53 The Visit of the Wise Men [Matthew 2:1–12]
The Bible passage: [Matthew 2:1–12]
The Story:
A while after Jesus was born in Bethlehem, wise men from the east arrived unexpectedly in Jerusalem, saying, “Where is the newborn King of the Jews? We saw His star in the east and have come to worship Him.”
When King Herod heard this, he was deeply disturbed, along with all of the Jewish leaders. He assembled all the religious experts and asked them where the Messiah would be born.
They told him, “The prophet wrote, ‘You, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the towns of Judah: because out of you will come a leader who will shepherd My people Israel.’”
Herod secretly summoned the wise men and asked them the exact time the star appeared. He sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search for the child. When you find Him, report back to me so that I too can go and worship Him.”
After hearing the king, they continued on their way. They again saw the star they had seen in the east! It led them until it stopped above the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they were overjoyed beyond measure.
Entering the house, they saw the child with Mary, His mother. Falling to their knees, they worshiped Him. Then they opened their treasures and presented Him with gifts: gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
After being warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their own country by another route.
The Lessons:
- Herod asked the experts where the Messiah would be born. Another reference to Jesus as the Messiah. This is Herod the Great. Herod is his “family name”. You will read about his son and grandson later.
- Here we have another reference to the prophet’s words about Bethlehem. [Micah 5:2]
- The wise men visited the baby Jesus in a house. This was apparently days, weeks, or months after the birth and the visit of the shepherds.
- Judging by the expensive gifts that the wise men brought, they were apparently more upper-class people. God brought common shepherds and upper-class wise men to meet the Messiah.
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