Matthew 2: 1-12
After Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him.”
When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him. When he had called together all the people’s chief priests and teachers of the law, he asked them where the Christ was to be born. “In Bethlehem in Judah,” they replied, “for this is what the prophet has written:
“But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for out of you will come a ruler who will be the shepherd of my people Israel.”
Then Herod called the Magi secretly and found out from them the exact time the star had appeared. He sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and make a careful search for the child. As soon as you find him, report to me, so that I too may go and worship him.”
After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen in the east went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold and of incense and of myrrh. And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route.
A Thought
Matthew has given us the account of the genealogy of Jesus from the founder of the Hebrew nation Abraham, down to Joseph, the husband of Mary. And also the conception and birth of Jesus with the prophet Micah foretelling where Jesus will come from and that he will be the shepherd of his people Israel. Now the Magi are lead by a star to worship the young child as they give gifts of gold, incense and myrrh. The Magi had been sent by King Herod to Bethlehem to find the child, but now they are warned in a dream not to go back to Herod. So they returned another way.
This passage is a good reminder about God that: “Where He leads–He sends; Where He sends–He defends–and where He guides–He provides!”
Our Prayer
Father thank you for still leading and sending your people; that when you do send, you do defend, and where you guide–you will provide. Help us to trust and obey your word to grow in you and to lead others to your love and forgiveness. We ask in Jesus’ name, amen.
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