What the Wise Men Knew That We Often Miss

When I was in university in America in the late 90s, and I began to sense that God was calling me into full-time ministry, my heart was wide open and eager to serve the LORD—wherever and however He called me. At least, that’s what I told myself.

I did, however, have one unspoken caveat. One particular place I silently, desperately hoped God would not call me to. A specific corner of the world that loomed in my mind like a shadowed wilderness. And that place?

Northern Nigeria.

Let me explain.

Before relocating to America, my family lived in Lagos for many years. But my mother had grown up in the North—in Kaduna and Kano, places woven into her stories, but not always with fondness. Her youth had been marred by the violent 1982 Kafanchan and Kaduna riots, when Muslim extremists swept through, attacking and killing Christians. Her memories became the stories I grew up on—accounts that chilled my little soul and hardened my view of the North. To us southerners (then, and even now still), it didn’t matter whether you were talking about Jos, Sokoto, or Maiduguri. To us, the North was the North: a singular vast land of danger, death, and a place where Christians simply did not belong.

So, decades later when I packed my bags to enter seminary in New York to train for ministry, my heart was still open to God—mostly. Mostly. I’d pray bold prayers like, “Here I am, Lord! Send me!” but under my breath, I’d add, “Just… not there.”

I had vivid, almost cinematic fears: visions of myself as a lonely, single missionary wandering the dust of northern Nigeria, preaching the Gospel until the day a mob of angry Muslims would hunt me down and, well… hack me to death for Jesus. It was a dark, unrelenting fear—one that grew so large it took root in my soul, sprouting resentment.

I won’t sugarcoat it—I wrestled with God.

Somehow, deep down, I knew. Even as I declared my willingness to go anywhere for the Lord, there was this quiet, nagging sense that I might end up in the one place I dreaded most—the North. I tried to dismiss the thought, convincing myself that it would never come to that. Surely, God wouldn’t send me there.

But the fear lingered like a shadow.

In my woundedness, I begrudgingly served God, year after year, always bracing for “the call.” I had this distorted belief that God was only truly pleased when His servants suffered—when they endured hardship, much like the prophets and apostles of old. And so, I waited, carrying this weight like a stone on my chest, allowing it to steal my joy and shrink my vision of who God truly is.

And now for the irony.

Do you want to know the one place God, in His infinite wisdom and unmatched sense of humour, decided to send me as a missionary?

That’s right—north-central Nigeria!

There’s a whole, long story about how God eventually convinced my wife and me to pack our lives in New Jersey, our kids, and our prayers into boxes and board a plane to serve Him here in Plateau State. But despite my fears and insecurities…

You want to know what I discovered?

Of all the ministry assignments I’ve ever had, of all the places I’ve served since I began following this call, living and serving Jesus here in Jos has been the most fulfilling and rewarding experience of my entire life. In the words of the famous missionary, Jim Elliot, “He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose.”

Here in Jos, I’ve found greater clarity in my calling. I’ve grown as a leader in ways I never imagined. What I once viewed as a place of dread has become a land of promise—a place where God’s grace has been magnified in my life over and over again. Even when we travel back to the United States for sabbaticals or furlough, something strange happens. About halfway through the trip, my wife, my kids, and I all start counting down the days—not to the end of the sabbatical, but to the day we can get back home. To Jos.

To Home.

I smile when I think about it now. The very place I feared most—the North—is where I have found more joy, purpose, and fulfilment than I ever thought possible. It’s as if the enemy had carefully wielded fear throughout my life, building it like a wall to keep me from the place where God’s greatest glory would be revealed—in me and through me.

Allow me to sum this all up in the truth that has become the cornerstone of my life:

WHEN YOU RUN WHOLEHEARTEDLY AFTER JESUS, YOU WILL FIND MORE THAN YOU CAN POSSIBLY HOPE FOR.

That’s not just a nice phrase—it’s the central truth of this Christmas blog post.

Let me show you in Word of God a moment of history where this same principle comes alive in an extraordinary way, an event that takes place shortly after the birth of Jesus Christ.

