1 00:00:00,400 --> 00:00:03,159 Speaker 1: Where is he who was born King of the Jews. 2 00:00:03,840 --> 00:00:06,560 Speaker 1: For we saw his star when it rose and have 3 00:00:06,640 --> 00:00:12,360 Speaker 1: come to worship him. Matthew too too. Dear Lord Jesus, 4 00:00:13,520 --> 00:00:16,959 Speaker 1: lead us, like the wise men, to seek you with 5 00:00:17,200 --> 00:00:22,400 Speaker 1: eager hearts. May we be drawn to your light, following 6 00:00:22,440 --> 00:00:26,000 Speaker 1: the guidance of your spirit, and be filled with a 7 00:00:26,120 --> 00:00:31,760 Speaker 1: longing to worship you in spirit and in truth in 8 00:00:31,880 --> 00:00:36,080 Speaker 1: this season, and always help us to focus our hearts 9 00:00:36,240 --> 00:00:40,080 Speaker 1: on you, the King of Kings, the one who came 10 00:00:40,120 --> 00:00:46,360 Speaker 1: to bring salvation, love, and eternal life. May we approach 11 00:00:46,440 --> 00:00:52,720 Speaker 1: you with reverence, humility, and joy, recognizing the immense gift 12 00:00:52,800 --> 00:00:56,880 Speaker 1: of your presence in our lives. Thank you for the 13 00:00:56,960 --> 00:01:00,520 Speaker 1: example of the wise men who teach us to seek, 14 00:01:01,280 --> 00:01:07,080 Speaker 1: to follow, and to adore you with unwavering devotion. In 15 00:01:07,120 --> 00:01:11,280 Speaker 1: the precious name of Jesus the Bright and Morning Star, 16 00:01:11,640 --> 00:01:13,400 Speaker 1: we pray Amen. 17 00:01:21,160 --> 00:01:25,039 Speaker 2: After dedicating Jesus in the temple, Mary and Joseph departed 18 00:01:25,080 --> 00:01:28,200 Speaker 2: back to Bethlehem. They remained there in a small home 19 00:01:28,280 --> 00:01:31,360 Speaker 2: near the very inn that showed the mercy. It was 20 00:01:31,400 --> 00:01:34,640 Speaker 2: a sanctuary where they could nurture their child and build 21 00:01:34,640 --> 00:01:38,440 Speaker 2: a place of love, tenderness, and honor. Towards the Lord. 22 00:01:39,280 --> 00:01:43,840 Speaker 2: Joseph worked in town, thriving despite his family's rejection. They 23 00:01:43,880 --> 00:01:48,240 Speaker 2: remained there while Mary recovered, awaiting God's next prompting. In 24 00:01:48,320 --> 00:01:51,720 Speaker 2: the quiet bliss of Bethlehem, with its green, rolling hills 25 00:01:51,760 --> 00:01:56,320 Speaker 2: and lush open fields, they found solace and strength, their 26 00:01:56,360 --> 00:01:58,640 Speaker 2: hearts filled with the knowledge that they were a part 27 00:01:58,720 --> 00:02:03,040 Speaker 2: of something greater than themselves. They were the guardians of 28 00:02:03,080 --> 00:02:06,120 Speaker 2: a promise, the bearers of a hope that would ignite 29 00:02:06,160 --> 00:02:09,320 Speaker 2: the world, And in the soft cooing of their baby, 30 00:02:09,680 --> 00:02:13,280 Speaker 2: they saw the reflection of eternity. As night draped over 31 00:02:13,320 --> 00:02:16,400 Speaker 2: the horizon, Joseph and Mary cradled the babe in their 32 00:02:16,520 --> 00:02:19,880 Speaker 2: arms as they looked out at the stars. A peculiar 33 00:02:20,000 --> 00:02:23,799 Speaker 2: star fixed above them like a guardian angel. Its light 34 00:02:23,919 --> 00:02:27,320 Speaker 2: was radiating brighter than the others, posing with light like 35 00:02:27,360 --> 00:02:30,840 Speaker 2: a beating heart. Little did they know this star was 36 00:02:30,880 --> 00:02:33,840 Speaker 2: a signal