Did the wise men make a mistake in going to Herod?
What if they had chosen to search the scriptures to find the prophecy of Christ’s birth (Micah 5:2) instead? Or prayed?
Or gone to the temple to get direction from Anna?
But they didn’t.
I could be completely wrong with this particular interpretation, but let’s just play out the scenario. Because sometimes, despite our best intentions, we make mistakes that have consequences beyond ourselves.
And it is horrible. In this case, Herod’s knowledge led to innocent children dying, and even the Savior’s life being threatened.
But I find comfort in the rest of the wise men story. They felt inspired, long before their (possible) mistake to interact with Herod, to bring gifts of gold, frankincense, myrrh—
The very thing Mary and Joseph would need to fund their escape from Herod.
As it says in Romans 8:28, “we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.”
.
All things—that includes your mistakes and your failures—can work together for good.
“God can turn mistakes into miracles.” (Bayless Conley)
And so, the wise men brought gifts—
to the One who would give us the ultimate Gift.
Because “All that is unfair about life can be made right through the Atonement of Jesus Christ.” (Preach My Gospel) Even the deaths of those innocent children. Even the worst tragedies caused by your worst mistakes.
Being a wise man (or woman) doesn’t mean we never make mistakes, it means we know who can make them right.
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