This story unfolds in Matthew 2:1-12, where we find the tale of the Magi—the mysterious Wise Men from the East—who embarked on an extraordinary journey, a journey that would lead them to discover more than they ever hoped for.

Now, there’s been no shortage of speculation about these men over the centuries. Tradition says there were three of them (probably because of the three gifts), and someone even gave them names: Gaspar, Melchior, and Balthasar. But let’s be honest—it doesn’t really matter whether their names were Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, and Vixen, or if their names were Ronnie, Bobby, Ricky, and Mike, Ralph and Johnny too (N.E 4EVER).

What does matter is the purpose and the motivation behind their long and arduous journey. These men—whoever they were—came seeking a king. And in their search, they found far more than they ever imagined: they found the Savior of the world.

Matthew 2:1-12, “After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem 2 and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.” 3 When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him. 4 When he had called together all the people’s chief priests and teachers of the law, he asked them where the Messiah was to be born. 5 “In Bethlehem in Judea,” they replied, “for this is what the prophet has written: 6 “‘But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for out of you will come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel.’” 7 Then Herod called the Magi secretly and found out from them the exact time the star had appeared. 8 He sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search carefully for the child. As soon as you find him, report to me, so that I too may go and worship him.”

[He’s lying, but we’ll get to that later] 

9 After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen when it rose, went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. 10 When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. 11 On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. 12 And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route.”

If we squeezed this passage down to its essence, the central idea that would flow from it is what I shared with you earlier:

WHEN YOU RUN WHOLEHEARTEDLY AFTER JESUS, YOU WILL FIND MORE THAN YOU CAN POSSIBLY HOPE FOR.

These Wise Men had tracked with a star for nearly 800 miles from the East. Picture that: eight hundred miles of treacherous desert roads, harsh weather, and the constant risk of bandits. This wasn’t a casual stroll or adventurous road trip. This was a deliberate and costly pursuit—a journey of faith.

And at the end of it? They didn’t find a palace. They didn’t find a powerful warrior seated on a golden throne.

THEY FOUND A CHILD-KING WHO WOULD SAVE THE WORLD.

Now let’s work our way through this miraculous event by asking three key questions that will help us more fully appreciate the magnitude of this story: 

1. Who were these Wise Men?

2. What was this strange, moving star they were following?

3. Why did they bring these very specific gifts?

WHO WERE THE WISE MEN?

The Wise Men—or Magi—were not random wanderers. They were men of significant status and influence. They came from the Parthian Empire, a powerful kingdom to the east of Jerusalem. To put this into a modern map, Parthia covered much of what we now know as Iran and Iraq, stretching south into the Arabian Peninsula. It was a powerful empire that rivaled Rome.

The Magi were part of the priestly-political class of their society—scholars, astrologers, and advisors who played a key role in the governance of their empire. Their origins can actually be traced back to the Old Testament, to the time of Daniel in Babylon. In Daniel 2:48, after interpreting King Nebuchadnezzar’s dream, Daniel was placed in charge of all the “wise men” of Babylon. Think about that! Daniel, a faithful follower of Yahweh, became a leader among these scholars and likely passed on prophetic teachings about the coming Messiah—a future king who would rise to save the world.

So, these Magi, hundreds of years later, weren’t just star-chasers; they were truth-seekers. They had likely studied Daniel’s writings and connected the dots when they saw the star in the heavens. They knew something monumental had happened, and they couldn’t ignore it.

But let’s not miss this: these men were also kingmakers. They were the ones who anointed kings in their empire. Their presence was a statement—political, spiritual, and symbolic. Furthermore, when the Magi travelled, they didn’t slip into town unnoticed. They travelled in style—with military escorts, servants, and camels loaded with treasures. If this were today, it would be like seeing convoys of black SUVs, Mercedes-Benz sedans, and motorcycle escorts rolling into a small, quiet neighborhood in Jenta Mangoro here in Jos just to pay respects to a 16-year-old girl whose baby was just born.

