THURSDAY December 29, 2022

Follow His Star

Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, saying, “Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the East and have come to worship Him.”
Matthew 2:1-2

Wise men, Magi, studied the stars using the natural science of astronomy. They had seen a wondrous sign, the star of a King, and they decided to follow its path into Judea. There were not only three wise men, as most people believe. Magi often traveled with a large caravan of people for security. Once the wise men arrived, they began to inquire among the people in Judea: “Where is He who has been born King of the Jews?” With all sincerity, these Magi had come to worship the newborn King.

Herod, the King of Judea, was greatly troubled when he heard the news of a newborn King in the region he ruled. Filled with troubled thoughts, he decided to inquire where the Christ was to be born. He gathered all the chief priests and scribes, and they told Herod what the Old Testament Scriptures revealed: “ ‘But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are not least among the rulers of Judah; for out of you shall come a Ruler who will shepherd My people Israel’ ” (Matthew 2:6).

Threatened by the birth of a new King, Herod secretly spoke with the wise men and questioned them about the time when the star appeared. As sly as a fox, he requested they bring back word to him when they found the Child, as he, too, wanted to worship Him (Matthew 2:7-8), but he only sought to destroy the Child.

The star continued to light the way for the Magi to find the newborn King. It remained over the house where the young Child was to be found. Their long journey was rewarded. When they entered the house, they fell down and worshiped Jesus. The wise men gave gifts of gold, representing His royalty, expensive frankincense, which recognized his deity, and myrrh, which related to His humanity and His coming death (Matthew 2:9-11).

Jesus called Christians the light of the world (Matthew 5:14-16). Let your light shine so that others can find the way to Christ.

The believer is appointed to be a lighthouse to others, a cheering lamp, and a guiding star.
~C.H. Spurgeon~

For more from Raul Ries, please visit SomebodyLovesYou.com!