There are many departments and areas of study at a university – Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Geology, Psychology, Sociology, Literature, Anthropology, Economics, Politics, Art, Drama, Law, and Philosophy, just to name a few. – All looking to learn – to find something of the truth – truth of the world – about the human person and our relations with each other - but what is the point? To what end does one study these things?
There are many potential answers that could be given – some do so because they find it enjoyable – others because they are looking for economic gain, to get a good job – others because of the prestige a degree brings – and there are those who study because they think it will help them gain power.
This is not a new question – schools of learning of various sorts have been around for a long time. There may be some legitimate elements to each of these answers – but they all come up short. These are all about effectiveness – what do I get – what does learning allow me to do – But that is not enough. Power is not an end in itself – neither is mere enjoyment – or the ability to make money, or the honor that can come from earning degrees.
King Herod had a lot of education – but his concern was nothing to do with truth – he wanted to keep power and wealth with his prestige. He is the king of the Jews as established by the Roman Empire - Upon learning about the Christ child – he wanted to know Christ’s location so that the child could be killed, removing a threat to the throne. Learning ultimately needs to be about truth – and the value of the truth – something Herod had no interest. Herod was only engaging in study for what it could do for him – not for the sake of truth.
But the Magi – there was something different - the Magi came from the east looking for truth – looking for a child who has been born. Coming seeking truth.
We do not know much about these Magi – no matter what the carol “We Three Kings” says – “We three kings of orient are” – They were likely not kings – instead, are magi – a term for magicians or wise men - a sort of pagan priests or astronomers. We also do not know for sure that there were three – only that they brought three gifts – also, they were likely not from the orient but from Persia, which is indeed east of Jerusalem.
However, what is essential is not mere historical details – but that these Magi are men who have studied, they are of learning, and are seeking truth – They are not Jewish – they are not looking for the fulfillment of any prophecy – nor are they aware of the prophecies of the Old Testament – they are only following the signs of their study – searching for truth – going were it might lead.
In this search, they follow a star – and come to Bethlehem. And there they find truth – a child - They were searching for truth and found a person – Jesus – the son of God – the second person of the trinity taken on flesh – a small child. And to this child, truth – they bring three gifts – gold, a gift for a king, frankincense – a gift for a God – and myrrh, a preparation for burial. – recognize just who this child is.
What did all these studies and search for truth lead them to? A person – the Person of Jesus Christ. For truth is not separated from God – and in Christ truth is revealed to us – and we find truth not just in facts, formulas, or effective practices – but in the person of Christ and our relationship to him. The fulfillment of the studies of the magi was found in Christ.
King Herod missed Christ because he was not interested. He did not care for truth and never found the actual purpose of all the education he received – dying only a few short years later – For he did not care about the truth – only what kept him in power and was to his benefit. But the magi – pagans that they might be –were the first of the nations to recognize Christ – and just who he is – finding the fulfillment of all their studies. The end of education is Christ.
That is still the end of education today and the modern the university, even if it is not always recognized. It is easy for different fields to be distracted by various tasks – money, power, and technological advancement. These are not, per se, wrong - a college degree can help improve one’s lifetime earnings and can help support a family - but learning and education must be about something more.
Indeed, any valid field of study points beyond itself. Physics, chemistry, mathematics? They all point to the God who created the world – a world of order and beauty. - Economics and politics – the human person as a social animal harmed by sin? Law points to ethics and the purpose of life - the need for salvation – The ends of these all point to God – to Christ come to save us.
There may be many King Herods today – but there are also the Magi. No matter the field of study - the purpose and end of education is not just a productive workforce or economic advantage. Nor is it found in how many facts one may know – but about truth, and truth is found ultimately in a person – Jesus Christ – and our relationship with him.
While we think of education and learning in the formal setting of a University – and while a college education can be excellent - it turns out this end does not require a college degree – it only requires us to go looking for truth – to go looking for Christ – That Magi, found Christ, not just by their own wisdom, but guided by a star – if we go looking – we find that he has come to us – looking to guide us to truth – leading us to himself – the end of learning and of life – Jesus Christ.