Can you imagine? It would be everywhere—Instagram stories blowing up, Facebook Live feeds streaming, and TikTok videos going viral. People would gather in crowds, phones in hand, whispering, “Who are these people? And what are they doing here?” That’s the kind of scene that unfolded when the Magi arrived in Judea. And to make matters worse—at least for the locals—they came asking the most provocative question possible: a question loud enough to shake the foundations of Jerusalem:

“Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews?” (Matthew 2:2).

THE PROBLEM: ENTER HEROD THE GREAT

Now, let’s zoom in on this moment. Who was the king of Judea at that time?

Herod the Great—a man who ruled with an iron fist and a jealous, paranoid heart. History remembers him not as “great,” but as a violent, insecure tyrant. This was the kind of ruler who would eliminate anyone he suspected of threatening his throne—even his own family.

So, when the Magi—the kingmakers—entered Judea asking about a new “king of the Jews,” they unintentionally poked a viper’s nest and awakened a venomous snake. Herod was alarmed, and rightly so. If these powerful men had come all the way from the East to worship a newborn king, then that king was a threat to his rule.

Herod’s paranoia was contagious. Matthew 2:3 tells us: “When King Herod heard this, he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him.” Why was all Jerusalem disturbed? Because they knew exactly what Herod was capable of when he felt threatened. They had seen his rage before. They knew that bloodshed was coming, and innocent lives would be caught in the crossfire. And sure enough, later in this chapter, Herod sends soldiers to slaughter every male child under two years old in Bethlehem—an act of sheer evil born out of fear.

WHAT MOTIVATED THE MAGI TO SEARCH FOR THIS KING?

But let’s pause here and ask a critical question:

What could possibly motivate these men to embark on such a long and dangerous journey? Why would they leave the comfort of their palaces, pack up their treasures, and travel 800 miles through desert sands, risking their safety, all to find a baby in a distant land?

It seems almost irrational—unless you understand that these men weren’t chasing a political ambition or a philosophical idea. They were pursuing a revelation. These men were astrologers, and in the ancient world, the heavens were seen as a reflection of events on earth. When they saw a unique star rise in the sky, they knew something profound had occurred.

New Testament scholar N.T. Wright captures this well when he writes:

“When something important was happening on earth, you could expect to see it reflected in the heavens. Alternatively, a remarkable event among the stars and planets must mean, they thought, a remarkable event on earth.”

The Magi recognized the star as a divine sign—a prophecy fulfilled. Numbers 24:17 had foretold: “A star shall come out of Jacob, and a scepter shall rise out of Israel.” Hence, the Wise Men believed this prophecy was unfolding before their eyes, and they weren’t going to miss it.

Now, here’s where the story takes an ironic and sobering turn.

When the Magi arrived in Jerusalem, they confidently asked in verse 2: “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.”

Notice their assumption: Everyone in Jerusalem must have seen the same star! Surely, the entire city would be celebrating, and the temple priests would be leading joyous worship in honor of the newborn king!

But what did they find?

Nothing.

No celebrations. No parades. No welcome parties.

No one knew. No one paid attention. And no one was even looking.

Here’s what makes this even more shocking: When King Herod heard the news, he gathered the chief priests and teachers of the law, who quickly found the prophecy in Scripture pointing to Bethlehem as the birthplace of the Messiah.

Yet, they didn’t go to seek out their Messiah.

The very people who had studied the Scriptures all their lives—those who should have been eagerly watching for the arrival of their Messiah—missed the sign completely.

And who recognized it?

Strangers. Outsiders. A group of pagan astrologers from a distant empire traveled 800 miles to seek out the King of the Jews.

Let that sink in for a moment.

• The insiders missed it.

• The outsiders recognized it.

• The ones who should have known remained indifferent.

• The ones least expected to understand came ready to worship.

It’s a sobering reminder that familiarity with religion is no guarantee of recognizing Jesus. You can know the Scriptures, attend every church service, and still miss the Savior standing in your midst.

