NEW YEAR, SAME KEIERICA
December 27, 2018
Paul Duet
December 27, 2018
Each Christmas we tell the story of the wise men from the East who made their way to Bethlehem to worship the newborn King and laid their treasures at his feet Henry Van Dyke tells us about another wise man who also followed the star He life long journey brought Him to Bethlehem and beyond. He finally found the king in a different way. His name was Artaban.
Artaban lived in Persia and was a man of great wealth, great learning and great faith. He had searched the scriptures to find the time when the Savior should be born. Artaban and his companions knew a new star would appear
and they agreed that he would watch from Persia, and the others would observe the sky from Babylon.
Artaban told his friends at his home. “My three champions are watching at the ancient temple in Babylon and I am watching here. If the star appears, they will wait tan days for me Then we will all set cut together for Jerusalem. I believe the sign will come tonight I have made preparations for the journey by selling all of my possessions have bought these three jewels – a sapphire, a ruby, and a pearl. I intend to present them as my tribute to the King.”
Then one of his friends said. “Artaban. no King will ever rise from the broken race of Israel. You will only be chasing shadows. ” They all bid Artaban farewell. Artaban put his jewels back into his saddle bag and went out on the roof to take up his vigil of watching the night sky.
As Jupiter and Saturn relied together like drops of glowing flame about to blend into one, a bright blue spark was born out of the darkness beneath them, rounding itself with purple splendor into a crimson sphere. He got on his horse and began his journey. However, when he got to the desert, he had to use one of his jewels to buy a camel This delay caused him to miss the others.
When he reached Bethlehem, the found out that the young family has gone to Egypt, Artaban. followed the king to Egypt looking everywhere for traces of die little family In Alexandria, a Rabbi told him to seek the king not among the rich but among the poor. He passed through countries where famine covered the land, and the poor were crying for bread. He made his dwelling in plague-stricken titles where the Bide were languishing in misery. He visited the oppressed and the afflicted in the subterranean prisons. He searched the crowded slave-markets.
Though he found no one to worship, he found many to serve. As the years passed, he fed the hungry, clothed the naked. healed the sick and comforted the captive. He had need all his jewels that he was saving for the king to respond to those in need.
Thirty three years had now passed away since Artaban began his pilgrimage. His hair was now pure white. He knew his life was near the end hut he was still desperate with hope to find the king. He had come at last to Jerusalem.
It was Passover and the city was filled with strangers. A large crowd gathered and Artaban asked what was going on. Same one answered. “We are gang to the execution of two robbers and another called Jesus of Nazareth, who has done many wonderful works. The priests and elders said that he must die. because he claims to be the Son of God. Pilate condemned him to the cross, because he said that he was the ‘King of the Jews.”
These familiar words fell upon the tired heart of Artaban. They had led him for 33-year B over land and sea. Now that he found the king, he Hart nothing to give. Jesus stopped, looks at him and said. Truly I tell you. just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me.” (Matt 25:40) He dies in peace knowing that Jesus accepted his gifts.”
‘Artaban told his friends at his home,’ My three champions are watching at the ancient temple in Babylon and I am watching here.”
THE REV. WILMER L.TODD
Guest Columnist
