Quote: “Every Who down in Who-ville liked Christmas a lot, but the Grinch, who lived just north of Who-ville did Not!”
Although I do not poses an edgy voice like Boris Karloff, I am sure many of you recognize the line from arguably the most famous of Dr. Seuss’ books: The Grinch that Stone Christmas. The story tells us of a tale of a fictitious individual called the Grinch who hated Christmas. Why, the explanation goes:
Quote: “Perhaps his shoes were too tight, his head was not screwed on right, but most likely, it was because his heart was two sizes too small, his brain was full of spiders and he had Garlic for a soul”.
The Grinch tried everything to keep Christmas from coming but it came just the same. Although the Grinch is a mythical character, many have compared Herod of Matthew chapter two with the Grinch. But unlike the story of the Grinch, Herod has a much worse reaction to the arrival of Christmas.
As we sit on the Sunday after Christmas, in many ways Christmas seems so far. It seems that so much time was spent preparing for Christmas, and it came and went so fast. Matthew Chapter two peers into the first recorded events after Jesus’ birth and give us a message just on the other side of Christmas. As we look forward to 2008 we see the reactions to Christ and they give us three general responses 1) Responding with Hostility (Herod), 2) Responding with Indifference (chief priests and scribes) 3) Responding with Worship (Magi)
1) Responding with Hostility (Herod) Matthew 2:1-3
Matthew 2:1-3 [2:1]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, [2]saying, "Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him." [3]When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him; (ESV)
The events described in this passage probably occurred several months after Jesus was born. We see from 2:11 that Jesus’ family was now staying in a house rather than the stable where He was born (Luke 2:7). Since Herod died in 4 BC, this would have most likely been either 5-6 BC, up to 2 years after the birth of Christ.
SETTING: BETHLEHEM OF JUDEA
As it still is today, Bethlehem was then a small town five or six miles south of Jerusalem, in the fertile hill country of Judea (Judah), It is cradled between two ridges and was located along the main ancient highway from Jerusalem to Egypt. It was once called Ephrath, or Ephrathah, and is referred to by that name several times in the Old Testament (Gen. 35:16; Ruth 4:11; Ps. 132:6; Mic. 5:2).
The town came to be called Bethlehem after the conquest of Canaan under Joshua, its new name meaning “house of bread.”
• In the Old Covenant, God the father provided Manna, bread from heaven to His people. Now we have Christ, who is the bread of life out of Bethlehem, the house of bread.
THE ONE RESPONDING WITH HOSTILITY: HEROD THE KING
This Herod, known as “the Great,” is the first of several Herods mentioned in the New Testament. Julius Caesar had appointed his father, Antipater, to be procurator, or governor, of Judea under the Roman occupation. Antipater then managed to have his son Herod appointed prefect of Galilee. In that office Herod was successful in quelling the Jewish guerilla bands who continued to fight against their foreign rulers. After fleeing to Egypt when the Parthians invaded Palestine, Herod then went to Rome and in 40 B.C. was declared by Octavian and Antony (with the concurrence of the Roman senate) to be the king of the Jews. He invaded Palestine the next year and, after several years of fighting, drove out the Parthians and established his kingdom.
Because he was not Jewish, but Idumean (Edomite), Herod married Mariarune, heiress to the Jewish Hasmonean house, in order to make himself more acceptable to the Jews he now ruled. Herod was cruel and merciless. He was incredibly jealous, suspicious, and afraid for his position and power. Fearing his potential threat, he had the high priest Aristobulus, who was his wife Mariamne’s brother, drowned-after which he provided a magnificent funeral where he pretended to weep. He then had Mariamne herself killed, and then her mother and two of his own sons. Five days before his death (about a year after Jesus was born) he had a third son executed. One of the greatest evidences of his bloodthirstiness and insane cruelty was having the most distinguished citizens of Jerusalem arrested and imprisoned shortly before his death. Because he knew no one would mourn his own death, he gave orders for those prisoners to be executed the moment he died-in order to guarantee that there would be mourning in Jerusalem. His crowning cruelty was mentioned as an event penned:
The Slaughter of the Innocents:
Matthew 2:16 [16]Then Herod, when he saw that he had been tricked by the wise men, became furious, and he sent and killed all the male children in Bethlehem and in all that region who were two years old or under, according to the time that he had ascertained from the wise men. (ESV)
This was done in hopes of killing any threat to his throne from the One the magi said had been born King of the Jews.
