Mack Academy Weblog

A while ago, my parents watched a movie called, "The Fourth Wise man". It was based on a story by Henry Van Dyke called The Other Wise Man. They were so impressed with the story, that they wanted my sisters and me to watch it as well. Here is the summary:

A magi named Artaban leaves his home and sells everything he has to go look for the Messiah. All the other magi taunted him for his decision. A reluctant servant accompanied Artaban only for a reward of his (the servant's) freedom. Artaban brings three gifts for Jesus; a ruby, a sapphire, and a pearl. Along the way, he stops and helps needy people and gives the gifts away to provide for them. He got sidetracked, and for 33 years, Artaban lived with a colony of outcasts and lepers using his medical skills and farming abilities to help them. Artaban learned that Jesus was in Jerusalem and set out to meet him. Many troubles prevented him from seeing Jesus before the crucifixion. Before Artaban’s death, Jesus rewarded his faithful servant, Artaban, with his heart’s desire.

        My dad gave my sisters and me a challenge of how many verses from the Bible we could find to support this movie. He said if we found enough verses, we could earn the new Nancy Drew computer game for the four of us to play together. My dad also said that if we write a blog post about it, we could earn another game. These are the verses and the reasons why that we found:

John 3:16- For God so loved the world that He gave his only begotten son that whosoever believeth on Him will never perish but have eternal life. –Answers why Jesus came.

Isaiah 9:6- For unto us a child is born. Unto us a Son is given and the government will be upon His shoulders and His name will be called: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. –The prophecy that Jesus was Born.

Matthew 11:5- The Blind receive sight, the Lame walk, those who have leprosy are healed, the deaf her, the dead are raised and the good news is preached to the poor. –Blind man received his sight

1 Corinthians 9:17- For if I do this thing willingly, I have a reward: but if against my will, a dispensation of the gospel is committed unto me. –describes the servant

Matthew 6:1- Take heed that ye do not your alms before men to be seen of them: otherwise, ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven. –Artaban did not serve the colony for prestige among the magi

Matthew 6:2-4- Therefore, when you do your alms, do not sound a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Verily I saw unto you, they have their reward. But when you do alms, do not let your left hand know what your right hand does. That your alms may be in secret: and your Father which sees in secret Himself shall reward you openly.- Artaban did not announce to people that he was helping others.

Matthew 13: 45-46- Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchant man seeking goodly pearls: who, when he had found a pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had and bought it. –Artaban sold all he had for the King because he believed He (Jesus) was worthy.

Matthew 10:5-10- These twelve Jesus sent forth and commanded them, saying, “Go not into the way of the Gentiles, and into any city of the Samaritains enter ye not: But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. And as ye go, preach, saying, ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand.’ Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devil: freely ye have received, freely give. Provide neither gold nor brass in your purses, nor scrip for your journey, neither two coats, nor yet staves: for the workman is worthy of his meat.”- Artaban gave all to serve the Lord.

Matthew 7:1-5- Judge not, that ye be not judged. For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again. And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother’s eye but considerest not the beam in thine own eye? Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me pull out the mote of thine eye and behold, a beam is in thine own eye. Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then thou shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote of thy brother’s eye. –The servant was judging the people that Artaban helped based on their appearance, health,  or financial standing.

 1 Peter 2:24- He Himself bore our sins on His own body on the tree so that we might die to sin and live for righteousness by His wounds you have been healed. – explains why Jesus had to die on the cross

1 Peter 5:5- Young men, in the same way, be submissive to those who are older. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward on another because, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble” –The magi were proud about their abilities and not wiling to help

Matthew 25:35-36 –For I was an hungered and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger and ye took me in: naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me. –Described Artaban’s actions during the movie

Matthew 2:1-2 –Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, saying, “Where is He that is born King of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the east and are come to worship Him.” –described the magi seeing the star and coming to worship the Messiah

Matthew 6:19-21 –Do not store up for yourselves treasures on Earth where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but instead, store up for yourselves treasure in heaven where moth and rust do not destroy and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. –Artaban did not store up his treasure on the earth in the treasure or prestige of the Magi, but he put his treasure in the Messiah and His service

