A Striking Example of Faith

The conduct of the wise men is a striking example of faith. They believed in Christ when they had never seen Him — but that was not all. They believed in Him when the Scribes and Pharisees were unbelieving — but that again was not all. They believed in Him when they saw Him a little infant on Mary’s knee, and worshiped Him as a king. This was the crowning point of their faith. They saw no miracles to convince them. They heard no teaching to persuade them. They saw no signs of divinity and greatness to overawe them. They saw nothing but a new-born infant, helpless and weak, and needing a mother’s care like any one of ourselves. And yet when they saw that infant, they believed that they saw the divine Savior of the world. ‘They fell down and worshiped Him.’

We read of no greater faith than this in the whole volume of the Bible. It is a faith that deserves to be placed side by side with that of the penitent thief. The thief saw one dying the death of a criminal, and yet prayed to Him and ‘called Him Lord.’ The wise men saw a new-born babe on the lap of a poor woman, and yet worshiped Him and confessed that He was Christ. Blessed indeed are those that can believe in this fashion!

~ J.C. Ryle

Expository Thoughts on the Gospels: Matthew, [Carlisle, PA: Banner of Truth, 1986], 10.

â–º From the series The Humble Example of the Wise Men

On this day…

• Luke 10 – 2024
• Luke 9 – 2024
• Job 3 – 2023
• Job 2 – 2023
• What Is Theology? – 2015
• Adherents of Xmas are exhausted and overextended but Christmas worshipers are joyful. Are you rushing or feasting? – 2011
• There is a strain of loneliness infecting many Christians, which only the presence of God can cure. – 2011
• Let us endeavor to make the name of God glorious and renowned. – 2011
• why be dismayed when things do not happen as you wish and desire? – 2011
• Every once in a while our Lord gives us a glimpse of what we would be like if it were not for Him. – 2011