The Wise Men's Visit

From: Messages of God's Love: 1943

Matthew 2

Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the King, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, Saying: “Where is He that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen His star in the east, and are come to worship Him.”

It is not told from how far east those men had come, or how they knew the star they had seen in their land was in honor to the “King of the Jews.” But God must have shown them, and they desired so much to see that King that they made the hard journey. They knew that He was from God, for they said they had come to worship Him.

Jerusalem was the capital city of the Jews, so they expected to find the new King there. Herod called for the men who had the writings of the prophets, who said the Great Ruler was to come from Bethlehem (Mic. 5:2²But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting. (Micah 5:2))

Those people of Jerusalem had known a King was to come from Heaven, and we would think many would have gone to see Him. But it is not told that any went,—only the wise men.

After they started for Bethlehem, they again saw the star they had seen in their own land, and it guided them to the house where the young child Jesus was. The men had brought valuable gifts, suitable for a King: gold, frankincense, the dried gum of rare trees, used to burn for its sweet perfume, and myrrh, also from rare trees, used as a medicine and to preserve.

Gold speaks of the Lord’s righteousness; the incense of the life of Jesus, which was pleasing to God; and the myrrh teaches of the “healing” of many.

Herod had told the wise men to come back and tell him, after they had found the young child born to be King, and he would go to worship Him. But he wa, not speaking the truth, for he was a wicked man, and really wanted to destroy, the One to take his place as king.

God knew Herod’s thoughts and gave the wise men warning, in a dream not to go to tell Herod. So they returned to their homes another way. This story of the wise men shows God’s wish to bless many far away, by His Son.

It is not strange that a special star shone in honor of the Lord Jesus coming to earth, for we are told that “all things were made by Him.” John 1:3³All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. (John 1:3).

Do you know how long ago it was that the Lord Jesus came as a Baby to this earth? Our year dates tell us as near as is known: as, the year 1942 meant it was that many years since Christ was born. His birth was so important an event that our time is reckoned from His birth.

“When the fullness of the time was come, God sent forth His Son.” Galatians 4:4⁴But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, (Galatians 4:4).

Were the wise men glad when they saw the star? (Matt. 2:10¹⁰When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy. (Matthew 2:10)).

Are we told how many wise men came? (Matt. 2:1¹Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, (Matthew 2:1)).

When the wise men saw Mary and the Baby Jesus, whom did they worship? (Matt. 2:11¹¹And when they were come into the house, they 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. (Matthew 2:11)).

ML 01/10/1943

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