Church Sign - 12/21/2008

Church: Middlebrook Pike United Methodist Church (7234 Middlebrook Pike; Knoxville, TN 37909)

Sign: “Wise men still seek him today”

Commentary: This sign is a play on words reminding its reader of the original wise men who sought the Christ child and encouraging her to follow their lead. The wise men, likely astrologers, are alternately called "wise men" and "magi." The NASB and NIV call the visitors "magi" while the AMP, ASV, CEV, ESV, HCSB, KJV, NKJV, NLT, NRSV, and RSV refer to them as "wise men". Regardless of how you designate the visitors, the sign rings true - wise people still seek Jesus today.

Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem, saying, "Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we saw His star in the east and have come to worship Him." (Matthew 2:1-2, NASB)

Note: This oil painting, The Visit of the Wise Men, was created by contemporary Palestinian artist Zaki Baboun (b. 1962).