might have been said of the wise men from the East, as
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afterward of the Roman centurion, “I have not found so great faith, no,
not in Israel.”
Matthew 8:10
.
The wise men had not penetrated Herod’s design toward Jesus.
When the object of their journey was accomplished, they prepared
to return to Jerusalem, intending to acquaint him with their success.
But in a dream they received a divine message to hold no further
communication with him. Avoiding Jerusalem, they set out for their
own country by another route.
In like manner Joseph received warning to flee into Egypt with
Mary and the child. And the angel said, “Be thou there until I bring
thee word: for Herod will seek the young child to destroy Him.” Joseph
obeyed without delay, setting out on the journey by night for greater
security.
Through the wise men, God had called the attention of the Jewish
nation to the birth of His Son. Their inquiries in Jerusalem, the popular
interest excited, and even the jealousy of Herod, which compelled the
attention of the priests and rabbis, directed minds to the prophecies
concerning the Messiah, and to the great event that had just taken
place.
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Satan was bent on shutting out the divine light from the world, and
he used his utmost cunning to destroy the Saviour. But He who never
slumbers nor sleeps was watching over His beloved Son. He who had
rained manna from heaven for Israel and had fed Elijah in the time
of famine provided in a heathen land a refuge for Mary and the child
Jesus. And through the gifts of the magi from a heathen country, the
Lord supplied the means for the journey into Egypt and the sojourn in
a land of strangers.
The magi had been among the first to welcome the Redeemer.
Their gift was the first that was laid at His feet. And through that gift,
what privilege of ministry was theirs! The offering from the heart that
loves, God delights to honor, giving it highest efficiency in service for
Him. If we have given our hearts to Jesus, we also shall bring our gifts