beckoning a group of noblemen from the East. 37 00:02:34,520 --> 00:02:38,600 Speaker 2: They were masters of astronomy and prophecy. Some called them alchemists, 38 00:02:38,919 --> 00:02:43,760 Speaker 2: others called them kings. Legends would herald them as magi. 39 00:02:44,840 --> 00:02:47,560 Speaker 3: Hello, I'm Jack Graham with today's episode of The Bible 40 00:02:47,560 --> 00:02:50,639 Speaker 3: in a Year podcast but before we began, I want 41 00:02:50,680 --> 00:02:54,079 Speaker 3: to let you know about a unique ebook that's yours 42 00:02:54,120 --> 00:02:59,160 Speaker 3: to download absolutely free today. It's called Breaking Free from Stress. 43 00:02:59,760 --> 00:03:02,200 Speaker 3: My prayer is that it will help you conquer the 44 00:03:02,280 --> 00:03:05,560 Speaker 3: daily task and pressures and burdens that bring stress in 45 00:03:05,639 --> 00:03:09,440 Speaker 3: your life. Download your free copy of Breaking Free from 46 00:03:09,440 --> 00:03:14,080 Speaker 3: Stress today by visiting Jack Graham dot org slash stress. 47 00:03:14,680 --> 00:03:19,560 Speaker 3: That's Jack Graham dot org slash stress. This episode introduces 48 00:03:19,680 --> 00:03:23,520 Speaker 3: us to the Magi. Many movies and dramatizations have been 49 00:03:23,520 --> 00:03:27,840 Speaker 3: made around these mysterious biblical figures. Who were they and 50 00:03:27,880 --> 00:03:30,840 Speaker 3: how did they come to discover Jesus? While none of 51 00:03:30,880 --> 00:03:34,760 Speaker 3: us can be certain, many historical and biblical arrows point 52 00:03:34,880 --> 00:03:39,840 Speaker 3: us in the right direction. The term magi magoi in 53 00:03:39,920 --> 00:03:43,560 Speaker 3: ancient Greek has been the source of misconceptions and myths. 54 00:03:44,480 --> 00:03:49,160 Speaker 3: These travelers were not kings, but wise men astronomers, possibly 55 00:03:49,200 --> 00:03:52,400 Speaker 3: part of a larger company and arriving likely months or 56 00:03:52,480 --> 00:03:56,200 Speaker 3: even years after Jesus' birth. In ancient times, the term 57 00:03:56,320 --> 00:04:02,640 Speaker 3: encompassed a wide range of individuals interested in dreams, astrology, alchemy, magic, 58 00:04:03,040 --> 00:04:07,880 Speaker 3: and prophecies. The Magi's connection with astronomy and their pursuit 59 00:04:07,920 --> 00:04:12,320 Speaker 3: of knowledge transcending earthly wisdom uniquely positions them in the 60 00:04:12,360 --> 00:04:16,719 Speaker 3: Biblical narrative. Being from the East, the Magi may have 61 00:04:16,760 --> 00:04:20,640 Speaker 3: been among Jews exiled centuries earlier, or at least influenced 62 00:04:20,640 --> 00:04:25,000 Speaker 3: by them. Their understanding of the Messiah's promise indicates an 63 00:04:25,000 --> 00:04:29,480 Speaker 3: alignment with Jewish traditions and prophecies. Some have surmised that 64 00:04:29,560 --> 00:04:31,960 Speaker 3: these wise men were part of a similar order to 65 00:04:32,080 --> 00:04:36,680 Speaker 3: Daniel when he was captive in Babylon. The blend of 66 00:04:36,760 --> 00:04:41,159 Speaker 3: worldly wisdom and spiritual expectation made them perfect seekers for 67 00:04:41,160 --> 00:04:45,880 Speaker 3: the Christ Child. Historical accounts tell us that the expectation 68 00:04:46,120 --> 00:04:50,160 Speaker 3: of a Messiah or great ruler from Judaea was widespread 69 00:04:50,279 --> 00:04:55,159 Speaker 3: during