Over the last few weeks, we have been looking at the importance of signs that God often puts in front of His people to give direction or to show a change in seasons. In this final part, I want to look at one of the most incredible signs that directed a group of noble seekers to the Christ-child, the “Star of Bethlehem”.
The Star of Bethlehem, or Christmas Star, appears in the nativity story of the Gospel of Matthew where "wise men from the East" (Magi) are inspired by the star to travel to Jerusalem. There, they meet King Herod of Judea, and ask him:
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.
Herod calls together his scribes and priests who, quoting a verse from the Book of Micah, interpret it as a prophecy that the Jewish Messiah would be born in Bethlehem to the south of Jerusalem. Secretly intending to find and kill the Messiah to preserve his own kingship, Herod invites the wise men to return to him on their way home.
The star leads them to Jesus' Bethlehem birthplace, where they worship him and give him gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. The wise men are then given a divine warning not to return to Herod, so they return home by a different route.
Many Christians believe the star was a miraculous sign. Some theologians claimed that the star fulfilled a prophecy, known as the Star Prophecy. Astronomers have made several attempts to link the star to unusual celestial events, such as a conjunction of Jupiter and Saturn or Jupiter and Venus, a comet, or a supernova. Some also suggest that the star was an angel that led them since angels are called “stars” in other portions of scripture. However, since the word “magi” is often translated as “astronomer”, this star was more than likely a celestial event.
The “Magi” find their origin back in the ancient Babylonian Empire, Their soothsaying often rivaled Daniel and his friends in both wisdom and revelation. However, the very fact that these “astronomers” came from the east reveals the fact that Daniel had great impact on the “Magi”. Instead of being mired in occultic practice, they became seekers of the “King of Kings”.
Christmas tradition has the three wise men visiting the baby Jesus on the same night He was born. However, the scripture alludes to the idea that Jesus might have been as old as 2 years by the time Maji found Him. Let’s examine the scriptural narrative as found in the book of Matthew 2:1-12 (ESV)
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, 2 saying, “Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.” 3 When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him; 4 and assembling all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. 5 They told him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for so it is written by the prophet:
6 “‘And you, O Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,
are by no means least among the rulers of Judah;
for from you shall come a ruler
who will shepherd my people Israel.’”7 Then Herod summoned the wise men secretly and ascertained from them what time the star had appeared. 8 And he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, “Go and search diligently for the child, and when you have found him, bring me word, that I too may come and worship him.” 9 After listening to the king, they went on their way. And behold, the star that they had seen when it rose went before them until it came to rest over the place where the child was.10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy.11 And going into the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh.12 And being warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed to their own country by another way.
A few things strike me about this narrative; the first is that response of Herod. He sounded interested but was threatened by another King being born. Herod was so insecure; he had had several of his own sons murdered so they could not succeed him. It’s not surprising then that he would have all the male babies, 2 years and under killed by his soldiers. It also says that “all Jerusalem was troubled”. This perhaps means that there were a large contingent of “magi” or that Herod’s anger stirred that whole city of Jerusalem. Secondly, the reaction of the scribes and pharisees is interesting. They obviously knew the scripture but were not looking for or seeking the Messiah at all. There is no mention of them being interested in pursuing this event to see of the Messiah and indeed been born.
Just like today, there is no difference between the church and the world where there no interest in seeking or pursuing Jesus. They are either filled with pride or tradition. Most people today love the tradition of Christmas but have no interest in seeking for Him.
On the other hand, the “Magi” had studied the ancient scriptures, the star charts and then began a journey perhaps years earlier which led them to the very one they were seeking, Jesus. This so reminds me of a verse written by one of the prophets in Jeremiah 29:13 (ESV).
“You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart.”
Don’t let pride, ambition or tradition keep you from pursuing Jesus. If you seek Him, you will find Him when you seek Him with all your heart. He will be the greatest gift, you ever find. Merry Christmas!!!