SEEKING JESUS
“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” (Matt. 2:1-2 NKJV).
Here in Matt. 2:2, we have the wise men’s unexpected question – “Where is He who has been born King of the Jews?” At this time, the Jews were anxiously looking for the coming of the Messiah. And here you have these wise men showing up asking this all important question. How did the wise men know the King of the Jews had been born? The answer is not given, but we want to mention two significant facts:
They had a most unusual journey - they were guided by a star. Scholars are not certain what is meant by “His star?” However, Matt. 2:9 seems to indicate that it was some astronomical light. This much we know: whatever it was, it was miraculous.
It was a miracle in the sense that it appeared at the very time of Jesus’ birth.
It appeared to Gentile wise men far away in another nation.
It guided them to Jerusalem where they were to worship Jesus.
It appeared at the very time they were given knowledge of the newborn King.
It appeared again for the specific purpose of guiding them
They had a most significant purpose - their purpose was to worship the newborn King. These wise men had come to pay homage to a child whom they understood was to be King of the Jews. They expected what any foreigner would have expected: the child would be a son of the reigning king. Jesus, of course, was not. It was this fact that disturbed Herod so much. He concluded what any reigning monarch would - there was a movement to overthrow the throne.
Almost all the events surrounding the birth of Christ was unusual and totally unexpected. To name a few - there is the fact of Him being God’s very own Son, He was born of a virgin, He was born in a stable and angels announced Hs birth. The unexpected continues with the experience of the wise men. The wise men are a picture of those who seek Jesus. Unexpected things happens with those who seek Jesus. Because God is faithful, He will take the unexpected events and works them out for good (Rom. 8:28). God will lead a person to the Lord Jesus regardless of circumstances and events, expected or unexpected.
(Adapted from Butler Daily Bible Reading)
Soli Deo Gloria (To God Alone Be The Glory)
Quotation of the Week
“God uses unique methods to perform mighty miracles!”
Anonymous
Word Study
Wise men
In Matt. 2:1 we read, “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!” (NKJV)
Wise men is the Greek word magoi (μαγοι). They were men from the East (probably Persia) who were seeking truth. They were influential men of learning and authority. They were the skilled scientists of their day - skilled in philosophy, science, medicine, and astrology. It is thought that they were the priestly order of Persia, the ministers and advisors to the Persian rulers.
In Classical Greek, the word magoi is derived from the title given to the wise men or religious leaders of the Babylonians (Chaldeans), Medes, and Persians. The term subsequently came to be applied to those who claimed to possess or use supernatural knowledge and power, to all magicians, and then figuratively to those who deceived others with such claims. The Magi were originally a tribe of the Medes, a hereditary priesthood, who served as teachers, priests, physicians, astrologers, interpreters of dreams and prophets. They evolved into the ruling political body which controlled the choice of the Parthian king.
In the Septuagint use of magoi is limited almost exclusively to the Book of Daniel which records several instances where Babylonian kings called for both Daniel and the Magi to interpret dreams and visions (Daniel 1:20; 2:2,10,27; 5:7,11,15). Daniel’s wisdom was superior to that of the Magi with the result that he was elevated to the position of Rab-Mag, head of the Magi. In the New Testament, the use of the term magoi suggests a respected class of Middle Easterners who made a hazardous camels’ journey to find the Messiah and new King.
Prophecies Fulfilled by Jesus
Old Testament Prophecy – That He would be from the line of Abraham (Gen 17:7).
New Testament Fulfillment – Rom. 9:5; Gal. 3:16.
Bible Facts
According to Gal. 3:16, God made a promise to Abraham and his “Seed.” Jesus Christ is that “Seed.” The Lord Jesus Christ is the “Seed” who is to receive the promises made to Abraham. This is a phenomenal truth, and it means three significant things:
It means that the promises made to Abraham have passed down to Jesus Christ.
It means that believers, too, shall inherit the world and reign with Christ through all eternity
It means that faith is the way men become justified and acceptable to God
Bible Quiz
What Old Testament priest was told “you will be mute and not able to speak” until the birth of his son?
**Answer to last week’s trivia:Who said to Jesus, “Lord, I am not worthy that You should come under my roof. But only speak a word, and my servant will be healed.” A centurion (Matt. 8:8 NKJV).
That’s in the Bible
“Their name is legion”
"Then He asked him, what is your name? And he answered, saying, my name is Legion; for we are many!” (Mark 5:9 NKJV).
The phrase ‘their name is legion’ is often used to denote those whose accomplishments are legendary or famous. The word “legion” is currently used to describe a multitude or host, and this is how it is used in the Bible. In this account, the Lord Jesus cast out devils (demons) who called themselves “Legion” and sent them into a herd of swine. Does this mean that animals can be possessed? In this instance it does. The devil will most certainly use even animals for his purposes. However, the Lord Jesus came to destroy the power of the devil (Heb. 2:14).
Stories of Favorite Christmas Carols
O Little Town of Bethlehem
The writer of this carol was the influential American theologian of the Nineteenth Century, Bishop Phillips Brooks. Bishop Brooks wrote the beautiful words that we all know in 1868 in Philadelphia as he recalled a trip he had made to the Holy Land several years before. He gave a copy of the words to his organist, Lewis Redner, and requested him to compose a melody that would be easy for the children to sing. On the evening just before the program, Redner awakened suddenly from sleep with the present melody in his mind - he quickly wrote it out. “O Little Town of Bethlehem” has been a favorite with children and adults around the world since that time.
A Little Humor
A little boy came running home from Sunday school. He was so excited about learning about the Wise Men who brought gifts to the baby Jesus. He was so excited that he just had to tell his mother. He said, “I learned today in Sunday School all about the first Christmas. There wasn’t a Santa Claus way back then, so these three fellows on camels had to deliver all the toys. And Rudolph the Red-Nose Reindeer with his nose so bright wasn’t there so they had to have this big spotlight in the sky to find their way around.”
Thought Provoking Church Sign
“Religion is man trying to do something for God - salvation is God doing something for man!’”
