THE FOOL’S JOURNEY OF FAITH
In Matthew’s gospel, we read of Magi (Wise Men) from the East coming to Jerusalem in search of the baby Jesus. These men saw astronomical signs that the king of the Jews, had been born. They also recognized that this baby was not just a king, but God Himself and worthy of worship as evidenced by their actions when they saw Him and their offerings of gifts to Him. Imagine these men telling their families and their communities that they were going to a distant place out into the wild West, risking their lives to just meet Him. Though traditionally these men were called Wise Men, it is more likely they were heralded as fools for choosing to do what they did.
While the New Testament does not assign names to these men, ancient texts refer to these men as Melchior, a Persian king, Balthazar, a Babylonian king and Gaspar, a king from India (1). If they were indeed kings, perhaps they had the resources and the support to make that journey. However it is inconceivable that there wouldn’t have been ridicule of some sort when grown men and scholars who were possibly kings make a treacherous journey, risking their lives to worship a baby who was deciphered to be king and God. Why would they do it? Only because, they were convinced that this baby was indeed the perfect God-incarnate.
Coming to that conclusion would have required a lifetime of seeking after the true God, something that is considered moronic in most societies today that are becoming increasingly materialistic in their outlook. What is the need for God when the world provides you with everything you need, often at the press of a button? What is the need for God when in an increasingly interconnected world, no information is lacking? What is the need for God in an increasingly technological world, where no advance is impossible? Yet, despite all of these, when man dives deeper into his soul, he cannot miss the loneliness and despair that is incessant. No matter what man does, he finds himself hollow at the end of the day, missing that critical central piece to the puzzle of life.
And that piece indeed is a relationship with God, his creator. And unless man sets out on a journey to seek God and finds him through faith that comes alive through the salvation experience through Christ, man will continue to be empty on the inside no matter what else adorns his life. And so while foolish it might be in the eyes of the rest of the world for man to embark on a journey of faith to find and worship the Savior, it is the joyous summit of human experience and meaningfulness, when Christ is found and with Him, the salvation that long eluded man.
1. https://www.livehistoryindia.com/story/history-of-india-2000-years/gondophares-indias-biblical-connection/
