“The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shone.”  Isaiah 9:2

Let’s take a look at several groups of people who were part of the birth of Christ as written in Matthew 2.  They included the Wise Men, Herod, the religious leaders and the people of Jerusalem.

Who were these mysterious Wise Men and what would compel them to drop their study of astronomy, pack up their camels and follow a star to an unknown town in Israel?  According to the ancient historian Herodotus, the Magi were a tribe of hereditary priests, somewhat like the Levites in Israel.  They were selected to function as priests in their pagan rituals.  They were men of prominence, key people of enormous political power who were advisors to royalty.  In the East, they earned the reputation of being “wise men.”  The only people more powerful than “wise men” were the kings whom they themselves crowned.  For this they were known as “king makers.” What would compel these powerful men to follow a “star?”  Did they recognize something they could not conjure up?  It’s not a stretch to assume the Wise Men knew and believed the prophecies predicting a Jewish King who would rule the world.  Isaiah wrote: “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders.  And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.  Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end,” Isaiah 9:6-7.

Imagine the concern of Herod when the Wise Men appeared at the gates of Jerusalem!  They would have been accompanied by a detachment of soldiers and a company of people.  The powerful “king makers” had followed a star in the direction of Judea, looking for the child who was born “King of the Jews.”  Herod was an Edomite, a descendant of Esau, not Jewish at all, so it couldn’t be him!  Would he be dethroned?  Yes, Herod was troubled.  “When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him,” Matthew 2:3.  

Why were the people afraid?  They were understandably afraid of Herod who had a reputation as a ruthless ruler.  But, the religious leaders who should have been aware of the prophecies kept them in fear and darkness, and there the people remained.  Jesus was not the sort of King they wanted.  Their desires were too small!  They wanted the temporary peace of this earthly life more than eternal peace offered in Christ.  “The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world.  He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him.  He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him,” John 1:9-11.

 Think about this:  God could have told Mary and Joseph to go directly to Bethlehem, instead he used Caesar Augustus, Herod, the Wise Men and a star to show that even as a newborn baby, Jesus was in sovereign control over the powers of the universe!  The great men and the powers of darkness were already under the heel of the tiny infant King! What an amazing thought!!

The Magi were seeking God, and God was seeking them! God is seeking you, too, my friend!  “For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost,” Luke 19:10.     

Your friend, Jean

(taken from a sermon by Mark Priestap)