The Star that led the Wise Men from the East Day 20
· Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, saying, “Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the East and have come to worship Him.”
· His star also signifies His birth; He is called the bright and star - Jesus says, “I, Jesus, have sent my angel to give you this testimony for the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, and the bright Morning Star (Revelation 22:16).”
Back to the story. When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born.
· So, they said to him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for thus it is written by the prophet: But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are not the least among the rulers of Judah; for out of you shall come a Ruler who will shepherd My people Israel.’ ”
· Then Herod, when he had secretly called the wise men, determined from them what time the star appeared. And he sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search carefully for the young Child, and when you have found Him, bring back word to me, that I may come and worship Him also.”
· When they heard the king, they departed; and behold, the star which they had seen in the East went before them, till it came and stood over where the young Child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceedingly great joy. And when they had come into the house, they saw the young Child with Mary His mother, and fell down and worshiped Him (Matthew 2:1-12).
And when they had opened their treasures, they presented gifts to Him: gold, frankincense, and Myrrh.
Gold (to honor a king), Frankincense (sweet fragrance that the high priest offered to God), Myrrh (oil used to dress the dead).These three precious gifts were symbolic of honoring Jesus, the King; offering a sweet fragrance to Jesus/God; His death.
Back to the Scripture - Then, being divinely warned in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed for their own country another way (Matthew 2:1-12).
· The name for the wise men was “Magi,” they were astronomers who studied the stars, but this star must have been amazingly different.
· The wise men took heed to the warnings. The wise men did not fall for King Herod’s deceit regardless of his status.
· What about you? Will you compromise because of someone’s status? Being wise will help you to fulfill God’s will for your life. Furthermore, how are you honoring Jesus’ birth? Is He really what your season is about? If the truth were to be told, Jesus is the reason for every season!
FYI- The Bible never said how many wise men there were. It must have been assumed because of the three expensive gifts.
~ Betty A. Burnett ~
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