this time. Roman historians Suetonius and Tacitus noted the 70 00:04:55,200 --> 00:04:58,600 Speaker 3: prevailing belief that rulers from Judea were destined to rise 71 00:04:58,720 --> 00:05:02,400 Speaker 3: up against Rome. This expectation set the stage for the 72 00:05:02,400 --> 00:05:07,240 Speaker 3: Magi's journey. Though the Magi were most likely not kings, 73 00:05:07,560 --> 00:05:10,119 Speaker 3: the tradition that portrays them as such can be traced 74 00:05:10,200 --> 00:05:14,480 Speaker 3: back to early Christian thinkers like Tertullian, influenced by Old 75 00:05:14,520 --> 00:05:18,080 Speaker 3: Testament passages, predicting that kings would worship the Messiah. The 76 00:05:18,120 --> 00:05:24,039 Speaker 3: myth evolved, even assigning them names Melchior, Caspar, and Balthazar. 77 00:05:25,080 --> 00:05:28,880 Speaker 3: Today's episode will follow that tradition, focusing on three wise 78 00:05:28,960 --> 00:05:33,760 Speaker 3: men instead of dozens. Today's story highlights the star hovering 79 00:05:33,800 --> 00:05:37,880 Speaker 3: above Bethlehem, the star the wise men followed defind Jesus. 80 00:05:38,880 --> 00:05:43,120 Speaker 3: Many theories about the star's nature exist, ranging from planetary 81 00:05:43,160 --> 00:05:48,120 Speaker 3: conjunctions to supernovas or comets. Regardless of its origin, the 82 00:05:48,120 --> 00:05:52,800 Speaker 3: star was a divine guide, meeting the astronomers and their medium. 83 00:05:53,279 --> 00:05:56,040 Speaker 3: God has a beautiful way of meeting people where they are. 84 00:05:57,040 --> 00:06:00,640 Speaker 3: Some even believe this star fulfilled an obscure prophecy in Numbers, 85 00:06:00,720 --> 00:06:05,080 Speaker 3: chapter twenty four, verse seventeen, A star shall come out 86 00:06:05,080 --> 00:06:10,440 Speaker 3: of Jacob. Regardless, the star was Christ's star, a moving 87 00:06:10,560 --> 00:06:14,360 Speaker 3: sign pointing others to him. Let's follow that star together. 88 00:06:15,160 --> 00:06:18,480 Speaker 3: Afterward we'll unpack deep truths from the story. 89 00:06:20,080 --> 00:06:23,799 Speaker 2: Past. The vast deserts of the far East, tucked between 90 00:06:23,880 --> 00:06:30,880 Speaker 2: ancient kingdoms and new empires, was a place untouched by time. There, 91 00:06:31,080 --> 00:06:34,400 Speaker 2: in a palace hewn from Ivory and Cedar, lived three 92 00:06:34,640 --> 00:06:39,640 Speaker 2: noble scholars known as the Magi. They were rulers over 93 00:06:39,680 --> 00:06:44,000 Speaker 2: a secret order, descendants of the exiled Jews who remained 94 00:06:44,040 --> 00:06:50,520 Speaker 2: in the Babylonian Empire. Their names were Caspar, Melchior, and Balshazzar. 95 00:06:51,240 --> 00:06:55,599 Speaker 2: Caspar the eldest was an ancient astronomer whose wisdom was 96 00:06:55,680 --> 00:07:00,359 Speaker 2: sought by kings and queens whethered by age. His eyes 97 00:07:00,440 --> 00:07:04,359 Speaker 2: held a spark that transcended his years. Melchior was a 98 00:07:04,360 --> 00:07:08,880 Speaker 2: philosopher and a mathematician. His mind, sharp and unerring, was 99 00:07:08,960 --> 00:07:13,960 Speaker 2: always searching for the elusive truth behind all things. Bauschazzar 100 00:07:14,160 --> 00:07:17,960 Speaker 2: was an alchemist, a master of transformation, and a keeper 101 00:07:18,000 --> 00:07:21,000 Speaker 2: of secrets that danced at the edge of the mystical. 