“Where is the One who has been born King of the Jews? We saw His star in the east and have come to worship Him.” Matthew 2:2
When we think of the birth of Jesus, our minds turn to a baby in a manger, Mary, Joseph, angels, shepherds and barnyard animals. But what about the other players in this Christmas story? There were three other groups of people represented in Israel at that time, just as there are represented in our world today.
First of all, there was Herod. The Roman Senate named him “King of the Jews,” but Herod was neither a Jew by birth or religion. He was a wicked man who ruled Israel for 41 years. He brutally removed anyone who got in his way, including those close to him. To hold the reins of power, he killed his brother-in-law, his mother-in-law, his wife and later his two sons. It was said of him, “It is safer to be Herod’s pig than his son.”
Enter: the Wise Men! Herod is an old man dying a slow painful death and rapidly losing his mind. Word comes to him in Jerusalem some visitors have arrived from the East, strange men asking peculiar questions. They are Magi, the Wise Men from the East. We don’t know for sure whether they came from Persia or China. The important thing was what they asked. “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him.” Matthew 2:2. What was this “star” they saw in the sky? Herod didn’t know, so he called the religious leaders and scribes. They knew God would send a Messiah, the One who would save them and reign as King, but they weren’t seriously looking. They told the Wise Men, “In Bethlehem in Judea, for this is what the prophet has written: ‘But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah, for out of you will come a ruler who will be the shepherd of my people Israel.’” Matthew 2:4-6. The religious leaders knew where to look, but didn’t care enough to investigate for themselves. Bethlehem was only six miles from Jerusalem, an easy walk, they knew the scriptures, but did nothing.
The Wise Men knew something Herod never knew—that little baby, born in a stable, wrapped in rags would someday rule the world! Good news!! They were not ashamed to give Him gifts fit for a king. The star appeared and led them to the exact house. When they found the child Jesus, they bowed down and worshiped Him, offering Him gold, frankincense and myrrh. They were “pagans” who recognized Jesus for who He was!
In our world today, the spirit of Herod lives on represented by those who oppose spiritual truth and want every trace of Christmas erased from public life. They want every mention of the Bible and the name of Jesus removed from governments across our land. Herod would be proud of them! Then there are the indifferent people, represented by the scribes and religious leaders. They know the truth, but do nothing about it. The third group is the Wise Men. They hear the message that Jesus “Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that He was buried, that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures.” 1 Corinthians 15:3-4. They receive it gladly!
These three responses picture the different ways people respond to Jesus Christ today. Some are hostile, some indifferent, and some will worship Him. Sometimes all three are represented in one family; or you will see all three responses in your workplace. After 2,000 years, Herod has many grandchildren, the scribes are still too busy to go to “Bethlehem,” and wise men still seek Him!
Your friend, Jean