Father, help us.

WHAT WAS THIS STAR THEY WERE FOLLOWING?

Verse 9 says: “After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen when it rose went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was.”

The first thing we need to recognize about this star is that its appearance and movement were supernatural.

This was no ordinary celestial event. Not only did the star shine brightly, but it moved with purpose—leading the Magi step by step until it stopped precisely over the place where Jesus was. Some scholars suggest that this “star” may have been the shining glory of a guiding angel, appearing in the sky to direct them. And that would make sense because throughout the Christmas story, God sends angels to deliver His messages of joy and salvation.

Whatever the physical nature of the star, the more significant point is its connection to the fulfilment of prophecy. As far back as the book of Numbers, Balaam prophesied in Numbers 24:17: “A star shall come out of Jacob, and a scepter shall rise out of Israel.”

This star was a divine sign—a signal from heaven—that the promised King had come. The Magi—outsiders—refused to miss it. They left everything behind, stepped out in faith, and ran wholeheartedly after the sign God had given them. And because they did, they found far more than they had hoped for.

Verse 11 shows us their hearts clearly: “On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.”

These men came prepared to worship. They didn’t just offer empty words or ritualistic gestures. They bowed in humility and brought their very best treasures—gold, frankincense, and myrrh. And here’s what’s remarkable:

• When they first set out on their journey, they were looking for a king.

• They had no idea that this King would be the Savior of the world.

• They had no idea they would be among the first in history to worship the Messiah face-to-face.

• They had no idea their story would be told and retold for generations, pointing people to Jesus.

They came seeking a child-king. What they found was the eternal Savior of their souls.

Listen carefully:

WHEN YOU RUN WHOLEHEARTEDLY AFTER JESUS, YOU WILL FIND MORE THAN YOU CAN POSSIBLY HOPE FOR.

The Magi remind us of a profound truth: God honors those who seek Him. The journey may be long. It may be filled with uncertainty and obstacles. But when you pursue Jesus with all your heart, you will never leave empty-handed.

The Magi didn’t return to Parthia disappointed. They returned changed—forever marked by an encounter with the living King.

And the same is true for us today. When we approach Jesus in worship, when we bring Him our best—not just our treasures, but our time, our hearts, and our lives—we discover that He is far more than we imagined.

He is the King. He is the Savior. And He is worth the journey.

BUT, WHY DID THEY BRING THESE THREE VERY SPECIFIC GIFTS?

The gifts of the Magi—gold, frankincense, and myrrh—weren’t random. Each one carried deep symbolic significance, pointing to Jesus’ identity and mission. Let’s break it down:

GOLD

Gold has always been a symbol of royalty, authority, and wealth. It’s the kind of gift you bring to a king. By offering gold, the Magi were acknowledging Jesus’ royal status. They recognized that this child was no ordinary baby—He was born to rule. But not just as the King of the Jews—as King of kings and Savior of the world.

This gift also fulfilled prophecy. In Isaiah 60:6, the prophet spoke of nations bringing gold and frankincense to honor the LORD. The arrival of these Gentile Magi with their gold was a powerful foreshadowing: Jesus would be worshiped by people from every tribe, tongue, and nation.

And let’s not overlook the practical side of this gift. Within weeks, Joseph and Mary would have to flee to Egypt to escape Herod’s wrath. They were young parents, far from wealthy, with a newborn child. So, in a more practical way, this gold would have provided the resources they needed for the journey and their time in exile.

LISTEN: When God calls, He supplies. The Magi’s gold was a reminder that God always provides what we need for the calling He places on our lives.

FRANKINCENSE

Frankincense was a priestly gift. In the Old Testament, it was burned by priests in the temple as part of their worship and offerings. The rising smoke symbolized the prayers of the people ascending to heaven—bridging the gap between earth and God.

