What does the story of the Magi’s journey to Jerusalem reveal about the relationship between special revelation and natural revelation?
The Magi’s journey to Jerusalem showed the need to know the Scriptures to find Christ. While the wise men used astrology to seek him in Jerusalem, his actual birthplace was revealed in Micah 5:1–15.
It is remarkable that despite the witness of creation (the stars), Christ cannot be found without the Scriptures, and that the Bible itself here is considered decisive. Without knowledge of the revelation of the Scriptures, the magi would not have traveled to Bethlehem and would not have recognized the Child as the King of the Jews. While it may be true that it was astrology and not special revelation which had led them to Jerusalem, it becomes evident that even in this extraordinary case Christ could not be found through natural revelation alone, and that particular grace is needed to supplement common grace1
4 and assembling all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born.