102 00:07:21,560 --> 00:07:25,680 Speaker 2: Together they were masters of the stars, scholars knowledgeable of 103 00:07:25,840 --> 00:07:31,000 Speaker 2: ancient prophecies, and men of science and intrigue. Their days 104 00:07:31,040 --> 00:07:36,200 Speaker 2: were filled with steadying the skies, unraveling mysteries, and pursuing 105 00:07:36,280 --> 00:07:38,680 Speaker 2: knowledge that had slipped through the fingers of time. 106 00:07:39,720 --> 00:07:41,400 Speaker 4: The order of the Magi. 107 00:07:41,320 --> 00:07:46,160 Speaker 2: Was mysterious, wealthy, and independent of any ruling nation or 108 00:07:46,280 --> 00:07:50,800 Speaker 2: cultural creed. They were diverse, and their only loyalty was 109 00:07:50,840 --> 00:07:56,160 Speaker 2: to the relentless pursuit of wisdom, truth, and knowledge. Knights 110 00:07:56,200 --> 00:07:59,080 Speaker 2: were often a time of reflection and debate for the 111 00:07:59,120 --> 00:08:02,880 Speaker 2: three wise men in the heart of their observatory. Surrounded 112 00:08:02,920 --> 00:08:07,520 Speaker 2: by scrolls, maps, and ancient texts, they would gather around 113 00:08:07,560 --> 00:08:12,360 Speaker 2: a flickering fire to discuss life's most profound quandaries. Together, 114 00:08:12,840 --> 00:08:15,480 Speaker 2: they cut the silence of the night with their rigorous 115 00:08:15,480 --> 00:08:20,400 Speaker 2: debate and inspired rhetoric. On one such night, as the 116 00:08:20,480 --> 00:08:25,200 Speaker 2: magi debated the nature of existence and destiny, the universe 117 00:08:25,400 --> 00:08:32,000 Speaker 2: unveiled its most profound secret. Melchier's voice, musical and resonant, 118 00:08:32,520 --> 00:08:37,160 Speaker 2: filled the room. What is fate if not the tapestry 119 00:08:37,200 --> 00:08:41,040 Speaker 2: wealven by our choices? Are we not the authors of fate? 120 00:08:41,640 --> 00:08:45,679 Speaker 2: Does not every decision we make add another thread to 121 00:08:45,760 --> 00:08:46,559 Speaker 2: our destiny? 122 00:08:47,880 --> 00:08:48,160 Speaker 4: Fate? 123 00:08:48,640 --> 00:08:49,600 Speaker 2: Casper mused. 124 00:08:50,400 --> 00:08:54,359 Speaker 4: Fate is the path we walk, guided by the stars. 125 00:08:55,160 --> 00:08:59,720 Speaker 4: It is a predestined path that we choose to walk in. 126 00:09:00,600 --> 00:09:04,400 Speaker 4: Fate is like a mighty current that polls us. We 127 00:09:04,480 --> 00:09:08,079 Speaker 4: can swim against it or allow its pole to lead 128 00:09:08,160 --> 00:09:10,119 Speaker 4: us towards our destiny. 129 00:09:10,679 --> 00:09:13,400 Speaker 2: Balshazzar's eyes twinkled, You. 130 00:09:13,600 --> 00:09:16,280 Speaker 5: Say, Fate is a path that set for us by 131 00:09:16,320 --> 00:09:21,520 Speaker 5: the stars themselves. And yet the stars themselves are guided 132 00:09:21,559 --> 00:09:26,320 Speaker 5: by something greater. Is there not something or some one 133 00:09:26,880 --> 00:09:30,680 Speaker 5: greater than the stars. Perhaps it is God, their maka, 134 00:09:31,240 --> 00:09:33,400 Speaker 5: and therefore the utter of fate. 135 00:09:34,240 --> 00:09:38,720 Speaker 2: Their eyes turned skyward, where the stars held caught each 136 00:09:38,960 --> 00:09:44,080 Speaker 2: a story in the Grand Saga of existence. Their philosophical 137 00:09:44,120 --> 00:09:48,680 Speaker 2: meandering was a nightly occurrence. Together, they searched