SCRIPTURE – MATTHEW 2
THE VISIT OF THE MAGI )vs. 1-12)
Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea during the time of King Herod. Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked king Herod: “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him.” (v. 1-2). When king Herod heard this, he called together all the people’s chief priests and teachers of the law and asked them where the Christ was to be born. And they replied: “In Bethlehem in Judea”. (vs. 3-4). Then Herod called the Magi secretly and found out from them the exact time the star had appeared. He sent them to Bethlehem and told them to return so that he may also go and worship him. (vs. 7-8).
The Magi followed the stars and arrived at the place where the child was. They saw the child with his mother Mary and bowed down to worship him. They also offered their gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. As they were returning home, a dream warned them not to go back to Herod but to to travel to their country by another route.
THE ESCAPE TO EGYPT (vs. 13-18)
An angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph and told him to escape to Egypt because King Herod was searching the child to kill him. So he got up, took the child and Mary during the night and left for Egypt. When Herod realized that he had been outwitted by the Magi, he was furious and he gave orders to kill all the boys in Bethlehem who were 2 years and under. This fulfilled the prophesy of Jeremiah.
THE RETURN TO NAZARETH (vs. 19-23)
After king Herod died, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt to go to Israel. So he got up , took the child and his mother and returned to Israel. But when he heard that Archelaus, the son of Herod was reigning, he was afraid to go there. He changed his destination to the district of Galilee and lived in a town called Nazareth. This fulfilled the prophesy of the prophets that says “He will be called a Nazarene”.
THOUGHTS:
RESPONSE TO JESUS’ BIRTH:
- A miraculous star appeared in heavens to tell the world that a king had been born.
- Magi – They were gentiles but they offered him gifts and went to worship Him.
- King Herod – he was disturbed with fear and deception. He did not want any new king to threaten his reign.
- Chief priests and scribes – they knew all about Christ’s birth but they did not go to see Him.
The Magi went to worship the king of the Jews with gifts and joy. They seek Jesus not for what they can get but for who He is. Today, we expect God to come looking for us and give us gifts and blessings.
King Herod became jealous when he heard that Jesus will be the King of the Jews. He was troubled and suspicious that he will be overthrown. So when he knew the Magi were going there, he told them to return to him so that he could worship him. That was a lie to trick the Magi to reveal the whereabouts of the newborn king. But his plan was to kill Jesus. But he did not succeed because God interfered by a dream to Magi to travel in another way back home.
The Magi brought valuable gifts to worship Jesus. They honored Christ because He is perfect, just and almighty. God the creator is worthy of the best we have to give. What gifts are you going to offer to God?
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