Day 276 – Matthew 2

Talking Points

• In an astonishing event, the magi are led to Jerusalem and eventually to the Christ Child by a star. The word for star is translated from a word that means “great brilliance” or “radiance.” Many have tried to explain the star, citing it as a planet or even a convergence of planets in the heavens. Others say it was the glory of God Himself. The truth is, whatever the source of the radiance, it was not normal. It moved and settled first over the region of Jerusalem, and then over the specific house. God supernaturally marked the whereabouts of His Son, our Savior.
• The magi fittingly brought gifts for the King they sought to worship. Gold was expensive and was used to honor nobility and royalty. It was truly a gift for a king. Frankincense was an expensive incense used at the richest of weddings and other lavish celebrations. It was kept in the temple and came to represent deity. Myrrh was a common perfume used frequently to prepare bodies for burial. It could have signified Christ’s common humanity and clearly foreshadowed His death. Imagine the depth of meaning as the young Child might have played before the gifts that spoke of His future.
• Matthew is deliberate to make the identity of the Child of chapter two clear — He is the promised Messiah, the fulfillment of prophecy. The Jewish reader would see four promises answered exactly in the events of Jesus’ birth and childhood. He was born in Bethlehem, the mothers of “Ramah” would weep and mourn, Jesus would escape and come forth from Egypt, and He would reside in Nazareth and called a Nazarene. All of this was foretold in Scripture. The gospel accounts seek to leave no uncertainty to the validity of Jesus’ claim to be the Messiah.

Thoughts

The magi of Matthew chapter two are the subjects of much discussion, speculation, and beloved tradition. And yet, we really don’t know all that much about them. We don’t know their exact nationality. We don’t know their skin color. We don’t know their mode of transportation (so much for those camels). We don’t actually know they were kings. We don’t even really know how many there were. We do know they weren’t at the actual birth, thus messing up millions of nativity scenes.

But, the Bible does tell us this: They were searching for the One “born King of the Jews” (Matthew 2:2). And, they were intent on truly worshipping Him. Praise the Lord! Here’s what we see in this beautiful account: If you are seeking the King, God has promised and proves faithful, you will find Him! Wow! Need a star? A safe passage from danger? To cover a great distance to get there? No worries, God is faithful! What a thing to behold! Longing hearts from the east in search of the King of the Jews arrive, “and they fell to the ground and worshiped Him” (2:11).

“You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart.” Jeremiah 29:13