By bringing frankincense, the Magi were pointing to Jesus’ role as our Great High Priest—the One who would intercede for us, not with incense, but with His very life. Through His death and resurrection, Jesus would bridge the gap between sinful humanity and a holy God, offering forgiveness and reconciliation. On a practical note, frankincense was also a valuable commodity, used for trade and medicinal purposes. Who knows how many times teenage Jesus may have needed some frankincense for a scraped knee or bruised elbow!

MYRRH

Myrrh is the most puzzling of the three gifts. It was a spice primarily used for embalming the dead—not exactly what you’d expect to bring to a baby shower or naming ceremony. But myrrh pointed to something profound. While gold and frankincense spoke to Jesus’ kingship and priesthood, myrrh foreshadowed His sacrificial death.

In John 19:39, we read that after Jesus’ crucifixion, His body was embalmed with myrrh. The very gift brought to Him at His birth symbolized the price He would pay for the sins of the world. The Magi, whether they fully understood it or not, were honouring the child who was born to die—to be pierced and to bleed for the redemption of humanity.

GOLD. FRANKINCENSE. MYRRH.

Each gift told a part of Jesus’ story:

• Gold for the King who would reign.

• Frankincense for the Priest who would intercede.

• Myrrh for the Savior who would die.

These were no accidental choices. God was using the gifts of the Magi to reveal the identity and mission of His Son.

THE MAGI’S WORSHIP

Here’s what strikes me: Some of us only worship God with our whole hearts when He provides for us—when He answers prayers, opens doors, or meets our needs. But the Magi worshiped Jesus before He had done anything for them. At this point, He hadn’t spoken a word, healed a sick person, or performed a miracle. Yet they gave Him their best—their treasures, their time, and their hearts.

Let me repeat the central idea: WHEN YOU RUN WHOLEHEARTEDLY AFTER JESUS, YOU WILL FIND MORE THAN YOU CAN POSSIBLY HOPE FOR.

The Magi didn’t know the full story when they set out from Parthia. They had no idea that their names would be remembered for generations. They couldn’t have imagined that 2,000 years later, people on every continent would be retelling their story once a year every year! Some of us enter rooms and are forgotten 10 minutes after we leave. Some of us preach sermons, and by the next day, no one remembers what we taught. Yet these men, because they sought Jesus with all their hearts, are still being talked about today—even here in Jos! 

What an honor!

HOW CAN YOU RUN WHOLEHEARTEDLY AFTER JESUS TODAY?

Let me give you three practical ways:

1. LIVE A CONFESSIONAL LIFE:

Nothing will steal your joy or slow your walk with Jesus like unconfessed sin. Make it a habit to bare your heart before God each day. 1 John 1:9 reminds us: “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”

2. SERVE THE LORD IN YOUR GIFTING:

God has entrusted each of us with spiritual gifts. Use them for His glory:

• Some of you have the gift of faith—you believe bigger and longer than others.

• Some have the gift of administration—you bring order to chaos.

• Some have the gift of hospitality—you love people in a way that makes them love God.

• Others have the gift of teaching or encouragement.

1 Corinthians 12:7 says: “Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good.”

3. TAKE BOLD, FAITH-FILLED STEPS OUT OF YOUR COMFORT ZONE:

Whether you know it or not, the next great move of God in your life is waiting for you on the edge of your comfort zone. In other words, you will need to take some bold steps of faith to step into something that has not yet materialized in order to see it materialized. It’s not magic or wish-craft. It’s faith. Hebrews 11:8 tells us: “By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to a place that he was to receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going. 

When my family and I packed our bags in New Jersey, loaded our belongings into a shipping container, and boarded a plane for Jos, we had no idea what would happen. It was a bold step of faith outside of our comfort zone. But we knew Jesus was calling us to follow Him wholeheartedly.

And from the day we landed here until now, we have seen God’s provision, protection, and faithfulness magnified in our lives.

WHEN YOU RUN WHOLEHEARTEDLY AFTER JESUS, YOU WILL FIND MORE THAN YOU CAN POSSIBLY HOPE FOR.

So, let me ask you: What step of faith will you take today?

Waiting on the other end may be the very gift you’ve been seeking out your whole life!

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