The Legend of Prester John

Scripture: Matthew 2.1-12; Ephesians 3.1-12


They were the Ph.D’s and professors of their day. They were part of an international wisdom movement. They are depicted as both kings and astrologers. And their journey to Judea and Jerusalem is the beginning of the proclamation of Jesus to the Gentiles. They are called the Magi, the Wise Men. They brought three gifts so we number them at three. They followed a star that they believed to be special, a sign that was pointing them to the birth of a King. They didn’t know the Biblical prophecies. They were probably not very familiar with Hebrew history. They simply went on a journey in search of truth.

They, of course, make it to Jerusalem and inquire of the vassal king of Rome, Herod the self-titled Great, about where they might find his replacement. They are directed to Bethlehem. They bring their gifts and place them at the feet of the Christ child and then they quietly go home.

What ever became of the Magi? What compelled them to go on so great a journey? What did they end up believing about this child king of the Jews named Jesus? What, if any, difference did their beliefs make to the rest of their lives?

These are difficult, maybe impossible, questions to answer. But there were those who once tried to answer them. The legend of what happened to the Wise Men gave birth to another legend, the Legend of Prester John.

Fast forward to the twelfth century. It is a perilous time in Christendom. The territorial conquests of the First Crusade are being reversed by the Moslem armies of Syria and the Ottoman Turks. Certain Bishops are urging the Pope to call for a second crusade. But only a great legion of crusaders from Europe can hope to stem Moslem tide. And then, one of the Bishops of the near East tells this story to the Pope:

Not many years ago a certain John, a king and a priest who lives in the extreme Orient, beyond Persia and Armenia, and who like his people is a Christian. . .made war on the brothers known as the Samiardi, who are the kings of the Persians and Medes, and stormed Ecbatana, the capital of their kingdoms. . .The ensuing battle lasted for three days. . .At last Presbyter John, for so they customarily call him, put the Persians to flight. . . He is said to be a direct descendant of the Magi, who are mentioned in the Gospel, and to rule over the same peoples they governed, enjoying such glory and prosperity that he uses no scepter but one of emerald. Inspired by the example of his forefathers, who came to adore Christ in his cradle, he had planned to go to Jerusalem.

How this story of a Christian king in the far East got started, perhaps God only knows. It was based on the fact that there were Christians in the East who were descendants of the first converts made by the Apostle Thomas and others, descendants perhaps also of the Magi. These Christians were “cut off” as it were from the rest of Christendom by the Moslem kingdoms. To suppose that there was a great Christian kingdom ruled by a Christian king named John was a bit of stretch to say the least. But one cannot overestimate the impact this story had throughout the Christian world at that time. Here was hope of a powerful Christian ally in the cause of the faith. If only they could find this Prester John and his Christian kingdom! It lay somewhere on the other side of the Moslem world. This hope led to the first European exploration of Africa and the Middle East since the time of Alexander. I probably don’t need to tell you that there were evils done under the banner of Christ during the Crusades. But it is also vitally important to note that there were, in addition to the land and power mongers, sincere believers who desired to preach the gospel to all nations. These men were often the first white people to venture into these far countries, ala David Livingstone and Henry Stanley in East Africa. They were adventurers sure, but first and foremost they were Christian missionaries wanting to point others to Christ.

The irony today is that the powers of Christendom at that time, England, France, Portugal, Spain are countries were you are more likely to find practicing Moslems than faithful Christians. Meanwhile the Church of Jesus Christ in Africa and Asia flourishes, sending missionaries back to the West that once sought to proselytize them.

What can we learn from this?

First, sincere desire to witness for Christ coupled with unreserved commitment and resource will always have effect. The effects may not be immediate. They were not for those first European missionary/explorers. But who can doubt that seeds of truth and good were planted by some that are now bearing fruit in our world?

Second, if we live in a world where it is difficult to get your bearings among so many voices and so many truths, it is still possible to find wisdom that leads to truth. Think about the Wise Men and what they didn’t have. They didn’t have the benefit of growing up in a Christian (or Jewish) land or culture. They didn’t know anything about the Bible. They were probably already indoctrinated in some other belief system of the Near East. And yet, they went on a journey in search of truth and found God. We call their journey Epiphany, or “awakening.”

An awakening is still possible today.

“The scripture says, ‘No one who believes in him will be put to shame.’ For there is no distinction between Jew and Gentile; the same Lord is Lord of all and is generous to all who call on him. For, ‘Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.’”
Romans 10.11-13


“This is right and is acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires everyone to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God; there is also one mediator between God and humankind, Christ Jesus, himself human, who gave himself a ransom for all.” 1 Timothy 2.3-6

It’s possible for your friend, your neighbor, your family member, or your coworker to find the key to their lives, to be awakened to the truth, if someone that knows them is willing to tell them.

None of us have all the knowledge we might. None of us have, from a human perspective, a clean slate with no skeletons in the closet. But as we seen, God uses imperfect missionaries to do the work for his perfect kingdom. You are a missionary. Go boldly for the sake of the Gospel!