Matthew 2:1-12

Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the reign of King Herod. About that time some wise men from eastern lands arrived in Jerusalem, asking, 2 “Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We saw his star as it rose, and we have come to worship him.”

3 King Herod was deeply disturbed when he heard this, as was everyone in Jerusalem. 4 He called a meeting of the leading priests and teachers of religious law and asked, “Where is the Messiah supposed to be born?”

5 “In Bethlehem in Judea,” they said, “for this is what the prophet wrote:

6 ‘And you, O Bethlehem in the land of Judah,

are not least among the ruling cities of Judah,

for a ruler will come from you

who will be the shepherd for my people Israel.’”

7 Then Herod called for a private meeting with the wise men, and he learned from them the time when the star first appeared. 8 Then he told them, “Go to Bethlehem and search carefully for the child. And when you find him, come back and tell me so that I can go and worship him, too!”

9 After this interview the wise men went their way. And the star they had seen in the east guided them to Bethlehem. It went ahead of them and stopped over the place where the child was. 10 When they saw the star, they were filled with joy! 11 They entered the house and saw the child with his mother, Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasure chests and gave him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.

12 When it was time to leave, they returned to their own country by another route, for God had warned them in a dream not to return to Herod.

A bit of legend has grown up around this story but you will notice from the passage above (the only passage telling this story in the Bible) that it does not say there were three kings, nor that they were kings. We do not know how many there were. Three is sometimes assumed because of the three gifts mentioned. Magi were scholars cum priests from Persia or thereabouts.

What we do know is that they saw a particular star rise in the east and concluded from this heavenly portent that a king had been born. They were right. They travelled a huge distance and brought gifts.

But where was this king? Maybe it seemed natural to enquire of the incumbent king. Was this new king his son perhaps?

On the contrary, the mention of a new king greatly alarmed the vicious and despotic Herod. His mind went to the prophecies of a coming king but he had to consult his scholars to find out where the Messiah would be born. Why did he not know the prophecies himself?

Why would Herod immediately think of the Messiah? Did the star suggest someone far greater than any other mortal king?

But, if so, why would he be so quick to kill the long-promised Messiah? If he believed that the prophecies would be fulfilled, he must have believed that this was God's doing. Did he think he could foil God's plan? Did he fear God? Did he think about the consequences of so directly resisting God?

It did not take him long to devise a plan and lie about his intentions. The one thing he was determined not to do was worship this new king.

Of course, he could not defeat God. God simply told the magi to go home another way so as not to report back to Herod.

But Herod would still do his best to get rid of this rival king. We will read about that tomorrow.

Meanwhile the magi were led by the star to the very house where they would find Jesus with his mother and father. For them this was cause for great joy. We do not know how much they understood but they clearly were overjoyed to visit this child. They must have had a profound sense of the significance of this birth and the blessing it was for them to be there.

They bowed down before Jesus and they worshipped Him.

One of the most fundamental concepts of the Bible is that there is only one God and only He should be worshipped. Yet here the Bible approvingly reports the worship given to this baby. That can only mean that we are to understand Him to be God.

And these magi, important officials though they undoubtedly were, were humble enough to bow before a little child and to acknowledge Him as being infinitely more important that they were. For them it was a joy to worship Him.

Their gifts seem prophetic as well. Maybe they did know the Jewish scriptures and the significance of what they were part of. Maybe they were simply inspired by God to bring gifts that would be so appropriate: gold for a king, frankincense, a symbol of prayer and a gift for a priest, and myrrh, a burial ointment so appropriate for the One who would die for the sins of the world.

For Reflection

1. What is it about these magi that you most admire?

2. What do you think their actions say about Jesus?

Make a special, little, inexpensive but thoughful gift for someone you love.

Dear Father, we thank you that the magi got so much right - their recognition and worship of Jesus, their willingness to pay the price of travel and inconvenience, their generosity, their willingness perhaps to risk their own lives rather than betray Him. Please help us to whole-heartedly do the same things.

In Jesus' name, amen.