EPIPHANY: 3 Things Not to Miss in the Story of the Epiphany

Today we celebrate Epiphany, one of the oldest Christian feast days,¹ which remembers the magi’s journey as they followed the star of Bethlehem in search of the foretold King of kings. It’s also known as the “Twelfth Day” because it occurs 12 days after Christmas.

Epiphany means “appearance” or “manifestation,” aptly describing what the magi would find once the star “stopped over the place where the child was” (Matt 2:9 NIV).

In this excerpt, adapted from A Light Has Dawned, Kent R. Hughes contemplates the magi’s story—and what we can learn from them.

Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, magi from the East arrived in Jerusalem, saying, “Where is he who has been born King of the Jews? For we saw his star in the East, and have come to worship him.” (Matt 2:1–2 NASB)

Whether riding camels or not, [the magi] must have been an impressive sight—for they were wealthy, noble Persians, bearing not only their great gifts but the dust of a thousand miles. But what really electrified everyone was that these gentiles were looking for a newborn Jewish king! They dramatize for our imaginations and hearts what was always implicit in biblical history—the Christ was for gentiles, too.

What an example, then, the magi set in seeking Christ. Traveling in ancient times was miserable. The exposure and the danger from criminals shortened many lives. But these men came because they believed. No obstacle was too great.

Evidently, the Magi’s arrival in Jerusalem was a public event. Matthew describes what happened: “And when Herod the king heard it, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him.”

Then Herod secretly called the magi, and ascertained from them the time the star appeared. And he sent them to Bethlehem, and said, “Go and make careful search for the Child; and when you have found him, report to me, that I too may come and worship him.” (Matt 2:7–8 NASB)

Nothing could be lower than Herod’s pious pretense masking his murderous intent. No doubt he would have killed them all—the child, the parents, and the unsuspecting magi—if they had followed through as they planned with his orders.

And when they came into the house and saw the child with Mary his mother; and they fell down and worshiped him; and opening their treasures they presented to him gifts of gold and frankincense and myrrh. (Matt 2:11 NASB)

There are three things we must not overlook in this climactic verse:

1. The Magi ‘fell down’

2. The Magi ‘worshiped’ Jesus

3. The Magi gave the best they had