the stars 138 00:09:48,679 --> 00:09:53,280 Speaker 2: and scrolls, unraveling the secrets of the universe. Their gaze 139 00:09:53,360 --> 00:09:56,959 Speaker 2: was always upward, not just at the stars, but at 140 00:09:56,960 --> 00:10:00,600 Speaker 2: the one who created them. Although they were world men 141 00:10:00,760 --> 00:10:05,680 Speaker 2: indoctrinated by ancient mysticism and alchemy, they had always maintained 142 00:10:05,720 --> 00:10:09,920 Speaker 2: ties to their lineage, the Hebrew Exiles taken from Babylon. 143 00:10:10,520 --> 00:10:13,560 Speaker 2: In fact, the three men were believed to be direct 144 00:10:13,640 --> 00:10:18,560 Speaker 2: descendants of Daniel himself. The three scholars gazed at the stars, 145 00:10:19,000 --> 00:10:23,560 Speaker 2: recording anomalies and mapping constellations. It was then that it 146 00:10:23,640 --> 00:10:28,760 Speaker 2: appeared a mysterious star hovered in the distance. Its light 147 00:10:28,920 --> 00:10:32,679 Speaker 2: was vibrant with a silvery blue hue. It was unlike 148 00:10:32,760 --> 00:10:35,960 Speaker 2: anything they had seen before. The room fell into a 149 00:10:36,040 --> 00:10:39,000 Speaker 2: hushed silence. The fires crackled. 150 00:10:38,559 --> 00:10:39,920 Speaker 4: Now at distant murmur. 151 00:10:40,400 --> 00:10:44,199 Speaker 2: Do you see it, Kaspar whispered, his voice tinged with awe. 152 00:10:44,640 --> 00:10:48,960 Speaker 2: Buchazzar nodded his eyes wide. Yes, it seems to be 153 00:10:49,040 --> 00:10:52,960 Speaker 2: fixed in one's space. How strange it is hovering over 154 00:10:53,000 --> 00:10:56,520 Speaker 2: the region of Judea. Balchazzar's heart pounded. 155 00:10:56,880 --> 00:10:57,440 Speaker 5: Could it be? 156 00:10:57,840 --> 00:11:00,760 Speaker 2: His hands shook as he ran down the coiled staircase 157 00:11:00,800 --> 00:11:03,560 Speaker 2: to the library. The library was vast and filled with 158 00:11:03,720 --> 00:11:07,160 Speaker 2: members of the order. His students were awake, steadying at 159 00:11:07,160 --> 00:11:08,320 Speaker 2: their respective desks. 160 00:11:08,520 --> 00:11:10,440 Speaker 4: Bring me the Law of Moses. 161 00:11:10,120 --> 00:11:14,160 Speaker 2: Balshazzar commanded, Bring me the scroll. A student handed him 162 00:11:14,160 --> 00:11:17,000 Speaker 2: the Scroll of Moses, and he darted back up the stairs. 163 00:11:17,280 --> 00:11:20,880 Speaker 2: Here we are, Balshazzar said, with labored breath, spreading the 164 00:11:20,920 --> 00:11:24,520 Speaker 2: scroll on the table. Look He traced his fingers to 165 00:11:24,559 --> 00:11:27,800 Speaker 2: the book of numbers, where an obscure passage came to light. 166 00:11:28,200 --> 00:11:32,199 Speaker 2: A star shall come out of Jacob, A scepter shall 167 00:11:32,280 --> 00:11:36,600 Speaker 2: rise out of Israel, Melchio read aloud. Many believed that 168 00:11:36,640 --> 00:11:39,320 Speaker 2: the coming of the Messiah would be heralded by a 169 00:11:39,360 --> 00:11:42,960 Speaker 2: star over Israel. The three of them looked towards the horizon. 170 00:11:43,440 --> 00:11:47,600 Speaker 2: A profound understanding settled over them. They were being called 171 00:11:47,640 --> 00:11:50,960 Speaker 2: upon to bear witness to something greater than themselves. We 172 00:11:51,080 --> 00:11:54,079 Speaker 2: must go, Melchio said, with glee. The King of the 173 00:11:54,200 --> 00:11:55,080 Speaker 2: Jews has come. 174 00:11:55,880 --> 00:11:59,720 Speaker 4: What did I tell you? Kaspar exclaimed, perhaps fate can 175 00:11:59,720 --> 00:12:01,440 Speaker 4: be found in the stars. 