Matthew 2:1-12 (NRSV)
Read Matthew 2:1-12 on biblegateway.com
Chapter 2In the time of King Herod, after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, Verse 2asking, "Where is the child who has been born king of the Jews? For we observed his star at its rising, and have come to pay him homage." Verse 3When King Herod heard this, he was frightened, and all Jerusalem with him; Verse 4and calling together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Messiah was to be born. Verse 5They told him, "In Bethlehem of Judea; for so it has been written by the prophet: Verse 6'And you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for from you shall come a ruler who is to shepherd my people Israel.'" Verse 7Then Herod secretly called for the wise men and learned from them the exact time when the star had appeared. Verse 8Then he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, "Go and search diligently for the child; and when you have found him, bring me word so that I may also go and pay him homage."
Verse 9When they had heard the king, they set out; and there, ahead of them, went the star that they had seen at its rising, until it stopped over the place where the child was. Verse 10When they saw that the star had stopped, they were overwhelmed with joy. Verse 11On entering the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother; and they knelt down and paid him homage. Then, opening their treasure chests, they offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Verse 12And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they left for their own country by another road.
Devotion
The historical setting of the Magi dates to the reign of King Herod the Great (37-4 BC). Herod was an astute politician who always managed to be on the side of the winners in the power struggles going on in Rome. He won the favor of Caesar Augustus and became the ruler appointed to keep the Roman peace.
The wise men were from a learned class in Persia who were astronomers and astrologers. As observers of heavenly bodies, noticed the unusual star. They may have known about the prophecy in Numbers 24:17, "A star shall come out of Jacob, and a scepter shall rise out of Israel." It was an ancient belief that signs in the heavens marked the birth of kings.
When they arrived in Jerusalem, they shocked Herod and the people asking, "Where is the child who has been born king of the Jews?" We also seek that king.
Prayer
Lord Jesus, grant that all people may seek you and find you. Amen.