MAGI FROM THE EAST
Although the third reaction to Christ specifies the Magi, we are introduced to them here.
Few biblical stories are as well known, yet so clouded by myth and tradition, as that of the magi, or wise men, mentioned by Matthew. During the Middle Ages legend developed that they were kings, that they were three in number, and that their names were Casper, Balthazar, and Melchior. Because they were thought to represent the three sons of Noah, one of them is often pictured as an Ethiopian. A twelfth-century bishop of Cologne even claimed to have found their skulls.
A magos (or “Magian”) was a wise man or seer from a Median tribe in Persia who interpreted dreams and acted as priest. After an unsuccessful rebellion against the Persians, the magoi became a priestly tribe, much like the Levites of Israel. Although they were not kings, often magoi were elevated to positions of rule.
The only Biblical account we know about these particular magi are the few given by Matthew in the first twelve verses of chapter 2. We are not told their number, their names, their means of transportation to Palestine, or the specific country or countries from which they came. The fact that they came from the east would have been assumed by most people in New Testament times, because the magi were primarily known as the priestly-political class of the Parthians-who lived to the east of Palestine. If they were from: Arabia, Persia, or Mesopotamia is uncertain.
• How the Magi specifically found out about the Christ Child is not recorded. They may have received Biblical revelation from those who traveled there:
Genesis 25:6 [6]But to the sons of his concubines Abraham gave gifts, and while he was still living he sent them away from his son Isaac, eastward to the east country. (ESV)
• They possibly became familiar with the Jewish hope of a Messiah while Israel was under Persian rule (539–332 B.C.).(Believer’s Study Bible. 1997, c1995. C1991 Criswell Center for Biblical Studies. (electronic ed.) (Mt 2:1). Nashville: Thomas Nelson)
• Balaam’s prophecy (Nu 24:17) which we will see in regards to the star in a minute,
• and perhaps Daniel’s (Da 9:24, &c.), might have come down to them by tradition; but nothing definite is known of them.
(Jamieson, R., Fausset, A. R., Fausset, A. R., Brown, D., & Brown, D. (1997). A commentary, critical and explanatory, on the Old and New Testaments. On spine: Critical and explanatory commentary. (Mt 2:1). Oak Harbor, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.)
• Or they may have received direct revelation, like in a dream.
One is truly wise when one realized the greatness of God through His son:
2 Timothy 3:15 [15]and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. (ESV)
When these magi, however many there were, came to Jerusalem, they began asking, “Where is he who has been born king of the Jews?”
The Greek construction (saying is a present participle emphasizing continual action) suggests that they went around the city questioning whomever they met. Because they, as foreigners, knew of the monumental birth, they apparently assumed that anyone in Judea, and certainly in Jerusalem, would know of this special baby’s whereabouts. They must have been more than a little shocked to discover that no one seemed to know what they were talking about.
• There are two very Important lessons for us:
o Imagine the impact we can have if we continued to ask this question. If we avoid their mistake of assumption, and we went about in a continual action we could point to reality of Christ.
Please turn to Matthew 5
We are not told how the God of revelation caused the magi to know that the King of the Jews had been born, only that He gave them the sign of His [the One called King] star in the east.
• This star has been variously identified as a comet, a supernova, a planetary conjunction, or a unique supernatural phenomenon.(Elwell, W. A. (1996, c1989). Evangelical Commentary on the Bible . (electronic ed.) (Mt 2:1). Grand Rapids: Baker Book House.)
How did they associate a star with a king, and how did they identify it with Israel? All I know is that in that section of the East, the people had a prophecy given by Balaam, which is recorded in Numbers 24:17:
Numbers 24:17 [17]I see him, but not now; I behold him, but not near: a star shall come out of Jacob, and a scepter shall rise out of Israel; it shall crush the forehead of Moab and break down all the sons of Sheth. (ESV)
For us today, we have a present day implication in regards to that light:
Matthew 5:14-16 [14]"You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. [15]Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. [16]In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven. (ESV)
• We are called to reflect the light of Christmas to a dark world.
