Lord’s Day, Vol. 4 No. 51
The Christmas Story
-The Star In the East
Matthew 2:1 Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, 2 Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.
When Jesus was born, there was a stir in the cosmos. A cosmic miracle took place that was observed with great interest by wise men from the East. And so, Matthew chapter 2 begins with “behold”, observe, picture the scene with the mind’s eye of faith what actually took place! Our great God announced the birth of His Son by a star. Though Christ came in the form of a servant born in a lowly manger, yet His honour was declared in the heavens. For a star was created to proclaim that the bright and morning Star had arisen and from the East, these wise men came to worship Him.
The word “wise” means great. These were Gentiles, men of learning and wisdom, men of wealth and reputation.
These wise men sought out Jesus because of the supernatural sign in the heaven, which they connected with the birth of the Jewish Messiah. The prophet Daniel did show that the Messiah is not only king of the Jews, but also, King of the nations. The wise men put the pieces together and began that journey all the way from the East.
It was a deliberate effort as these men had to go on a long, difficult journey without modern travel convenience. It must have taken them a long time. Our great God has condescended to use a star to speak to the stargazers His abundant grace in sending His only begotten Son.
JC Ryle observed well. He commented, “There can be true servants of God in places where we should not expect to find them. The Lord has many “hidden one” like these wise men”.
The wise men acknowledged the leading of God in bringing them to His Son, identified to be the King of the Jews.
What a beautiful picture of God’s grace guiding His people to worship Him. Distance was not a factor that the wise men would place as an obstacle in the worship of the living God. They came to see Jesus, the living Word, in Bethlehem, the House of Bread.
We can imagine these wise men coming to Israel asking the people, “Where is your newborn King?’ and the people replying, “We have not heard of any newborn king. Herod is king. We know no other”.
The wise men went to Herod’s palace, but the newborn King was not there. Where did they find Jesus?
Matthew 2:3 When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him.
God was using the wise men to declare to Herod and the Jews their King has come. When Herod heard that there might be a newborn King of the Jews, he was troubled. He was troubled because he was a suspicious tyrant who eliminated anyone who had a remote chance of challenging his rule. That was all he cared about. Herod typified the graceless “gentlemen” – wasted wisdom!
Matthew 2:4 And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he demanded of them where Christ should be born.
Matthew 2:5 And they said unto him, In Bethlehem of Judaea: for thus it is written by the prophet, 6 And thou Bethlehem, in the land of Juda, art not the least among the princes of Juda: for out of thee shall come a Governor, that shall rule my people Israel.
Herod made an inquiry by summoning the Jewish leaders and he was told that indeed the Messiah would be born in Bethlehem. God’s Word did prophesy in Micah 5:2 that the Messiah will be born in Bethlehem!
Matthew 2:7 Then Herod, when he had privily called the wise men, inquired of them diligently what time the star appeared. 8 And he sent them to Bethlehem, and said, Go and search diligently for the young child; and when ye have found him, bring me word again, that I may come and worship him also. 9 When they had heard the king, they departed; and, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was. 10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy. 11 And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him…
Mary and Joseph by then had moved into a more permanent lodging than the stable where Jesus was born. But it was a humble lodging, a commoner’s home, and an ordinary-looking child who is the Saviour of the world… (to be continued)
Yours lovingly,
Pastor Lek Aik Wee