Matthew 7:12 -Therefore in all things, do unto others as you would have them do unto you: For this is the law and the prophets. -Artaban treated the people kindly and in return he earned the people's love and respect

Isaiah 10:1-2-Woe unto them that decree unrighteous decrees, and that write grievousness which they have prescribed; to turn aside the needy from judgment, and to take away the right from the poor of my people, that widows may be their prey, and that they may rob the fatherless. -Warning against the people who hounded the colony because they were jealous of their prosperity

Matthew 2:5-6 -And they said unto him, "In Bethlehem of Judea: For thus it is written by the prophet, and thou Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, art not the least among the princesses of Judah: for out of thee shall come a Governor, and he shall rule my people, Israel." -Gave the prophecy Artaban heard about where Jesus was born

Matthew 5:5 -Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth -Artaban was gentle toward the people he encountered

Matthew 5:8 -Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God -Described Artaban's desire to see God, and his effort to be pure in heart be serving others

Matthew 5:44 -But I say unto you, "Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you and persecute you." -Jesus told His followers to love their enemies and to pray for those who persecute them

Matthew 26:34 -Jesus said unto him, "Verily I say unto thee that this night, before the crock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice." - Jesus told Peter that he would deny Him

Matthew 7:7-8 -Ask, and it shall be given unto you; seek and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: For every one that asketh recieveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened. -Artaban was faithful to search for the Messiah and found Him

Psalm 14:1 -The fool hath said in his heart, "There is no God." They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is none that doeth good. -The servant refused to believe in God and to see the king. In his faithfulness to God, he was given the desire of his heart and he met Jesus.

1 Timothy 6:17-19 -Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not high-minded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy; That they do good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate; Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life. -Artaban's friends put their trust in wealth and their own knowledge while Artaban served others and laid up treasure in heaven

Matthew 23:12 -And whosoever shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself to be exalted. -Artaban humbled himself and served others, but his friend exalted himself and was killed

Proverbs 16:18 -Better is it to be of an humble spirit with the lowly, than to divide the spoil with the proud. -Artaban humbled himself and served others

Luke 2:29-32 -Lord now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word, For mine eyes have seen thy salvation which thou hast prepared before the face of all people; A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel. -Artaban waited his whole life to let him see the Lord, and God did not allow him to die without granting his desire

James 4:5 - Do ye think that the scripture saith in vain, "The spirit that dwelleth in us lusteth to envy?" -Artaban was blessed because he humbled himself but the Magi were rebuked because they were so proud

Proverbs 16:18 -Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall -Refers to the pride of the Magi

Matthew 19:21 - Jesus said unto him, "If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me." -Artaban sold everything to follow Jesus

Luke 10:36-37 -"Which now of these three, thinkest thou, was neighbor unto him that fell among the thieves?" And he said, "He that showed mercy on Him." Then said Jesus unto him, "Go, and do thou likewise" -Artaban was a good Samaritan to the people he saw

Isaiah 53:4 -Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. -Jesus healed the sick but was persecuted by the very people he had come to save

Matthew 9:29-30 -And he said unto them, "This kind can come forth by nothing, but by prayer and fasting." And they departed thence, and passed through Galilee; and he would not that any man should know it." -Jesus healed the blind

2 Timothy 2:24 -And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient. -Describes Artaban who truly was a servant.

Philippians 4:11 -Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.  - Artaban was content serving others

Hebrews 13:5-Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. -The servant couldn't understand why Artaban was so content serving others

Numbers 24:17 -I shall see him, but not now: I shall behold him, but not nigh: there shall come a Star out of Jacob, and a Sceptre shall rise out of Israel, and shall smite the corners of Moab, and destroy all the children of Sheth. -Artaban spent his whole life searching for the Messiah

1 Corinthians 13 (the chapter on love) -Artaban served the people because he loved them

Psalm 4:3 -But know that the Lord hath set apart him that is godly for himself: the Lord will hear when I call upon him. -Artaban was God's servant

Proverbs 19:7 -All the brethren of the poor do hate him: how much more do his friends go far from him? He persueth them with words, yet they are wanting to him. -Artaban gave freely of himself and his resources to help the poor. His reward was to see Christ before he died