176 00:12:01,480 --> 00:12:05,840 Speaker 2: After all, the room fell into a deep and contemplative silence, 177 00:12:06,200 --> 00:12:09,480 Speaker 2: each man lost in his thoughts, feeling the weight of 178 00:12:09,559 --> 00:12:13,720 Speaker 2: destiny upon them. The following days were a flurry of activity. 179 00:12:14,080 --> 00:12:18,680 Speaker 2: They informed their students, servants, and fellow magi, all equally 180 00:12:18,760 --> 00:12:22,280 Speaker 2: captivated by the significance of the star. The assembly of 181 00:12:22,280 --> 00:12:26,840 Speaker 2: the caravan was a task that required meticulous planning and preparation. 182 00:12:27,559 --> 00:12:31,679 Speaker 2: Treasures were gathered, gifts fit for a king, packed with 183 00:12:31,800 --> 00:12:36,559 Speaker 2: great care and purpose, gold stored in chests of Cyprus 184 00:12:36,600 --> 00:12:40,719 Speaker 2: and bronze, frankencense held in jars of glass blown by 185 00:12:40,720 --> 00:12:45,800 Speaker 2: Egyptian craftsmen, and myrrh held in linen bags. Camels were 186 00:12:45,880 --> 00:12:50,559 Speaker 2: laden with supplies, Tents were rolled, and scrolls were carefully stowed. 187 00:12:51,080 --> 00:12:55,360 Speaker 2: The scholars, servants, and students worked in unison, their actions 188 00:12:55,400 --> 00:12:58,400 Speaker 2: guided by a sense of higher purpose. As the day 189 00:12:58,440 --> 00:13:03,160 Speaker 2: of departure arrived, the three magi stood overlooking their assembled caravan, 190 00:13:03,520 --> 00:13:05,920 Speaker 2: a procession that stretched and wound. 191 00:13:05,640 --> 00:13:06,920 Speaker 1: Like a river through the desert. 192 00:13:07,280 --> 00:13:08,400 Speaker 2: Kaspar's voice was. 193 00:13:08,400 --> 00:13:12,200 Speaker 4: Thick with emotion. We don't even know what we're looking for. 194 00:13:12,559 --> 00:13:17,680 Speaker 2: Milchia nodded, yes, we are leaving with many questions. My 195 00:13:17,880 --> 00:13:22,200 Speaker 2: aim is to return with answers. Balshazzar looked to the west, 196 00:13:22,320 --> 00:13:23,560 Speaker 2: where the star beckoned. 197 00:13:23,880 --> 00:13:27,760 Speaker 4: The road will belong, my brothers. We will have plenty 198 00:13:27,800 --> 00:13:29,520 Speaker 4: of time to ask questions. 199 00:13:29,920 --> 00:13:32,559 Speaker 2: With a final look at their home, they mounted their 200 00:13:32,600 --> 00:13:36,280 Speaker 2: camels and signaled the caravan to move. As they ventured 201 00:13:36,320 --> 00:13:40,400 Speaker 2: into the desert, the star their constant guide. They knew 202 00:13:40,440 --> 00:13:43,439 Speaker 2: that their journey was about more than miles and landscapes. 203 00:13:43,920 --> 00:13:47,000 Speaker 2: They were traveling into the heart of a mystery, guided 204 00:13:47,040 --> 00:13:49,640 Speaker 2: by faith and bound by destiny. 205 00:13:50,679 --> 00:13:55,280 Speaker 3: The Magi's journey is a profound metaphor for our spiritual journeys. 