The Wise Men & Foolish Politicians

Tradition and culture have had their way with our understanding of the wise men who visited Mary and Joseph at their home in Bethlehem. An enormous amount of literary license has been take with their identity and their role in the Christmas story. In truth, the only legitimate facts we know about these men are the few given by Matthew in the first twelve verses of chapter 2. We are not told their number, their names, how they traveled or from what country they came.

In light that mystery, we often forget that there are others involved in this history as well. Along with the wise men there are politicians who foolishly do not share in their response to the good news. In the telling, the Scripture reveals 3 typical responses to Jesus people have had throughout history.