[:en]SCRIPTURE: MATTHEW 2
“But you Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for out of you will come a ruler who will be the shepherd of my people Israel” (Matthew 7:6)
THE VISIT OF THE MAGI ( vs. 1-12)
Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judah when Herod was the king. The Magi from the east came and asked King Herod: “Where is the one who had been born King of the Jews?” When King Herold heard this, he was disturbed and told the Magi to see the child and report to him so that he could go and worship him. The Magi followed a star until they reached where Jesus was. They bowed down and worshiped him and brought gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.
THE ESCAPE TO EGYPT (vs. 13-18)
An angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and told him to take the child with Mary and go to Egypt because Herod was going to kill the child. So, Joseph and Mary got up and took the child during the night and left for Egypt. When King Herod found out that the Magi did not return to him, he was furious and ordered all boys in Bethlehem age 2 and below be killed.
THE RETURN TO NAZARETH (VS. 19-20)
After King Herod died, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in Egypt and told him to take the child and his mother and go to the land of Israel. So Joseph took the child and went there. But when he heard that the son of King Herod, Archaelaus was the king, he went to live in the town of Nazareth, a district of Galilee. It fulfilled the prophecy that He will be called a Nazarene.
SUMMARY:
The Magi” were also called the “wise men”. They were Gentile astrologers-scientists who studied the heavens. The star led them to the Savior. They brought gifts of gold frankincense and myrrh to Him.
When you see God’s wonderful creation, do you believe that there must be a creator? Are you willing to meet Jesus and offer him gifts?
Herod was an Edomite who hated Jesus. He was a ruthless king with many wives and had killed his sons to protect his throne. The title of “King of the Jews” had threatened his throne. So, he responded with fear by ordering all boys 2 years and below be killed. How do you respond to the King of Kings and Lord of Lords?
Jesus was a Nazarene. The word “Nazarene” relates to the Hebrew word “Netzer” which means “Branch”. Jesus is called a “Branch” (Isa.4:2 – beautiful and gracious branch; Isa. 11:1 – fruitful branch; Jer. 23:5 & 33:15;- righteous branch; Zech. 3:8 – my servant, the branch; Zech. 6:12 – the Branch) He humbled himself and lived in Nazareth, a despised place. But the Branch will blossom with power and glory.[:]