In poetry that is called the eastern star, and, actually, there is an organization by that name. One commentator noted:
Quote: “The worthy matron of that group was a member of my church in Nashville, and she was greatly upset when she heard me say that it was not an eastern star. If they had seen His star in the east and it had been an eastern star, the wise men would have ended up in India or China. The star was in the west!”(McGee, J. V. (1997, c1981). Thru the Bible commentary. Based on the Thru the Bible radio program. (electronic ed.) (4:14). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.).
Our primary calling is reflected in what the Magi understood. These travelers from the east had come to Palestine with but one purpose: to find the One born King of the Jews and worship Him. The word worship is full of meaning, expressing the idea of falling down, prostrating oneself, and kissing the feet or the hem of the garment of the one honored. They had genuinely seeking hearts, hearts that the Lord promises will never fail to find Him (Jer. 29:13).
• Their faithfulness is astounding. How often do we want all our questions answered before we venture out? The Magi went out seeking God.
THE AGITATION OF HEROD
The response of Herod was exactly the opposite of that of the magi. Whereas the magi rejoiced at hearing of Jesus’ birth, when Herod the king heard it, he was troubled. The king’s anxiety is not hard to understand. In the first place, he was sitting on a political and religious powder keg. He had driven the Parthians out of Palestine but had to continue fighting the bands of Jewish zealots who wanted their country to be free from Roman occupation and domination. Especially in light of his intense jealousy and paranoia, any mention of another king of the Jews sent him into a frenzy of fear and anger.
• This is a common reaction to Christ coming into the world. People are happy hearing general greeting of good will, but point out the reality of a new kingdom and Christ as king, and you hear great agitation.
That all Jerusalem with him was also troubled may indicate that their concern, like Herod’s, was political and military. Perhaps they too viewed the magi as the precursors of another conquest by the Parthians, who had sent this forward body ahead to discover and perhaps even crown some new king that would rule Palestine in Parthia’s behalf-much in the same way that Herod ruled it in Rome’s behalf.
• This reaction is common. So called human rights advocates publicly champion the complete public removal of Christ from this time of year.
• For some, who experience a particularly difficult event this time of year like a death or separation, the reaction of Christ now can be particularly caustic. This is this is the response of hostility that is deadly.
The reaction of hostility and the star of Bethlehem did not end with Herod.
Illustration 4300 Star Over Christ’s Birthplace
A Silver Star hanging over the birthplace of Jesus in Bethlehem was the cause of a war which involved five world powers, lasted three long years, and caused a million casualties as well as a billion and a half dollars. This was known as the Crimean War (1853–56). For many years, the Silver Star decorating the site of Christ’s birth had been an object of controversy. The Eastern Orthodox clergy wanted to replace it with a star of its own; the Latin clergy objected. The former were backed by Russia and the latter by France. When Turkey—which then ruled over the Holy Land—sided with the Latins, Russia declared war on Turkey.
Great Britain, France and Italy then rallied to Turkey’s side. The Allies finally won. But the Russians topped off the affair with an act of extreme sacrilege. They sold at auction for fertilizer the bleached bones of 38,000 Russian soldiers who fell in the battle of Sevastopol. Two years later in 1958, the Silver Star was permanently taken off. (Tan, P. L. (1996, c1979). Encyclopedia of 7700 illustrations : A treasury of illustrations, anecdotes, facts and quotations for pastors, teachers and Christian workers. Garland TX: Bible Communications.)
We have seen: 1) Responding with Hostility (Herod) Matthew 2:1-3 and now:
2) Responding with Indifference (chief priests and scribes) Matthew 2:4-8
Matthew 2:4-8 [4]and assembling all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. [5]They told him, "In Bethlehem of Judea, for so it is written by the prophet: [6]"’And you, O Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for from you shall come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel.’" [7]Then Herod summoned the wise men secretly and ascertained from them what time the star had appeared. [8]And he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, "Go and search diligently for the child, and when you have found him, bring me word, that I too may come and worship him." (ESV)
Herod’s first response to the news of the magi was to assemble/gather together all the chief priests and scribes of the people and to inquire of them where the Christ was to be born. Obviously Herod connected the King of the Jews with the Messiah, the Christ. Though Herod was not himself a Jew he knew Jewish beliefs and customs rather well. The current messianic expectations of most Jews at that time was more for a political and military deliverer than a spiritual savior-an expectation apparently shared by Jesus’ own disciples (Acts 1:6).
THE CHIEF PRIESTS
All Jewish priests were of the priestly tribe of Levi and, even more particularly, descendants of Aaron, the first high priest. In some ways the priests were like the magi, having considerable political as well as religious power.
