Seeking God’s King

Seeking God’s King

Matthew 2:1-6, 9-11, NLT

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.” 3King Herod was deeply disturbed when he heard this, as was everyone in Jerusalem. 4He 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.’” . . . 9The 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. 10When they saw the star, they were filled with joy! 11They 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.

Setting the Scene

Several years passed between the events of Luke 2:38 and 39. During that time, Mary and Joseph found a place to live in Bethlehem, fled to Egypt to escape King Herod (Matthew 2:1-18), and returned to Nazareth after Herod’s death (Matthew 2:19-23). Their flight to Egypt was precipitated by the arrival of wise men seeking “the newborn king of the Jews,” which led to Herod’s jealous rage.

The wise men seem to have specialized in astronomy, but they may have interpreted dreams and had other special knowledge and abilities. They referred to Jesus’ “star.” Numbers 24:17 mentions a “star” coming out of Jacob, but how would the wise men have known that the star represented the Messiah? Perhaps they were descendants of Jews who had remained in Babylon after the Exile and thus grew up knowing the Old Testament prophecies. Or they may have studied ancient manuscripts. Or perhaps God had given them a special message. In any case, they traveled to Jerusalem, the capital city, expecting to find a young king there. Herod had no idea what they were talking about but felt threatened by this talk of a “king.” So he assembled the Jewish religious leaders and asked them.

Interestingly, the Jewish leaders told Herod and the wise men that the Messiah would be born in Bethlehem (see Micah 5:2), but they didn’t go themselves. These visitors from faraway lands recognized Jesus as the Messiah when most of God’s chosen people in Israel did not.

The wise men traveled thousands of miles searching for the one who had been born King of the Jews. And when they found him, they joyfully worshiped him and presented gifts fit for a king.

Getting Personal

What was your “star”—that is, what did God use to lead you to Jesus?

In what ways do you bow before your Savior? What gifts do you bring him?

God leads us to him through the Holy Spirit working in us and through choice relationships and circumstances. Wise people follow God’s lead and find the Savior with great joy.

Talking to God

Thank God for the ways he draws you to himself. Ask him to show you how to use your gifts for his glory and service.