The Fourth Wiseman-- a fine faithfilled movie

Many of us are familiar with the three wisemen who visited the Christ Child but how about the fourth one? Okay, so there really wasn't a fourth wiseman. Still good fiction though.

The film tells the tale off Artaban, the determined Magi who after careful study believes that an unusual star will direct him to the birthplace of the Messiah who is soon to be born. He sells all that he owns for three very precious gems (foreshadows a certain parable doesn't it) that he will offer as gifts to the newborn king. Artaban is joined by his father's slave Orantes, who has been told by his master that he will be set free after returning his master's son home.

Unfortunately, the journey lasts longer than either Artaban or Orantes ever imagined. For they just barely miss Jesus in Bethlehem and are told that He and His family have gone on to Egypt to escape King Herod. So they search the great palaces of Egypt for years, for surely this great king would be in estates such as these. However, as one Jewish man who has studied the prophecies himself tells Artaban that the Messiah will be found in Israel. Also, this scholar proposes something strange to this Magi. Instead of searching among the royal and noble people, to instead try looking among the poor and lowly of society for He is to tend to their needs. Such a suggestion puzzles Artaban, for why would the Messiah surround Himself with such people, people that are to be avoided?

Orantes anxious to receive his freedom, keeps urging Artaban to leave this wild goose-chase and head back home, yet Artaban still persists. What is it that is has him so determined to find this Messiah? Like so many throughout history and even people today, Artaban has suffered loss. He had lost his dear wife and children in a fire and then to cope with his grief buried himself in his work. None of it fulfilled him though, so he believes that if he meets the foretold Messiah and serves Him that he will find purpose in his life. So Artaban is on the great quest to discover the meaning of life itself.

Along the way though he keeps meeting people that need his help, which side track him further and in helping them he must sacrifice not only his time but his gifts to the King. After thirty-three years of searching Artaban is close to death's door, as is the King that he is so desperately trying to reach. However on Easter Sunday, Artaban's dream comes true before his death and a profound lesson is learned about what the greatest gift of all to the King really was.