Category: New Testament
Scriptures:
Matthew 2:1-2:12
Matthew 2:1-2:12
1 Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of King Herod, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem, saying,
2 “Where is he who is born King of the Jews? For we saw his star in the east, and have come to worship him.”
3 When King Herod heard it, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him.
4 Gathering together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he asked them where the Christ would be born.
5 They said to him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for this is written through the prophet,
6 ‘You Bethlehem, land of Judah, are in no way least among the princes of Judah: for out of you shall come a governor, who shall shepherd my people, Israel.’”
7 Then Herod secretly called the wise men, and learned from them exactly what time the star appeared.
8 He sent them to Bethlehem, and said, “Go and search diligently for the young child. When you have found him, bring me word, so that I also may come and worship him.”
9 They, having heard the king, went their way; and behold, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, until it came and stood over where the young child was.
10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceedingly great joy.
11 They came into the house and saw the young child with Mary, his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Opening their treasures, they offered to him gifts: gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
12 Being warned in a dream that they shouldn’t return to Herod, they went back to their own country another way.
Commentary
Although a Messiah had been promised to the Jews, it was Gentiles from a foreign land who sought Him out, recognized His value, presented Him with expensive gifts, and bowed down and worshiped Him. This story speaks to the fact that God makes every effort to reach every person on earth with His message. God never abandons anyone, and there is no person or group of people that is too far gone to be able to come to Him.
The wise men had such a passion to find Jesus that they left their homes and traveled a great distance. That’s the passion that we as believers should have in seeking Him daily. It’s easy to lose our passion with the cares of daily life. When the Magi found Jesus, the scripture says, “they fell down and worshiped Him.” I wonder if we recognize the holiness of God as much as they did the day they met God in the flesh.
King Herod was threatened by the newborn King and sought to kill Him. He asked the wise men to come back and tell him where Jesus was after they found Him. Instead, they listened to the Lord, who sent them a message in a dream to go back another way. Think of what might have happened if they had not obeyed God’s voice.