Matthew 2:1-8

Christmas Story Continued.

Matthew 2: 1-8
"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."  When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born.  So they said to him, "In Bethlehem of Judea, for thus it is written by the prophet; 'But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, Are not the least among the rulers of Judah; For out of you shall come a Ruler Who will shepherd My people Israel.' Then Herod, when he had secretly called the wise men, determined from them what time the star appeared.  And he sent them to Bethlehem and said, 'Go and search carefully for the young Child, and when you have found Him, bring back word to me, that I may come and worship Him also.'"


In looking up the relevance in these verses of the Christmas story.  It is interesting to note the historical significance of the characters- King Herod was a influential king of his time.  Wanting to be known as "Herod the Great" appointed by Roman authorities and, although he himself was not Jewish, worked very  hard to ally himself with the Jewish people.  Also interesting to note, the wise men were not Jewish but were looking for a messiah to bring peace to the earth, and their studies led them to the star of David.  I like to think that these are the first Gentiles to learn about and follow Jesus-setting the stage for us to show that Jesus, although came to save the Jewish people from their sins, that He is even bigger than that and came for all people of the world.  It is an interesting mix of religion, politics, culture, and human emotions that lead the events in the early years of Jesus' life, and along the way, fulfilling the Old Testament prophesy.

Prophesy fulfilled: Micah 5:2 "But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, Though you are little among the thousands of Judah, Yet out of you shall come forth to Me The One to be Ruler in Israel, Whose goings forth are from of old, From everlasting."