Jesus And The Wise Men

As the Magi approach Jerusalem they do not have the star to guide them. So they go to the king of Israel, Herod. Possibly He has had a son who will be king of the Jews. Herod and all Jerusalem is troubled. He has no idea who these Magi are talking about but he needs to find out so he goes to the priests who tell him that the King of the Jews the Messiah is to be born in Bethlehem.   And he sent them to Bethlehem and said, "Go and search carefully for the Child; and when you have found Him, report to me, so that I too may come and worship Him." After hearing the king, they went their way; and the star, which they had seen in the east, went on before them until it came and stood over the place where the Child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy.*   Now the Magi have seen the star for a second time. Are they happy? They are far beyond happy; they are probably jumping up and down for joy! Now they know they are going in the right direction. Now they know this is not man directing them but God directing them. That star that they saw far away in the East somehow went on before them. It traveled with them. The star stood over the very place where Jesus was. Normally we think of stars as being far away. Normally we think of God as being far away. This is God revealing Himself to Gentiles and they cannot help but be full of joy. The good news is you can be full of joy too when you invite Jesus into your life. Special Note: Gentiles are people that are not Jews. The Old Testament will refer to the descendents of Jacob who were slaves in Egypt as: Jews, My people, Hebrews, Sons of Israel, Children of Israel, Israel, and Israelites. Matthew 2:8-10 (NASB)

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