ALL those we have been looking at in the second chapter of Luke, who rejoiced at the birth of Jesus, the young King, were Jews. They belonged to the country where Jesus was born. But God would have His Son honored by others also, and so He made known to some wise men in the East that the young King was born. They saw His star in the East, and came to Jerusalem to worship Him, asking: “Where is He that is born King of the Jews?”
But the Babe was not now in Jerusalem; so they went to Bethlehem, and the star which they had seen in the East went before them till it came and stood over where the young Child was. You will find the account of this in the second chapter of Matthew.
Well, “when they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy.” Ah! yes; these wise men were, no doubt, taught of God, and they rejoiced greatly at the star which led them into the presence of the young King. Many kings have been born in this world, and many a time there has been rejoicing at their birth and at their crowning; but there never was such a King as this. This King, though born in a stable and cradled in a manger, was from heaven, and was God’s eternal Son, the King of kings, and Lord of lords. And well might those who knew Him rejoice when they saw Him. These wise men of the East, “when they were come into the house,” where Jesus was, “saw the young Child with Mary, His mother, and fell down and worshipped Him, and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold and frankincense and myrrh.”
Was it not beautiful to see these men make a long journey to another country in order to do honor to the young King of the Jews, because He was the King God had sent, His own blessed Son, who is worthy of the homage and praise of every creature? But that young King was rejected by the Jews, and then He went and died for their sins, and died for us also, that we might be saved. And now God has set Him on a greater throne than the throne of Israel in Jerusalem; He has set Him on His own throne in heaven. Yet, how few there are even now to do Him homage, as the wise men did. Dear children, if you would be “wise,” give honor to Jesus, who is both a great King and a Saviour.
H. R.
ML 05/06/1900