WHERE IS HE THAT IS BORN KING?
Matthew 2:1-12.
MATTHEW 2:1. This verse simply states that “when Jesus was born in Bethlehem” there came “wise men from the east to Jerusalem.”
MATTHEW 2:2. The visitors were forthright. They were come seeking the one “born King of the Jews.” It is unusual for somebody to be born already possessing the title of “King” – but this was the case with Jesus. And they were come to “worship” Him.
They had been following His “star” which they saw “at its rising” (more usually translated “in the East”). And they sought Him first at Jerusalem.
These sage travellers were no doubt aware of the expectation of the nations (Haggai 2:7), that One was to be born in Israel who would be a King of universal significance to the whole of mankind (Numbers 24:17). They had the faith to believe that they were following His star, but when they drew near Jerusalem (where they expected Him to be born, in the king’s palace) they seem to have lost sight of the star.
MATTHEW 2:3-4. The reaction of King Herod was natural enough. A rival King could mean trouble. The whole City was infected with his agitation. Herod gathered the chief priests and scribes to him, and “demanded of them where Christ should be born.”
MATTHEW 2:5-6. The chief priests and scribes in Jerusalem, quoting Micah 5:2, acknowledged that the ultimate Ruler, the Messiah/Christ/Anointed One was to be born in Bethlehem. But, unlike these strangers from the East, they did not care enough to check out the rumour of His birth. They might well be proud of their head-knowledge of Scripture, but it did not serve them well if it did not bring them to the feet of Jesus. Wise men still seek Him.
MATTHEW 2:7-8. This could have been the beginning of a happy new year in the life of Herod, but his motives were wrong, and he was not altered by what he learned. Herod next secretly called the wise men to himself, and determined what he needed to know from them. But, even as he sent them to Bethlehem, Herod had no intention of worshipping Jesus (cf. Matthew 2:16).
MATTHEW 2:9. ‘Bad company corrupts good manners’ (cf. 1 Corinthians 15:33), and it was not until the wise men left the duplicitous Herod that they could truly resume their quest. When the Magi left Jerusalem, they again saw the star which they had seen at its rising, and followed it to the place where it appeared to stop (as seen from the perspective of people standing upon the surface of the earth).
MATTHEW 2:10. In an example to all who will follow, the wise men sought Jesus. The wise men followed what light they had: the star in the East. Where their light stopped, they rejoiced, because now the true Light would be revealed.
MATTHEW 2:11. When they found Him, they worshipped the young child, and offered symbolic gifts. They offered gold for one born King; the best of incense for a Priest offering prayers before God for the people; myrrh for embalming one born to die for His people.
Whoever they were, wherever they came from, they represented all the Gentile nations. They represented all who would genuinely believe in Jesus, from both near and far. The wise men represent all who will seek Jesus, not only from the east, but from all over the globe.
MATTHEW 2:12. And as they left that peaceful scene, they listened to God: for all would not be peaceful for long.
Wise men still listen to God. Wise men still seek Jesus.
