Diligent Seekers

“Do you have the charts?” the man asked his coworker.

“Yes, yes… everything is ready to go”, he confirmed. “Are the sacks with the gifts loaded?”

“I believe so, but let me go double check.”

As he left to take inventory of all the packed goods one more time, the newest member of their group stepped around the corner.

“I cannot believe this has happened in our lifetime! I never dreamed I would live to see the prophesies fulfilled. I will not be able to sleep tonight, for such excitement.”

“Best to calm your mind down and save your energy. We have a very long journey before us, so get some rest and be prepared to leave just before dawn’s light.”

The young astrologer went back to his tent and laid down on the makeshift cot. How on Earth, was he supposed to sleep at a time like this? He had studied the Torah and ancient prophets for as long as he could remember, dreaming in his younger years what it would be like to see the stories of the ancient texts come to pass. Now, he was not only seeing the text fulfilled, he was actually getting to travel with these men whom were some of the wisest he had ever encountered, to witness the prophesy with his own eyes.

They had taken him under their wings, and after showing himself to be of great value in their research, allowed him to join their committee. It was the blessing of a lifetime, one he did not take lightly. They had poured over the scrolls for months on end, scouring every dot and tittle, for nothing was unimportant or insignificant.

Restless, with a mind that would not stop churring, he stepped out under the night sky. His eyes immediately went to the star which emanated with extraordinary brilliance. “That light, makes every hour spent searching the texts, and all the hard work worth it. I don’t know what it all means, but I know something has forever changed our world.” he thought.

After months of travel, they finally arrived at Jerusalem, and requested an audience with King Herod.

“Greetings! What brings such a wise counsel into my humble halls?” Herod exclaimed, while looking at each of the men, trying to decipher the meaning of their coming.

“Where is He Who has been born King of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the east at its rising and have come to worship Him.”

Herod’s face immediately flushed and his heart began to pound in his chest. A king? Born to overthrow and take his crown? He could feel his temper rising by the second.

Collecting himself quickly, he spoke, “Gentlemen, it has been such a long weary journey for you all. Please, find some rest here for a moment, relax and eat my finest foods and wine. We will discuss this matter in further detail shortly.”

The men gladly followed the king’s servants to the dining hall and indulged in all manner of delicacies. It was wonderful to be able to eat a variety of foods, instead of the same old provisions they had survived on for the last several months.

After they had eaten their fill, the men stretched out on the back veranda and enjoyed the sun. After some time had passed, the king’s servant summoned the men to the throne room.

“Sorry to keep you waiting gentlemen. I wanted to converse with my team of scholars and priests, so I could be assured we are all in one accord with the details. This, of course, being the most extraordinary event of our lifetime and not something to take lightly. Tell me, when did you first see the sign of this king appear?”

The elder of the group spoke, “We cannot be totally for certain, but it would have been almost a year ago at this point, give or take some months. It may have been even a little longer than that, for we were busy with other projects and did not witness the star rising. It was actually our young apprentice who noticed the change in the sky first and brought it to our attention. Very exciting times indeed.”

Herod stared at the men and took several seconds before he spoke. “Very good. This is about the same time our scholars were made aware of its appearing as well.” the king lied. “The One we have been waiting for, has finally arrived. Please, go to Bethlehem and search for the child. After you have found him, come back to my courts and inform me of his location, so I might also go and worship the new King.”

Herod watched the men exit his palace, and rage began to fill his heart. He summoned his scholars. “How is it, you knew exactly where this supposed “king” was to be born because of the ancient texts, but you did not pay attention to the sign of his coming? What do I pay you for? Are you completely incompetent?”

“Your majesty, we have studied the texts, but did not think it necessary to look for the actual coming of a king. There is no other king but Herod.”

Herod smiled and agreed with his men, but the news from the magi troubled him. There would be no one who would usurp him from his position, he would make sure of that.

The young scholar’s heart was ponding so loudly in his ears, he could barely hear the conversation between his elder astrologers and the child’s parents. He could not take his eyes off the tiny boy, whom sat on Mary’s lap.

They had followed the star to a small residence on the outskirts of Bethlehem. The words of the prophet Micah, now flooded his thoughts.

“But you, Bethlehem Ephratah, you are little to be among the clans of Judah, yet out of you shall One come forth for Me, Who is to be Ruler in Israel. Whose going forth have been from of old, from ancient days.”

Both men turned and looked in his direction and nodded their heads. The young man ran outside and gathered the bags bearing the gifts and ran back into the house. They knelt down humbly before the young child and gave the very finest of what they had. Gold, Frankincense and Myrrh. A welcome fit for a king. This moment was something the apprentice knew he would never forget for the rest of his days.

Upon the rising of the dawn, as the men prepared for their long journey back to their homeland, each seemed hesitant and thoughtful. Finally the eldest of the committee spoke.

“I had the most vivid dream last evening warning us to travel home straight away and not return to Kind Herod.”

The others eyes grew wide with amazement. “I too had a similar dream and warning!” the other elder exclaimed.

“Yes, myself as well! What a tremendous occurrence. I believe Yahweh is speaking to us.” the young scholar proclaimed.

“Come, let us take the western road around the mountain ridge, in case Herod sends troops to search for us once he finds out we are not returning to the palace. He will not think to look for us in that direction.”

With the homeward journey before him, the young man marveled at all he had seen and experienced. His career was just blossoming, and he had already learned more than he ever imagined. He was eager to get back to the ancient scrolls and study even more diligently to find their meaning. Who knows what wonders awaited him within those parchment pages.

Are you seeking and searching through the scriptures to better understand your Lord and Savior? Do you dig into the Word so you can learn all you can about the One who came to seek and save the lost? More importantly, do you put your faith into action based on what you read with the pages of your Bible?

Don’t be like the learned men of Jerusalem, who knew the prophesies about the coming King, but had no interest in searching the signs to find Him. Seek out the mysteries and precepts of the Father, and head out on your own adventure to see His will be done in your life.