Regardless of their true identity, the Magi came for one reason: to pay homage to a new king – one with religious significance. Herod the king, who usurped power and authority through Roman backing, was shocked. A new king? Was this king really of the lineage of David? Oh the questions Herod must have had. But what surprised me the most were the words in verse 3, “and all Jerusalem with him.” I have read this passage dozens of times and this is the first time these words jumped out at me.
Why were the people of Jerusalem “disturbed”? The commentaries suggest that the people were afraid of his rage. How would he react? Would they be threatened by his insecurities? Would they face retribution if Herod heard of any commotions about installing the rightful heir to David’s throne? I see the truth in this just from reading how Herod acts in the next reading text – Herod would stop at nothing to keep his power.
This is a sad commentary about the state of the Jewish people. Prophecy was being fulfilled, and they were afraid of their government. They were powerless or should I say helpless. What could an infant do to help take away this feeling of despair? What can any one person do to bring change when change is needed?
Herod wasn’t a total fool. He knew the Magi were in search of the Messiah – the Christ. A ruler or shepherd of the people to arise out of Bethlehem was the prophecy. How much hope would begin to resonate within the people as they passed along the word of the Messiah. Herod assembled his think tank to find out more. Hearing enough, Herod called the Magi to a private meeting. He asks them to discreetly report back to him the whereabouts of this new king so he too could go and “worship”.
Delighted, the Magi continued on their journey. Having gone to Jerusalem to find the king was an obvious choice. Where else would the king of the Jews reside after his birth? But now they traveled south to the small town of Bethlehem, and they are led by the same star that beckoned them on their journey. I wonder if the star they saw was the guiding light of an angel.
Having found the child (he may have been as old as four by the time they found him), the Magi presented to him gifts of gold, of myrrh, and of incense. How fitting. The family would soon be fleeing to Egypt as their ancestors had once done, and God provides traveling expenses. Here the Magi exit from the story as mysteriously as they appeared except for the one note of warning they receive in a dream – do not return to Herod. So they went home another route.
What can we take away from this reading?
- God does everything He can to draw our attention to Him. Some people respond positively, others look away confused, and still others try to destroy any means of God’s approach towards mankind.
- God’s plans never fail and are always fulfilled. The government may try to take away one’s right to religious gatherings but God is not just in the gathering but also the heart. God is revealed in the active use of the Spirit’s fruit not in the actions of the vindictive.
- God speaks to us through many means – dreams, other people, and His Word to name a few.
God loves us and has done everything necessary to provide a path to relationship with Him. We must respond. God’s plans will carry on with or without us, and I don’t like being left out of anything He plans because He plans bigger than I do. God still speaks today. His voice did not end with the last of the apostles. He still speaks, but are we going to “be still” long enough to listen?
- How is God speaking to you today? Are you listening?
- What plans of God have you put off? How can you get or remain involved?
- How are you responding to the gentle nudges God uses to get your attention? How is your relationship with God?
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