206 00:13:58,400 --> 00:14:01,800 Speaker 3: They were seekers, guided by the world's wisdom, but attuned 207 00:14:01,880 --> 00:14:06,160 Speaker 3: to the whispers of the divine. Wisdom without faith can 208 00:14:06,240 --> 00:14:09,800 Speaker 3: be empty, and faith without wisdom can be blind. The 209 00:14:09,840 --> 00:14:13,080 Speaker 3: Magi's wisdom led them to the Star, but their faith 210 00:14:13,360 --> 00:14:17,280 Speaker 3: guided them to the Messiah. Like them, we are called 211 00:14:17,320 --> 00:14:20,400 Speaker 3: to blend our knowledge and understanding with a deep faith 212 00:14:20,480 --> 00:14:24,600 Speaker 3: in God. God has this wonderful way of using what's 213 00:14:24,640 --> 00:14:28,200 Speaker 3: around us to draw us to himself. For Mary, it 214 00:14:28,280 --> 00:14:31,800 Speaker 3: was a visitation from Gabriel. For Joseph, it was a dream. 215 00:14:32,800 --> 00:14:37,040 Speaker 3: For the shepherds, it was an angelic choir. For these magi, 216 00:14:37,200 --> 00:14:44,280 Speaker 3: it was an anomaly in the constellations. God is not 217 00:14:44,400 --> 00:14:48,160 Speaker 3: confined to one method of divine intervention. Romans, Chapter one, 218 00:14:48,280 --> 00:14:51,920 Speaker 3: verse twenty tells us that God's divine nature is revealed 219 00:14:52,080 --> 00:14:57,240 Speaker 3: through creation. Although outside the Jewish bubble of Israel, these 220 00:14:57,280 --> 00:15:00,440 Speaker 3: magi were met by God and responded to his prompting. 221 00:15:01,120 --> 00:15:05,000 Speaker 3: The Magi's response was immediate and decisive. When they discovered 222 00:15:05,000 --> 00:15:08,920 Speaker 3: the star, they embarked on a difficult journey, guided by 223 00:15:08,960 --> 00:15:13,840 Speaker 3: a star, not fully comprehending what awaited them. This teaches 224 00:15:13,920 --> 00:15:17,000 Speaker 3: us the value of obedience and trust in God's calling, 225 00:15:17,640 --> 00:15:21,640 Speaker 3: even when the path is uncertain. May the star that 226 00:15:21,720 --> 00:15:24,840 Speaker 3: guided the Magi also light our way, leading us to 227 00:15:24,880 --> 00:15:28,440 Speaker 3: the One who was Wisdom incarnate, the Word made flesh 228 00:15:28,480 --> 00:15:34,760 Speaker 3: and Love personified. May we with them proclaim we have 229 00:15:34,880 --> 00:15:37,200 Speaker 3: seen this star in the east and have come to 230 00:15:37,240 --> 00:15:40,840 Speaker 3: worship You. Join us for our next episode, as the 231 00:15:40,880 --> 00:15:44,520 Speaker 3: Magi arrive in Judea to meet King Herod, the tetrarch 232 00:15:44,560 --> 00:15:48,520 Speaker 3: and ruler of the region. Unbeknownst to these Magi, their 233 00:15:48,600 --> 00:15:50,720 Speaker 3: arrival will be the first event in a chain of 234 00:15:50,920 --> 00:15:56,400 Speaker 3: unfortunate and evil acts. Thank you for listening to today's 235 00:15:56,440 --> 00:15:59,640 Speaker 3: Bible in a Year podcast. Before we go, I want 236 00:15:59,640 --> 00:16:02,520 Speaker 3: to let you know about a unique ebook that's yours 237 00:16:02,560 --> 00:16:07,760 Speaker 3: to download absolutely free today. It's called Breaking Free from Stress, 238 00:16:08,240 --> 00:16:10,600 Speaker 3: and my prayer is that it will help you conquer 239 00:16:10,640 --> 00:16:13,840 Speaker 3: the daily task and pressures and burdens that bring stress 240 00:16:13,920 --> 00:16:17,720 Speaker 3: into your life. Download your free copy of Breaking Free 241 00:16:17,760 --> 00:16:22,480 Speaker 3: from Stress today by visiting jaggraham dot org slash stress. 242 00:16:23,000 --> 00:16:26,560 Speaker 3: That's jagraham dot org slash stress.