A Fresh Perspective - 12/28/07
According to Matthew's Gospel, some time after Jesus' birth, "Magi from the East" (possibly Arabia, Babylon or Persia) come to Jerusalem seeking the new born "king of the Jews." Magi and astrologers were widely regarded in the Graeco-Roman world as able to discern the signs of the times and foretell events of world importance, including the rise of kings.
The Magi are not familiar with Israel's scriptures; they do not know the prophecy of the Messiah's birth. They are not Jewish in faith. Being astrologers they recognize the truth in the appearance of a star that points them toward Palestine. Perhaps they sense that "the one who has been born king of the Jews" is destined to be more than the king of the Jews; that he is one whose influence will transcend earthly kingdoms, borders and cultures.
But whatever their religion they are open to truth wherever the truth may be found. They were able to take their heads out of their own sacred writings long enough to gaze up and out and see signs of truth elsewhere. The Magi are "wise men" in the sense that they have the wisdom to recognize that truth is not limited to their own religious system.
They go to Israel for the single purpose of paying homage to the Christ child. They bring treasures of gold, frankincense and myrrh. They have no intention, or need apparently, to import their belief system. They do not pass out any religious tracts.
What if the religions of the world, including our own, took a similar approach and got over the need to convert everyone to our own belief system? What would it mean for Christians to make the long journey across cultural and religious landscapes bearing only gifts of respect for that which is sacred and good in other religious traditions? What if we could meet adherents of other faiths as friends and pilgrims on a journey, rather than as underlings who need to be converted to our superior way of believing?
Would this lead Christians away from the Christ, in whom we trust as Lord and Savior? Hardly. I've discovered that the deeper I go into my own Christian faith and sacred scriptures, and the more I grasp the love of God that has become incarnate in Jesus, the greater my sense of respect for people of other religious traditions who seek truth and the good of humankind.
Unlike Jerry Vines, former president of the Southern Baptist Convention, who described Mohammad as "demon possessed," the closer we get to the compassionate God who loves all people unconditionally, the more we are shaped by values of diversity, acceptance and love for others who seek the truth in their own religious systems.
Chuck Queen is Senior Pastor of Immanuel Baptist Church, Frankfort. You can access his sermons and past articles at www.ibcfrankfort.com. He welcomes your comments at cqueen@fewpb.net