SCRIBES
The scribes were primarily Pharisees, authorities on Jewish law, scriptural and traditional, who were often referred to as lawyers.
Herod called together all of those Jewish religious leaders, who were both politicians and theologians, in order to inquire of them where the Christ was to be born (the imperfect tense of inquire suggests a constant asking). Although they proved that they knew where His birth was predicted to be (common knowledge among the Jews, John 7:42), they showed no belief or special interest in the announcement of the magi that they had seen the star given as a sign of that birth.
• A more troubling reaction to the reality of Christ at this time is indifference. Most of those who publically align themselves with a faith system at least show some defference to it, but this is the other end of the scale: indifference.
• Perhaps it is a story that has in some way become too familiar but not truly internalized. Perhaps it’s from distractions, like travel, shopping, bills and planning, that people come to this time of year with relief, where the person of Christ is the farthest thing from their minds. This is the danger of the response of Indifference.
In any case, the chief priests and scribes told Herod what he wanted to know, referring him to the specific passage (Mic. 5:2) where the birthplace is predicted. Out of Bethlehem would come forth a Ruler.
The last phrase, Who will shepherd My people Israel, is not from Micah, but does express the emphasis of One who would rule. Either the Jews said this or Matthew added the words as his own comment to indicate the kind of Ruler the Christ would be. Though the popular idea of a shepherd is that of kind, tender care (Ps. 23), the Scripture emphasis is also on authority and strong, even stern, leadership.
• The reality of Christ at this time is that the sentimentality surrounding Christmas cannot drown out the reality of the kingship of Christ.
• Unlike Luke, who focuses on the humanity of Christ, Matthew focused on Christ’s kingship. It is a striking thing that it is the failing depicted here of Israel’s leadership and the embracing of Gentile authority of Christ’s kingship. This would be most striking for Matthew’s primary Jewish audience.
We see in this account the three typical responses to Jesus Christ that people have made throughout history. Some, like Herod, are immediately hateful, wanting to know nothing of God’s way except how to attack and, if possible, destroy it. Others, like the chief priests and scribes, pay little if any attention to God and His way. They are those over whom Jeremiah heartbrokenly lamented, “Is it nothing to all you who pass this way?” (Lam. 1:12). What they know of God they do not accept or obey. At most, He is given lip service. Eventually, of course, this second group inevitably joins the first-because indifference to God is simply hatred that is concealed and rejection that is delayed.
Others, however, like the magi from the east, accept the Lord when He comes to them. They may have little of His light initially, but because they know it is His light, they believe, obey, and worship-and live.
After Herod received the information he wanted from the Jewish leaders, he summoned/called the magi/wise men secretly, and ascertained from them what time the star appeared. His concern was for the time of the star’s appearance, not its meaning or significance. It was enough for him to know only that the sign pointed to the birth of someone who could be a threat to his own power and position. The time of the star’s appearance would indicate the age of the child who had been born.
• A great danger this time of year is to pack the reality of Christ’s birth away like old wrapping paper and just focus on the time of the coming year. Only when the reality of Christ’s kingship is carried forward does this time make any sense.
Herod then instructed the magi to proceed with their mission and then report their findings to him as they returned home. He hypocritically gave them a good-sounding reason for wanting to know the exact location and identity of the Child-in order that I too may come and worship Him. His ultimate purpose, of course, was made clear by what he actually did. When the magi, again obedient to the Lord’s leading (2:12), did not report to Herod, he ordered his soldiers to slaughter every, male child in and around Bethlehem that was under two years of age (v. 16), in order to guarantee, he thought, the destruction of his rival newborn “King.”
We have seen: 1) Responding with Hostility (Herod) Matthew 2:1-3 2) Responding with Indifference (chief priests and scribes) Matthew 2:4-8 and finally:
3) Responding with Worship (Magi) (MATTHEW 2:9-12)
Matthew 2:9-12 [9]After listening to the king, they went on their way. And behold, the star that they had seen when it rose went before them until it came to rest over the place where the child was. [10]When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. [11]And going into the house they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh. [12]And being warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed to their own country by another way. (ESV)
Please turn to Exodus 40
We are not told what, if anything, the magi told Herod. They had no way of knowing his wicked intent. They proceeded to Bethlehem, not because of Herod’s instruction, but because at last they knew where to find the One they had come to worship. The Lord gave them even more specific help, leading them directly to Jesus. The star that they had seen when it rose went before them until it came to rest over the place where the child was. There is some reasonable speculation that the star was not a physical heavenly body evident from the fact that it was able to stand directly over the house where Jesus and His family now lived.
