The Holy Spirit led the ancient Magi on a journey far from home to find that for which their hearts longed. He will also lead us on a journey to find all the things for which our heart longs!
Stars are fascinating. The ancient world thought so too!
The ancient world believed a new star in the sky announced the birth of a historically significant person.
According to Roman historians, there was a prevalent belief that a king would arise out of Judea to rule the world.
So, when the Magi noticed the brilliant star in the sky, they were curious enough to leave the comfort of home (for possibly two years) to seek out the truth of this phenomena.
The star in the sky miraculously “led” them all the way from metropolitan Persia (or southern Arabia) to a baby in a lowly manger.
They successfully made a trip to Bethlehem following the Holy Spirit without planes, trains, automobiles, maps, GPS, bottled water, or nut bars.
Their story can tell us a great deal about following God today. Here are 7 ways the Holy Spirit led the ancient Magi:
1. The Magi Knew & Believed the Scriptures
These were men of prominence men trained in astronomy, astrology, and the natural sciences who had both political and religious influence.
The Magi believed strongly enough in the 600-700-year-old prophecies about a coming Messiah to act on their belief AND were open to God’s guidance wherever it might lead.
The magi were curious enough to seek Him out, and they were not too busy to follow the Holy Spirit on a journey.
Today, our lives can be filled with many things that snuff out the desire to seek Jesus. We each have to decide to study the Holy Scriptures and seek Him out.
- From your heart, ask the Holy Spirit to lead you on a journey to know Him more. Then be curious enough to believe and learn more of the Holy Scriptures.
2. The Magi Were Committed to following the Holy Spirit
Many people throughout the world have heard of Jesus. The Magi did not settle for simply “hearing” about the King, they committed to seek Him out and experience Him for themselves.
The journey to find the King of the Jews led them far from home for a long time. The trip challenged their comfort and theology.
A real journey with the Holy Spirit may take you far from the familiar and challenge your comfort and beliefs about God.
- Trust Him with your life and your journey even if it looks different than you thought it would look.
God has a plan for you, just as he had a plan for the Magi.
3. The Magi Put God First
The Magi committed to putting this journey before everything else in their lives, and they sought Him with their whole hearts.
Many people are unaware of their own hearts. Our heart is that deep place inside that gets covered up with business, activity, and hurts.
- Whisper a prayer from your heart to God about your deepest desires, longings, and hurts. Then ask the Holy Spirit to heal you, lead you, and teach you. Decide to put Him first in your life, then all the other things will fall into place (Matt 6:33)!
“You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart. I will be found by you” (Jer 29:13-14).
4. The Magi Took a Journey of Faith
The Magi started out by faith. They did not know all the steps it would take to reach their goal.
If the Magi trusted a God they did not know, we can trust a God we claim to know.
The journey to find more of Him may take you on a journey far from “home.”
You may have to leave familiar ways of thinking, or a job, a hobby, familiar things, friends, or maybe even family.
However, God loves you enough to lead you into more than you can possibly imagine. The Holy Spirit will guide you at every new step of faith.
He will shine His light onto your path and His light will guide you.
If you want to know more about what His voice sounds like, check out my article, A Sure-Fire Way of Hearing God’s Voice: 3 Major Problems Solved.
5. The Magi Encountered Resistance
There will be resistance when you decide to follow the star.
However, nothing could divert the Magi from their purpose to experience the King of Kings and worship Him.
We don’t know many of the details of their physical trip, but just imagine traversing the continent in their time in history.
When they thought they had arrived, they encountered a different kind of resistance with King Herod The Horrible.
In their excitement they blurted out, “Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? We have seen His star and have come to worship Him.”
The Magi’s question to Herod in the original Greek language makes it clear that they asked about the child who was “born” with the legitimate claim to Israel’s throne by virtue of his birth.
Blunder of blunders.
Consider this, according to history there were not only three Magi but a large group of Magi, that danced into town and told the already insecure Herod he was a usurper to the throne.
Of course, Herod became fearful and flew into a rage.
Yet, despite all the Magi’s blunders, setbacks, and obstacles, God guided their perseverance and rewarded them with His presence.
- He rewards those who diligently seek for Him.
6. The Magi Followed the Holy Spirit’s Leading
God is Spirit, and He led them supernaturally, by His Holy Spirit in a variety of ways.
He led them by signs in the sky, by dreams, by the Scriptures, by His voice, by circumstances, and by His stirring in their hearts.
They were open to God’s leading, and He led them into worship and a relationship with Himself. They ended up at the right place at the right time to witness and bless others.
- God will supernaturally lead you too! Just Ask!
7. The Magi Trusted God’s Provision
They trusted God to provide direction and guidance in addition to their daily needs.
So, He provided treasures for their personal needs and treasures to bless other people.
Out of the great abundance that God blessed them with, the Magi honored Him and gave of their time, their talents, and their possessions.
They blessed the Lord with their worship and testimonies afterward.
They did their part to fill the earth with the knowledge of His glory (Habakkuk 2:14).
- Therefore, we can trust in God’s goodness and mercy to provide all the things we need according to His glorious treasures.
- Ask for what you need. Many of us lack because we do not ask.
He loves you far more than you can comprehend, and He wants to lead you to more peace, love, and the joy of His presence.
He wants to lead you by His Holy Spirit into the destiny you were created to live.
His plans for us are always bigger than our plans. Trust His goodness and follow His Spirit.
Thanks for reading, beloved of God.
