The Other Wise Man
(Summary)
Artaban was one of the Magi, a group of people who were seeking the
sign of the birth of a King among the Jews. When they found the star in the
heavens, they got ready to go find him. Artaban prepared three gifts for the
King: a sapphire, a ruby, and a pearl of great price. Artaban was excited to
pursue and complete this trip.
On the way to joining his companions for the journey across the desert,
Artaban encountered a dying man. He stopped to help the man, but this caused
Artaban to miss the departure of his friends. They left without him. Stuck with
only his horse, Artaban sold the sapphire to buy a train of camels and provisions
for his journey. “I may never overtake my friends,” he said. “Only God the
merciful knows whether I shall not lose the sight of the King because I tarried to
show mercy."
By the time he arrived in Bethlehem, it was too late. A woman whom he
encountered singing softly to her child told him that he missed his friends by
three days. She also told him that the child they sought had fled to Egypt with
his parents for some reason. Soon the reason was apparent. Herod’s soldiers
showed up in the village to kill all the young children.
Stunned, the mother took the child in her arms, her face white with terror.
Artaban, realizing what he could do for her, stood in the doorway of her humble
home and spoke to the soldier that approached. "There is no one in this place
but me, and I am waiting to give this jewel to the prudent captain who will leave
me in peace." It was enough. The greedy soldier took the jewel and ordered his
men to march on. The woman’s child was spared by the red ruby.
Artaban traveled to Egypt in search of the child King, but he could not
find him. Knowing the child would grow into a man who would minister to the
poor and needy, Artaban searched among people who were living in famine and
sickness. He visited prisons, slave markets, and workhouses. “He fed the
hungry, and clothed the naked, and healed the sick, and comforted the captive;
and his years went by more swiftly than the weaver's shuttle that flashes back
and forth through the loom while the web grows and the invisible pattern is
completed.”
After thirty-three years, Artaban, now an old man, found himself in
Jerusalem, still looking for his King. When he arrived, he noticed that the city
was in an uproar over something. He asked a person passing by who explained
what was happening. Pilate had sentenced a man to be crucified next to two
thieves. The man, named Jesus of Nazareth, had done so many marvelous works
and miracles among the people, claiming to be the Son of God, that Pilate called
him the King of the Jews.
Struck by the name, Artaban wondered if this was the man he was
looking for. He reached for his last treasure, the pearl of great price. Perhaps
there was still time for him to give the pearl before this Jesus died on the cross.
He began moving toward the hill called Golgotha when suddenly he saw a
young girl being carried away captive. She broke free and ran to him. Kneeling
and clutching his knees, she begged him to help her. Her father had died in debt,
and his creditors had seized the girl to sell into slavery to pay the debts. Artaban
had compassion on the girl and rescued her with his last treasure, the pearl of
great price.
Suddenly, an earthquake struck the city. The sky darkened, and lightening
flashed everywhere. It was the sign of Christ's death. As the city shook, Artaban
was struck by a falling roof tile. There in the street, the young girl sat with him
as his life began to fade. She heard him say, as if to nobody, "Not so, my Lord!
For when saw I thee an hungered, and fed thee? Or thirsty, and gave thee drink?
When saw I thee a stranger, and took thee in? Or naked, and clothed thee?
When saw I thee sick or in prison, and came unto thee? Three-and-thirty years
have I looked for thee; but I have never seen thy face, nor ministered to thee,
my King."
Suddenly, Artaban's face brightened, and he breathed his last breath in
calm relief. "His journey was ended. His treasures were accepted. The other
Wise Man had found the King."
