The Gospel of the Kingdom - Matthew - The Wise Men's Journey

 

TEXT: Matthew 2:1-8 – “After Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of King Herod, wise men from the east arrived in Jerusalem, saying, “Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star at its rising and have come to worship him.” When King Herod heard this, he was deeply disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him. So he assembled all the chief priests and scribes of the people and asked them where the Messiah would be born. “In Bethlehem of Judea,” they told him, “because this is what was written by the prophet: And you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah: Because out of you will come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel.” Then Herod secretly summoned the wise men and asked them the exact time the star appeared. He sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search carefully for the child. When you find him, report back to me so that I too can go and worship him.”

So, having divested ourselves of these “myths” yesterday, today we will consider the wise men’s journey as they travel to Jerusalem.

In verses 1 and 2 we see they arrive and immediately began inquiring as to “Where is he who has been born king of the Jews?” They apparently started asking all officials this question, explaining that saw His star appear in the sky, and they were seeking to worship this One whom the heaven’s declared.

This news traveled fast to King Herod and caused great concern on his behalf (2:3). In fact, Herod is greatly troubled. The Greek word here carries the connotation of causing one inward commotion, taking away their calmness of mind, and totally disturbing their equanimity. All of Jerusalem was troubled because they know the jealousy and insecurity of Herod. What kind of reaction he would place upon them, well, they were afraid to find out.

 Herod demanded (2:4)  that the Jewish priests tell him where this Messiah will be born. Herod was an Idumean (not a Jew) and was not familiar with the Jewish Scriptures, yet he was aware of their prophecies. The command in the Greek is in the imperfect tense meaning he kept asking. He wouldn’t give up until he had his answer.

 The religious leaders told Herod that the place was in Bethlehem (2:5). There is no indication if they had to go back and search or if they knew the answer. They were very familiar with the Scripture and would have been desiring the Messiah to come and rescue them from the Romans.

 In verse 6 they bring Herod the prediction of Micah the prophet (Micah 5:2). God was very specific in Micah’s prophecy because there were two Bethlehem’s in Herod’s day.

They told Herod that this ruler will shepherd God’s people. A shepherd feeds, leads, and protects the sheep. Scripturally we see that the picture of the shepherd is one of Jesus.

Jesus refers to Himself as the Good shepherd in John 10:11. Peter calls Him the chief shepherd in 1 Peter 5:4. Jesus tells Peter in John 21:16 to shepherd His sheep.

In Ephesians 4:11 we see this word and concept translated it as Pastor. Pastors are the Undershepherds of the local Church and so, our task is “for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ…”

 These religious rulers knew the Scriptures plainly, but they apparently were not truly believing that they would be fulfilled. Sadly, they will miss the importance of God's Son living here on Earth. 

Tomorrow, we will consider the Wise Men’s Private meeting with Herod.