Three kinds people groups in the Society - Mt. 2:1-18
By Rev. Andrew B Natarajan
1. Wise men of the East (2:1-2,9-12)
The first groups represent the people who are half-baked. They trust in God and trust in self-search.
Basically self-satisfied, believe in reasons, knowledge, wisdom, understanding.People who always give importance to education, modernization, etc., they think that life can be saved, uplifted by knowledge. Their thinking is reasons, researches are never fails, they believe in library, discourses, discussions and deliberations. They think consultation, counselling, advice are need to be on the right track.
Our desires shape our personalities. The senses are constantly driving us to beautiful shapes, colors, sweet sounds, nice smells, flavorsome tastes, pleasant touches. There is a tug of war between our senses and mind-intellect. The mind carried away by the senses then the intellect too Whereas we must be controlled by the Spirit.
These wise men were from the east, they sought God by their own knowledge, the revelation about the birth of Christ came to them by a Star.
The star which appeared to the Magi did not belong to the heavenly system. It moved from north to south, these being the relative positions of Persia, whence the Magi came, and Judea, it appeared not only at night, but also at midday, it was visible at one time and hidden at another, its movement was not continuous, but when the Magi had to continue their journey the star moved on; when they had to stop the star stood still, it indicated the virginal Birth, not by remaining aloft, but by coming down below. "It seems that this was some invisible force made visible under the form of a star."
They found the baby and worshipped Him, presented to Him.
2. Power and Position lovers (2:3-8)
Herod the King of Judah was a man who represented the Power holder, position lovers. The psychology of the people who are in power is always want to safeguard the position, in order to do that they sometimes even take the side of the unjust, rich and office-bearers.
However, they always live under threat. Instead of enjoying the presence opportunities and giving way for the future generations, they always would like to hold it, even if they are unable to handle it.
Mathew Henry writes: “Though Herod was very old, and was not himself likely to live till a new-born infant had grown up to manhood, he began to be troubled with the dread of a rival. A man may be persuaded of many truths, and yet may hate them, because they interfere with his ambition, or sinful indulgences. Such a belief will make him uneasy, and the more resolved to oppose the truth and the cause of God”.
One young man went to Himalayas to become a sage but he was disturbed by a monkey so he wanted to do away with the monkey sought advice from a senior Sadhu. He told him to do one thing that is to keep make a hole in the rock put the nuts in the jar and do the rest according to the situation. He kept it and monkey puts its hand and never let it come out, never let it go, rather prepared to die”.
3. Weak People fight for survival (2:13-18)
Weak people are always fighting for their survival. Sometimes they flee away to save their own life. The beauty is that God is with them. Throughout the History of Israel God was with the weaker sections of the Society. His promises are for the poor, needy, downtrodden, and crushed in the spirit and body. Jesus went around and healed, preached about the same. His Nazareth Manifesto is nothing but Mission Statement for the Poor. Psalmist says God never reject the broken, those who cry for help, those who cry for justice.
Herod killed all the male children, not only in Bethlehem, but in all the villages of that District. It reflects the unbridled wrath, armed with an unlawful power, often carries men to absurd cruelties. It was no unrighteous thing with God to permit this; every life is forfeited to his justice as soon as it begins.
Dr. John Rosen, a psychiatrist in New York City, is well known for his work with catatonic schizophrenics. Normally doctors remain separate and aloof from their patients. Dr. Rosen moves into the ward with them. He places his bed among their beds. He lives the life they must live. Day-to-day, he shares it. He loves them. If they don’t talk, he doesn’t talk either. It is as if he understands what is happening. His being there, being with them, communicates something that they haven’t experienced in years — somebody understands.
But then he does something else. He puts his arms around them and hugs them. He holds these unattractive, unlovable, sometimes incontinent persons, and loves them back into life. Often, the first words they speak are simply, "Thank you."
This is what the Christ did for us at Christmas. He moved into the ward with us. He placed his bed among our beds. Those who were there, those who saw him, touched him and were in turn touched by him and restored to life. The first word they had to say was "thank you."
Christmas is our time to say "Thank you."
