Herod inquired of the wise men how long it was since they had first seen the star. Then he told them to go to Bethlehem and search diligently for the young child and to come back and tell him. He made it appear that he, too, would go and worship Him, but we know his real purpose was to destroy Him. Disappointed, no doubt, at Jerusalem the wise men departed; “and, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was.” Then it says, “When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy.” They had good reason to rejoice since they were finally nearing the object of their quest. They must have taken that last lap of their long journey with eager anticipation, for Bethlehem was only about five miles from Jerusalem.
“When they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother.” It is instructive to notice that they were not at all taken back to find such a wonderful Person in such humble circumstances. They simply went into the house and when they saw the young child, they “fell down, and worshipped Him.” This was a blessed moment in the history of their souls. They bowed in adoration. What a beautiful sight for God the Father and for all heaven to look down upon. “This is My Beloved Son, in whom I have found My delight.” And all those who bow before Him, now as the risen exalted Saviour at God’s right hand, experience this same blessedness in a richer measure. “And when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto Him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh.” These were very costly gifts but the best they had were for Jesus.
The Timing of the Trip
It might be helpful to point out that the visit of the wise men was not at the same time as the birth of the Lord Jesus. We are not told how long after His birth it was, but it must have been multiple months. In all probability the star first appeared to these men in their own land at the time of His birth. It would then take some time to make preparations for such a long journey which together with the journey itself would occupy some months. Then too they did not go directly to Bethlehem but to Jerusalem, where they inquire, “Where is the King of the Jews that has been born?” (Matt. 2:2 JND). When the shepherds came to Bethlehem, they found “the babe lying in a manger,” but in the case of the wise men, it says, “When they were come into the house, they saw the young child.” Furthermore we read that Herod diligently sought to find out the time when the star first appeared as if it were then that the child was born.
The wise men found that God was watching over the young child they had come to worship, for He warned them in a dream not to go back to Herod. So they returned to their own land by another way. After their departure the angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and told them that Herod would seek to destroy the young child. He was to take the young child and to flee into Egypt and stay there until He brought him word again. It is nice to see Joseph’s simple faith in his willingness to carry out these instructions. He arose and took the young child and His mother by night and went into Egypt.
Further Meditation
1. What’s the best we can have that’s for Jesus?
2. How did God care for the man Christ Jesus?
3. For more on the essential theme of worship you might find Five Letters on Worship and Ministry in the Spirit by W. Trotter to be both helpful and challenging.