For obvious reasons it could not be possible for an actual star (cf. Ex. 40:34-38;). This is awfully similar to descriptions of God’s presence with His people in the Old Covenant:
Ex. 40:34-38; [34]Then the cloud covered the tent of meeting, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle. [35]And Moses was not able to enter the tent of meeting because the cloud settled on it, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle. [36]Throughout all their journeys, whenever the cloud was taken up from over the tabernacle, the people of Israel would set out. [37]But if the cloud was not taken up, then they did not set out till the day that it was taken up. [38]For the cloud of the LORD was on the tabernacle by day, and fire was in it by night, in the sight of all the house of Israel throughout all their journeys. (ESV)
This description of how the star functioned, is also like how God’s presence resided specifically in the tabernacle over the Arc of the Covenant:
Ezek. 10:4 [4]And the glory of the LORD went up from the cherub to the threshold of the house, and the house was filled with the cloud, and the court was filled with the brightness of the glory of the LORD. (ESV)
In Matthew 2:10, The magi were overwhelmed that the special star reappeared to them. It seems almost as if Matthew was at a loss for words to describe their ecstasy: And when they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. The original text piles up superlatives to emphasize the extent of exhilaration they felt, thus indicating to us their uniquely strong interest in this great event.
• It should be clearly evident, the great difference in approaching Christ in hatred, indifference or worship.
Joseph and his family were no longer in the stable but as Matthew 2:11 indicates, had found a house in which to live until the Lord told them where to go and what to do next. It was there that the magi found the One for whom they had so diligently searched, and at last they fell down and worshiped Him. In His wonderful grace God had led them to His Son and allowed them to see Him face to face.
Matthew is careful to say that the magi worshiped Him, that is, the Child paidion, Gk, who was no longer an infant brephos, Gk. They did not worship His mother. No doubt the magi were delighted to meet both Mary and Joseph, who had been so specially favored by God to be entrusted with caring for His own Son while He grew to manhood. But they worshiped only Jesus. Only He was God, and only He was worthy of adoration.
• Just look to the year end celebrity summaries and gossip to see what is the center of many people’s lives.
• Nothing and no one should compete for our worship, focus or adoration.
• The Magi who were great men, were not so lofty to recognize that nothing competes with King Jesus.
It was also to Him that they opened their treasures, offering him gifts of gold and frankincense and myrrh. Their giving was not so much an addition to their worship as an element of it. The gifts were an expression of worship, given out of the overflow of adoring and grateful hearts.
Right worship is always, and must be, the only basis for right giving and right learning and right service. Giving that is generous but done apart from a loving relationship with God is empty giving. People were surprised that we did not take a special Christmas eve offering. I mentioned that we come together as a people of God on Sunday to worship and give and offering unto God. Christmas Eve is more of a community celebration where we want to make it clear that we are here for Christ first and not money.
Learning that is orthodox and biblical but is learned apart from knowing and depending on the Source of truth, is empty knowledge, like that of the chief priests and scribes. Service that is demanding and sacrificial but done in the power of the flesh or for the praise of men is empty service.
What did the gifts say of the Magi’s heart?
Throughout history gold has been considered the most precious of metals and the universal symbol of material value and wealth. It was used extensively in the construction of the Temple (see 1 Kings 6-7, 9; 2 Chron. 2-4). It was also a symbol of nobility and royalty (see Gen. 41:4; 1 Kings 10:1-13; etc.).
Matthew continually presents Christ as the King, and here we see the King of the Jews, the King of kings, appropriately being presented with royal gifts of gold.
Illustration: The great British admiral Lord Nelson was known for treating vanquished opponents with courtesy and kindness. After one naval victory a defeated officer strode confidently across the quarterdeck of Nelson’s ship and offered the admiral his hand. With his own hand remaining at his side, Nelson replied, “Your sword first, sir, and then your hand.” Before we can be Christ’s friends, we must be His subjects. He must be our Lord before He can be our elder Brother.(MacArthur, J. F. (1985). The MacArthur New Testament Commentary. The MacArthur New Testament Commentary (Mt 2:1). Winona Lake, IN: BMH Books.)
