In the German city of Cologne, in the majestic High Gothic cathedral, lay the alleged bones of the three wise men. Over the years many people have made a pilgrimage to this cathedral to pass in review before the bejeweled Shrine of the Magi (1180-1220) and even pay extra for the privilege. My heart is saddened for those who sincerely believe the relics of the magi are in the cathedral. According to tradition names have been ascribed to them, Casper, Melchior, and Balthazar. But it is not wrong to be skeptical that the actual relics of the wise men are in the cathedral tomb. The Bible itself does not contain the names of those who came to adore the Christ child nor does the Scripture indicate there were only three in number. There might have been more.
When Frederick, the Elector of Saxony kept bringing back one relic after another, over 19,000 in total, Martin Luther wondered if the expense of securing and maintaining the relics could not be put to better use in a practical way by helping the poor and attending to the daily needs of the people. One has to wonder the same today.
Christianity is a noble faith built upon the demonstrable truth of the resurrection. It should not be sustained or maintained by dubious claims of possessing what is improbable, and therein is the concern of many thoughtful people. No one wants to rob people of their faith or belittle religious relics. But the claims of having a strand of hair from the beard of Jesus, a lock of the hair of Mary, the bones of the magi, a piece of the original cross, etc moves beyond faith and objective evidence into religious fraud. But what can be done? What should be done?
I would suggest there be a return to the simplicity of Scripture and a remembrance that primarily Christians are to walk by faith and not by sight because faith is exalted above sight. Though the disciple Thomas was allowed to see the resurrected Christ, the glorified Lord taught him, and thus the church, that the greater blessing goes to those who have not seen and yet believe. John 20:29, "Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed."
Christians have a right to be concerned that religious fraud exists. The apostle Peter said it would happen. 2 Peter 2:3, "And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not."
It is wrong to make merchandise out of God’s people but that is exactly what is being done in great cathedrals throughout Europe with fantastic claims that prey upon the hearts of the faithful. But it is wrong, terribly wrong, to do this.
