Wise Men From The East Come To Honor Jesus Matthew 2 1-12

 WISE MEN FROM THE EAST COME TO HONOR JESUS

MATTHEW 2:1-12

The Journey Of The Wise Men (or Magi) From The East Who Came To Honor The Newborn Jesus.

Their Story Is Rich With Symbolism And Significant Insights Into The Nature Of Jesus' Birth And The Reactions It Provoked.

Key Takeaways:

1. The Wise Men And Their Journey:

   • The Wise Men Were Not Kings But Scholars Or Astronomers, Possibly From Regions Like Persia Or Babylon. Their Journey To Find The "King Of The Jews" Was Likely Inspired By Their Knowledge Of Jewish Prophecies, As Well As Celestial Phenomena They Interpreted As A Sign.

   • Their Journey Emphasizes The Idea That Jesus' Birth Had A Global Impact, Drawing People From Distant Lands To Recognize His Significance.

2. Herod's Reaction:

   • Herod The Great, A Ruler Known For His Cruelty, Was Deeply Troubled By The News Of A Newborn "King Of The Jews." His Reaction Was One Of Fear And Paranoia, As He Saw This As A Threat To His Power.

   • The Fact That "all Jerusalem" Was Troubled With Him Suggests The City's Awareness Of Herod's Violent Tendencies And The Potential Chaos His Insecurity Could Cause.

3. The Star And The Prophecy:

   • The Star That Guided The Wise Men Is A Subject Of Much Speculation. It Could Have Been A Natural Astronomical Event Or A Supernatural Sign Specifically Created By God.

   • The Prophecy From Micah 5:2, Quoted By The Chief Priests And Scribes, Pointed To Bethlehem As The Birthplace Of The Messiah. This Shows The Fulfillment Of Old Testament Prophecies In Jesus' Birth.

4. The Gifts Of The Wise Men:

   • The Gifts Of Gold, Frankincense, And Myrrh Are Deeply Symbolic. Gold Represents Royalty, Frankincense Divinity, And Myrrh Is Often Associated With Suffering And Death. These Gifts Hint At Jesus' Future Roles As King, God, And Sacrificial Savior.

   • The Act Of Worship By The Wise Men, Including The Presentation Of These Gifts, Signifies Their Recognition Of Jesus' Divine Authority, Even As A Young Child.

5. Herod's Deception And The Wise Men's Obedience:

   • Herod's Request For The Wise Men To Return To Him With Information About Jesus' Location Was Deceitful, As He Intended To Kill The Child.

   • However, The Wise Men Were Divinely Warned In A Dream To Avoid Herod And Return Home By Another Route. This Demonstrates Their Obedience To God And The Protection Of Jesus From Those Who Sought To Harm Him.

Reflections:

• The Contrast Of Responses: The Passage Contrasts Three Different Reactions To Jesus' Birth—Herod's Hostility, The Religious Leaders' Indifference, And The Wise Men's Worship. This Invites Reflection On How People Today Respond To Jesus.

• God's Sovereignty: The Story Highlights God's Control Over Events, Guiding The Wise Men To Jesus And Protecting Him From Herod's Schemes. It Emphasizes That God's Purposes Will Be Fulfilled, Regardless Of Human Opposition.

This Passage Invites Readers To Consider Their Own Response To Jesus And The Lengths They Are Willing To Go To Seek And Honor Him.