ARTABÁN, EL CUARTO REY MAGO

The Story of the Fourth Wise Man

Introduction to Artabán

• The narrative introduces a fourth wise man, named Artabán, who also saw the star over Bethlehem and decided to follow it.

• Artabán intended to offer a chest filled with precious pearls as a gift for the newborn child.

Acts of Kindness

• On his journey, Artabán encountered various individuals in need and chose to help them by giving away his pearls.

• His acts of kindness delayed his arrival in Bethlehem as he prioritized assisting the poor, sick, and imprisoned.

The Search for the Child

• By the time Artabán reached Bethlehem, he found that the other wise men had already left and that Jesus had fled to Egypt with his parents due to King Herod's threat.

• Despite losing sight of the guiding star, Artabán continued searching for Jesus for over 30 years while helping those in need.

Recognition and Regret

• Eventually arriving in Jerusalem during an uproar where a man was being condemned, Artabán recognized something familiar in him amidst suffering.

• He realized that this man was Jesus, now grown up but hanging on a cross; regret filled him as he understood he had failed in his mission.

Redemption and Revelation

• After three days of waiting for death in Jerusalem, Artabán experienced a vision of light brighter than stars—Jesus resurrected came to meet him.