Then Herod secretly called the magi and determined from them the exact time the star appeared. And he sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search carefully for the Child; and when you have found Him, report to me, so that I too may come and worship Him.” After hearing the king, they went their way; and the star, which they had seen in the east, went on before them until it came and stood over the place where the Child was. After coming into the house they saw the Child with Mary His mother; and they fell to the ground and worshiped Him. Then, opening their treasures, they presented to Him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. And having been warned by God in a dream not to return to Herod, the magi left for their own country by another way.
Matthew 2: 7- 9, 11-12

DILIGENT SEEKERS
In his Gospel, Matthew offers us a few painfully vivid contrasts. In the present text the contrast exists between the foreign Magi, gentiles whose faithfulness to the revelation of God via the celestial bodies compels them to cross miles of desert in order to worship and bring costly tribute to the King of Kings, and the false King of the Jews who, despite the even greater revelation to which he has access, is solely concerned with the preservation of his own power. Within Matthew’s larger theme of Jesus as the King of Kings, this part of the nativity story is an opportunity to meditate on power and wealth rightly directed toward worship, versus the abuse of the same in what inevitably becomes self-worship.

In chapter 26 of his sacred text, Matthew presents us with a similar contrast in a vastly different context as he juxtaposes the woman who uses “very expensive fragrant oil” to anoint Christ and Judas Iscariot’s subsequent selling of the life of Christ for a mere thirty pieces of silver. In both stories Matthew, the former tax collector, emphasizes the costliness of gifts given in worship of Jesus, and contrasts this extravagance with the expediency and gross devaluing of life that naturally follows the self-interest of both Herod and Judas. As we bring great or humble gifts to Christ, their value is transformed and amplified, while those things we try to keep at all cost lead only to suffering and ashes.

For a painter as gifted as Mantegna, a story so rich in contrast and exotic detail is an irresistible subject, yet Mantegna’s picture of this event is remarkable in that he suppresses any and all context for the act of worship–this is neither house nor stable, nor particularly anywhere. He also eschews the customary depiction of landscape, camels, and other exotic animals. Mantegna even forgoes the full-length descriptions of the ornate clothing of Magi that one typically finds in paintings on this theme.  Instead, Mantegna offers us drastically cropped figures, unbelievably compressed into an intensely intimate pictorial and psychological space.  They that have come from afar are now close enough to feel the breath of the infant Jesus. The proximity of two of the Magi’s fingers to the foot of Christ underscores this closeness. 

This composition also allows Mantegna to focus his profound gift for rendering form on the heads of all of the figures. He sensitively describes the magi with starkly contrasting features and skin tones to remind us that these illustrious men represent the first fruits of the worshipers Jesus will call to Himself from every tongue, tribe, and nation. Just as he carefully renders and differentiates the Magi, Mantegna similarly describes the gifts they bring. This visual correlation reminds us that the Magi themselves are the true gift as they present themselves bodily before Jesus. The infant Messiah subtly offers a blessing to the bowing king in the foreground as Mantegna reminds us of the real economy at work in this event.  All true wealth and power are the possession of this tiny King who gives even as he receives. 

At the end of today’s reading the Magi complete their extraordinary obedience to the revelation of God. Just as they followed the leading of the star, so they will obey the commands of the Lord that come as they sleep. God could have kept his Son safe in innumerable ways, but he allowed the Magi one more opportunity to hear from Him, and to once more affirm where true authority resides as they disobey Herod’s command. 

As we begin the New Year today, let us all affirm that Jesus truly is King of Kings and Lord of Lords, and that He rewards all of those who diligently seek him.
Jonathan Puls, Associate Professor of Art

O LORD, Teach me to seek you and reveal yourself to me when I seek you. For I cannot seek you unless you first teach me, nor find you unless you first reveal yourself to me. Le me seek you in longing, and long for you in seeking. Let me find you in love and love you in finding.
Ambrose of Mila