 Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem, 2 saying, “Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.” 3 When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him;4 and assembling all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. 5 They told him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for so it is written by the prophet:
6 “‘And you, O Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for from you shall come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel.’” 7 Then Herod summoned the wise men secretly and ascertained from them what time the star had appeared.8 And he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, “Go and search diligently for the child, and when you have found him, bring me word, that I too may come and worship him.” 9 After listening to the king, they went on their way. And behold, the star that they had seen when it rose went before them until it came to rest over the place where the child was. 10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy.11 And going into the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh. 12 And being warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed to their own country by another way. The Flight to Egypt 13 Now when they had departed, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, “Rise, take the child and his mother, and flee to Egypt, and remain there until I tell you, for Herod is about to search for the child, to destroy him.” 14 And he rose and took the child and his mother by night and departed to Egypt 15 and remained there until the death of Herod. This was to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet, “Out of Egypt I called my son.” Herod Kills the Children 16 Then Herod, when he saw that he had been tricked by the wise men, became furious, and he sent and killed all the male children in Bethlehem and in all that region who were two years old or under, according to the time that he had ascertained from the wise men. 17 Then was fulfilled what was spoken by the prophet Jeremiah: 18 “A voice was heard in Ramah, weeping and loud lamentation, Rachel weeping for her children; she refused to be comforted, because they are no more.” The Return to Nazareth 19 But when Herod died, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt, 20 saying, “Rise, take the child and his mother and go to the land of Israel, for those who sought the child's life are dead.” 21 And he rose and took the child and his mother and went to the land of Israel. 22 But when he heard that Archelaus was reigning over Judea in place of his father Herod, he was afraid to go there, and being warned in a dream he withdrew to the district of Galilee. 23 And he went and lived in a city called Nazareth, so that what was spoken by the prophets might be fulfilled, that he would be called a Nazarene. Meditation Jesus is the Light revealing God’s love for all nations (Isaiah 49:6). Through the blood of His cross, Jesus was reconciling all things back to God- things in heaven and on earth (Colossians 1:20). The light and love of Jesus is for all people in all places, “As far as the curse is found!” This includes peoples from Afghanistan to America and Iran to Indonesia- The good news of Jesus is for all peoples in all places! The first worshippers of Jesus were not Jews or Christians, they were gentile Persian Zoroastrians who interpreted stars to journey for worship of the King of Heaven (1-4). The Maggi worship fulfilled God’s promise (5-6) and revealed a great purpose for Jesus, to bring salvation to the ends of the earth. Herod helps us see that the kings of the world are “troubled” when the peoples worship Jesus, opening their treasure as tribute to the King of all the earth. Jesus’ name means, “The Lord saves” (1:21) and Scripture reveals God’s sovereign grace drawing saints from every tribe, tongue, and nation (Revelation 7:9). Jesus offers salvation to every person. Jesus’ grace can restore every heart and any home. Emphasizing God’s priority to share this purpose with His people, Matthew’s gospel famously ends with the Great Commission, resurrected Jesus’ commanding disciples to “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations...” (Matthew 28:18-20) God chooses to use His people towards for His purpose, through the Church every neighbor will see God’s light and all nations will hear of God’s love revealed through Jesus Christ. Richly Dwelling -What stands out to you from today’s reading, especially the worship of the Maggi and the reaction of king Herod? -Does God’s grand plan to reach peoples from every nation motivate you into mission? Why or why not? -The person and work of Jesus fulfills God’s plan, freeing believers to walk from salvation into works of service towards His ends. What, specifically, is Jesus calling you to do in participation of His work of redemptive restoration in your neighborhood and among the nations? Key Verse 11 And going into the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh.
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