The Adoration of Baby Jesus
Matthew 2:1-12
If Jesus was the promised Messiah one might expect that He would be received with all the ceremony possible, that crowns and scepters would be laid at his feet, and that the high and mighty princes of the world would humble themselves and bow before Him as His humble servants. This didn’t happen. The first to witness the birth of Jesus were the shepherds (Luke 2:15). They were the first to hear the glorious things concerning Him. They were the first to worship Him and announce His birth. After that, Simeon and Anna spoke of Him, by the Spirit, to all that were willing to listen to what they had to say. The testimony of the shepherds, Simeon, and Anna should have been enough to convince the men of Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem Jesus was the long looked for Messiah, but it wasn’t.
The magi came to Jerusalem because they had seen an extraordinary star that they believed was a sign of the birth of an extraordinary person in the land of Judea. They didn’t ask if the King of Jews had been born. They asked where He was born. There was no doubt in their minds the Messiah the Jews were expecting was born. They came to Jerusalem expecting to see Him. They no doubt expected to see the people celebrating the birth of their King and worshipping Him. What they expected is not what they found.
When Herod heard the magi were looking for the Messiah he was troubled. Although Herod was troubled it seems like the natural thing for the people was to rejoice because they had heard the promised Messiah has come to establish His kingdom. But they weren’t. Matthew tells us Herod was not the only one troubled. He said, “All Jerusalem” was troubled. Why were the people troubled? It is easy to understand why Herod would be troubled. He knew what the consequences of the birth of the King of Jews would be. It is difficult to understand why the people were troubled. It is possible the reason they were troubled was their knowledge of the character of Herod. He was a cruel man who didn’t hesitate to kill anyone who was a threat to him.
It was generally known that the Messiah was to be born in Bethlehem of Judah. But Herod was not content with what was believed about the birthplace of the Messiah. He called together the chief priests and scribes and asked them where the Messiah was to be born. They told him, “it is written by the prophet; And you, Bethlehem, land of Judah, are by no means least among the leaders of Judah; for out of you shall come forth a ruler who will shepherd My people Israel” (Micah 5:2). Bethlehem was the city of David and David the glory of Bethlehem, therefore, David’s son and successor must be born in Bethlehem.
It is interesting how Matthew brings together the information concerning the birth of Jesus. The Gentiles know the time of His birth by a star; the Jews knew the place of it by the scriptures. It would contribute much to the increase of knowledge about Jesus and His purpose for coming to this world, if we shared what we know about Jesus who Jesus is with those who don’t know who Jesus is.
The reason the magi were seeking the birth place of the Messiah was to worship Him. Herod’s reason for wanting to know the birth place of the Messiah was hidden by his claim he wanted to worship the new born king. He was now an old man, and had reigned thirty-five years; this king the magi were seeking was baby, and not likely to be a threat to the reign of Herod. But Herod was a jealous man, like all heads of kingdoms and nations he could not picture a successor of his throne, much less a rival. He came to the conclusion there was only one thing he could do. He must kill this supposed threat. Nothing less will satisfy him. The evil heart of Herod blinded him to the fact if this child is the Messiah, in opposing him, or making any attempts upon him, he would be fighting against God and there is nothing vainer, nothing more dangerous.
The cunningness of Herod is revealed in his secretly calling the magi together and sending them to find the child. He would not openly admit his fears and jealousies. It would be a sign of weakness to let the people know them. So that the magi would not be suspicious of his true purpose for knowing where the new born king was, he covered it with a show of religion. The greatest wickedness that can be done is often concealed under a mask of religion. In the reign of terror in the world today Satan is hiding it under the guise of religion. He is using it to establish his demonic religion in the world and seat his demonic son on the throne of David.
It is also interesting how Herod trusted the magi and did not send the chief priests or the scribes who were loyal to him to find where this new born King was. He could have sent spies to follow the magi, who could kill the Child as the magi worshipped Him. He didn’t. Why didn’t he do this? It is amazing how God can hide from the eyes of His enemies those methods by which they might easily destroy His people. His only begotten Son will not suffer death by the hands of man before it is the fullness of time. Man may do his best to turn history from the course God has set but their efforts will fail. The King of kings, Lord of lords is coming to deliver His people from the hands of the evil that exists in this world and no political or religious movement will hinder His coming to rule over the kingdom that was given to Him before the creation of the heavens and earth.
When the magi left Jerusalem they went alone. No one from Herod’s court, the temple, or city went with them. There was no one in Jerusalem that would go with the magi to welcome Jesus into this world. The don’t care altitude of the Jews, finding Jesus neglected by His kinsmen, alone with His parents may have been discouragement to the magi but they would not let the climate of the day discourage them. Like the magi we must worship Jesus though we are alone in it. Whatever others do, we must serve the Lord. If they will not go to heaven with us, we must not go to hell with them.
God graciously directed the magi to the place where the new born King was. They were led to Jerusalem where they might inquire where the new born King was born and might be living. In Jerusalem the magi used the natural method for their seeking Jesus. In our seeking Jesus we must never expect extraordinary help when there are ordinary means to direct us to the right paths. When the magi had gone as far as they could go by ordinary means God intervened. The star that announced the birth of the Son of God in the east led them to a house where they found “the Child with Mary His mother.”
When we do all we can do in God’s plan for our lives, God will direct and enable us to do what we can not do for ourselves. Those who follow God in the dark find the light which will light their way. In their journey from Egypt to the Promised Land the Lord led Israel by a pillar of fire and a cloud. The magi were led by a star to the promised Seed. The star was evidence of God’s presence with them as the pillar of fire and the cloud was evidence God was with the Israelites. If we by faith see God in all our situations He will send whatever we might need to reveal His presence with us.
When the magi saw the star over the place where the Child was they knew they were not deceived, and had not taken this long journey in vain. Now they were sure that God was with them. Their hearts were filled with joy and they fell to the ground and worshipped the new born King and gave Him gifts. Now they could laugh at the Jews in Jerusalem, who, probably, had laughed at them for coming on what they thought was a fool’s errand. God fills the hearts of the faithful when they are ready to rejoice in the righteous work of the Lord. When we see Jesus in all His glory we will know we were not deceived as the world claims and our hearts will be filled with joy. All the tests and trials of this life will be over and we will be forever with our Savior and Lord. Truly that will be a glorious day.
The magi didn’t honor Herod who was at the height of his reign as they did this new born King. They extended to him the respect that is due a king, but they didn’t worship or give him gifts. But to Jesus they gave Him this honor, not only as a king but as God. In the eastern nations, when the people did homage to their kings, they gave them presents. The gifts they presented to Jesus were gold, frankincense, and myrrh the gifts given to Eastern kings. The early church Fathers understood the gold to be symbolic of Jesus’ deity, the frankincense His purity, and the myrrh His death, because myrrh was used in embalming.
In this present age the best gifts we can give Jesus are those things that are the dearest and most valuable to us. But our gifts to Him and for Him are not accepted, unless we first present ourselves to Him as living sacrifices.