Frankincense was a costly, beautiful-smelling incense that was used only for the most special of occasions. It was used in the grain offerings at the Tabernacle and Temple (Lev. 2:2, 15-16), in certain royal processions (Song of Sol. 3:6-7), and sometimes at weddings if it could be afforded.
Origen, the great church Father, suggested that frankincense was the incense of deity. In the Old Testament it was stored in a special chamber in front of the Temple and was sprinkled on certain offerings as a symbol of the people’s desire to please the Lord.
Myrrh was also a perfume, not quite so expensive as frankincense but nevertheless valuable. Some interpreters suggest that myrrh represents the gift for a mortal, emphasizing Jesus’ humanity. This perfume is mentioned often in Scripture, beginning in Genesis (37:25; 43:11). Mixed with wine it was also used as an anesthetic (Mark 15:23), and mixed with other spices it was used in preparation of bodies for burial, even Jesus’ body (John 19:39).
Those were the magi’s gifts to Jesus. Gold for His royalty, frankincense for His deity, and myrrh for His humanity.
We do not know what was done with the gifts, but it seems reasonable that they were used to finance the trip to Egypt and to help support the family while there (see Matt. 2:13-15).
There is a future implication prophesied in relation to the gifts:
Isaiah 60:6 [6]A multitude of camels shall cover you, the young camels of Midian and Ephah; all those from Sheba shall come. They shall bring gold and frankincense, and shall bring good news, the praises of the LORD. (ESV)
What gift is left out at His second coming? Myrrh! They do not bring myrrh because that speaks of His death. When He comes the second time, nothing will speak of His death. Gold speaks of His birth. He is born a King. Frankincense speaks of the fragrance of His life. Myrrh speaks of His death. All of this is indicated in the gifts that were brought to Him at His first coming.
But at His next coming, myrrh will not be brought to Him. The next time He comes, He won’t come to die upon a cross for the sins of the world. He will come as King of kings and Lord of lords.
Finally, in Matthew 2:12, with their mission of worship and adoration completed, the magi left Bethlehem. But being warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed to their own country by another way. No doubt they expected to hear at a later date the details of the life and accession to the throne of the Child born in Bethlehem.
The warning by God suggests that He was directly communicating with these men, and that their role in the whole event was by divine design. In fact, it may have been the same method, a dream, by which He originally brought them to Jerusalem in search of the King. The use of dreams as a means of divine communication is seen in Genesis 28:12; 31:11; Numbers 12:6; 1 Kings 3:5; and Job 33:14-16. Even the birth of Christ was accompanied by other special revelatory dreams (Matt. 1:20-23; 2:13, 19-20, 22).
• One of the most frequent ways we here of God communicating with people today, especially in Muslim countries, is through dreams. Since God is not the author of confusion, we will always see that this method is used to get attention but always consistent with God’s already revealed word in Scripture.
So the magi avoided Herod and traveled a homeward route that would allow them to escape his notice-a feat that was not simple, due to the nature and size of their entourage.
Scripture records nothing else about these unusual visitors from the east, but blessed and grateful as they were, they surely must have witnessed of the Messiah in their own country.
• Just as the Magi went another way after encountering Christ, no one who meets Christ with a sincere heart ever returns the same way. True encounter with Him transforms all of life.
When we come to the King, what is going to be our worship?
A traditional favorite at this time of year is the performing of George Fredrick Handel’s Hallelujah Chorus.
Illustration: 1872 Hallelujah Chorus’ Custom
On March 23, 1743, when “The Messiah” was first performed in London, the king was present in the great audience. It is reported that all were so deeply moved by the “Hallelujah Chorus” that with the impressive words, “For the Lord God omnipotent reigneth,” the whole audience, including the king sprang to its feet, and remained standing through the entire chorus. From that time to this it has always been the custom to stand during the chorus whenever it is performed. It has been said that: “With spontaneous joy the soul stands to salute Him who “cometh in the name of the Lord.” He is “King of kings, and Lord of lords” and to Him we pledge allegiance”.
(Tan, P. L. (1996, c1979). Encyclopedia of 7700 illustrations : A treasury of illustrations, anecdotes, facts and quotations for pastors, teachers and Christian workers. Garland TX: Bible Communications.)
