The Mindful Follower

" When Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, in the days of King Herod, behold, the Magi from the East arrived in Jerusalem, saying, 'Where is the newborn King of the Jews? We saw His star at its rising, and have come to do Him homage.' When King Herod heard this, he was greatly troubled. . Assembling all the chief priests and the scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. They said to him, 'In Bethlehem of Judea.' .  Then Herod called the Magi secretly and sent them to Bethlehem, [saying], 'that I may too go and do Him homage.'  And behold, the star that the [Magi] had seen at its rising preceded them. They were overjoyed at seeing the star. They saw the child with Mary and His mother. They prostrated themselves and did Him homage . . . and offered Him gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed for their country another way." -[ Matthew 2: 1-12].


This story of the Magi traveling thousands of miles to find the newborn King is one of the most popular passages in Scripture.

We wonder even today who these Magi were? Some scholars say they were Jewish men who remained after the Babylonian Exile. Other scholars say they were astrologers who had special knowledge of ancient manuscripts and prophecies, but who also knew how to navigate by means of constellations.

Whoever they were, arguably the Magi were the first "followers" of Jesus.

The word "Followers" is troubling to us today. We modern people want to believe that we are each incalculably unique. We want to believe that we are "in charge of our own destiny". We don't want History, political forces, or spiritual wisdom to buffet us, to force us to change or to cause us to transform.

But we are misled when we think about that word, "Follower".

When I consider the Magi, I think of the long, arduous trip they made, over thousands of miles. That is not a trip undertaken lightly. That Journey is filled with intent, filled with an eagerness and an expectation of joy. This is not a journey that is blind-eyed, or accidental, or passive.

This journey is an active, strenuous, determined one. This is a journey that seeks the Light, no matter what obstacles are in the way, no matter how long it takes, and no matter what personal strength it requires.

As "Followers of Christ", the Magi are intentionally and mindfully seeking Jesus.
This tells me that here can really be no "Accidental Christians".  Or, if there are accidental Christians, their journey does not last long, as the obstacles pile on. That is why St. Paul says, "I have fought the good fight."

It can be dangerous to be a Christian. The Magi had to know that Herod was an evil and violent ruler, who had no intention of paying homage to Jesus. Herod wanted to know where Jesus was, so he could kill Him. Jesus' being called a new King meant that Herod felt threatened and wanted Jesus gone.

Far from being "Followers" in the modern, passive sense, the Magi thought for themselves. Many, many at the time questioned that Jesus could actually be the Messiah. Even the disciples had times when they did not "recognize" Jesus, or truly understand who He was. A Christian, as "Follower" needs to be able to discern who comes from God -- and who does NOT. Being a "Follower" cannot mean passively accepting whatever one is told. The Magi DID know exactly who Jesus was, and they went to great lengths to find Him.

Being a "Follower" means taking risks. The Magi defied King Herod and did not return to tell him where Jesus was. I often wonder what fate the Magi would have faced, if they had been caught "covering" for Jesus' identity and His whereabouts?

Being a "Follower" means "Keeping one's Eyes on the Prize". The Magi walked thousand of miles towards the star. They could not be dissuaded by the threat of King Herod's violent leadership. (It is said that Herod killed even some of his own family members.) Apparently, the Magi also offered precious gifts to Jesus, befitting royalty. The Magi were not stingy or faltering with their worship. They were unerring towards the Light, and they did not let Fear derail them.

Today in China, the government is baffled by the steadfast bond which their Christian citizens have with God. This bond far outranks any loyalty that Chinese Christians have, as citizens to their government. Chinese officials say that they cannot wield any consequences against the Christians, that will cause them to waver in their Faith. Nothing touches them, the government officials complain. We close their church, they open another one. We fine them or surveil them, it does not matter.

The Magi risked it all, to seek and find Jesus -- Herod's wrath and violence, a long uncertain journey, defying their secular king, proffering precious gold and frankincense and myrrh.

As this Christmas Season ends, I have to ask myself - Am I all in?

(Related Postings: " My Magi Journey", 1/6/16; "The Epiphany of the Lord", 1/6/15; "The Worship of the Magi", 1/4/14; "My Epiphany", 1/5/13"The Magi", 1/9/12; "Epiphany", 1/6/11.]

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