The Star of Bethlehem
After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi [wise men] from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, ‘Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him’” (Matthew 2:1, 2).
These Wise Men were philosophers and scholars. They were some of the most wealthy and best-educated people of their land. Some of their fellow magi were little more than magicians who fooled naive people for their own profit, but these men were honoured for their wisdom, kindness and integrity.
As they studied to understand the stars of the heavens, they were impressed that a mighty Creator must exist. Wanting to know more, they studied the Hebrew Scriptures.
When they read the Scriptures (the Old Testament) the Wise Men found promises of the Messiah. To their joy, they determined that His coming was near and that it would change the world with a new understanding of God.
They had seen a mysterious light in the heavens on the night that God’s glory had flooded the hills around Bethlehem. And as that light faded, a bright star appeared. It was not a star or a planet, but it remained visible in the same spot each night. This “star” was actually a company of brilliantly shining angels, but the Wise Men didn’t know that. It did seem that the star had a special meaning for them. They spoke to priests and philosophers and searched the oldest scrolls in the land.
One—Balaam’s “oracle” or prophecy, contained in the book of Numbers—said, “A star will come out of Jacob; a sceptre [ruler] will rise out of Israel” (24:17).
Was the strange star a sign that the Promised One had arrive? These Wise Men believed the truth when they discovered it. Now God rewarded them. In a dream they were told to go and find the newborn Prince.
Following the star meant that the Wise Men had to travel at night. The star was a visible sign to follow, but their hearts carried the message just as strongly. Because it was their custom to give gifts to newborn royalty, they took with them the most valuable things they owned. The richest treasures of their land were brought as an offering to the One who would bless every family on earth.
Finally they arrived in Israel. As they walked down the Mount of Olives toward Jerusalem, the star stopped above the temple, then slowly faded from view. The Wise Men hurried on, certain that everyone they met would be talking about the Messiah’s birth. But when they asked, no-one knew anything of what they were asking; no-one knew anything about a newborn king.
The priests—the teachers of Scripture and prophecy—had no interest in their questions. These priests looked down on them as heathen—non-Jews who were no better than the Romans, but in God’s eyes, the Wise Men stood closer to heaven than the tradition-bound priests.
News of their arrival spread. Their strange search created a stir of excitement that reached all the way to King Herod’s palace. The talk of a new king concerned Herod. Being a foreigner in Israel, he knew he was hated by the people he ruled. His only security was the Romans. A new prince born in the kingdom would have a stronger claim to the throne.
Herod suspected that the priests were plotting with the strangers to stir up the people and throw him off the throne by force. He said nothing of his suspicions, though. Instead he called the priests to his palace and questioned them about the prophecies. [See “Predictions of Jesus’ birth” ] He said he wanted to know what they said about where this Messiah would be born.
The Messiah will be born “‘in Bethlehem in Judea,’ they replied, ‘for this is what the prophet [Micah] has written: “But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for out of you will come a ruler who will be the shepherd of my people Israel”’” (Matthew 2:5, 6).
Hearing this, Herod then met privately with the Wise Men. Inside he was boiling with anger and fear, but his face was calm. Politely he asked when the star had appeared. He acted joyful to hear the news of the Messiah’s birth. “Go and make a careful search for the child,” he said. “As soon as you find him, report to me, so that I too may go and worship him” (verse 8). Herod then sent them on their way to Bethlehem.
Night was falling as the Wise Men rode alone out through the gates of Jerusalem. Unlike the shepherds, angels had not directed them to the baby King. But now to their great joy, the star appeared again and led the way.
In the tiny town, they found no royal King. They found no scholars, no priests or prime ministers. Only a baby, cradled in a manger, and His simple peasant parents.
Could this really be the One of whom the Scriptures spoke? Could this be the One who would raise the nation of Israel?
“On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshipped him” (verse 11). Beneath the appearance of a small helpless baby, they recognised the presence of God. With remarkable faith, they knelt and gave their hearts to their Saviour, then laid their gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh at His feet.
With their journey complete, the Wise Men prepared to return to King Herod in Jerusalem and tell him what they had seen. They didn’t know that he intended to harm the baby. But in a dream, they were told to avoid King Herod, so they took a different route home.
Joseph had a similar dream warning him to leave Bethlehem and take his family to Egypt. “Herod is going to search for the child to kill him,” an angel said. “Stay there until I tell you [to return]” (verse 13).
Leaving after dark for greater safety—Joseph wasted no time getting his family out of town and to safety.
God used the Wise Men to draw the attention of the Jews to the birth of His Son. When Herod tried to kill the baby Jesus, God gave Joseph, Mary and the baby Jesus a hiding place in Egypt. And it was the gifts of the Wise Men that paid for the journey and their expenses while they were there, preserving Him until He accomplished His mission on earth—until He was killed by the ones He came to save.
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This is an extract from December 2003
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