Matthew Chapter 2
The shepherds went directly to see the baby Jesus in a manger, but these wise men who followed a star took a side road towards Jerusalem. Perhaps they reckoned in their thoughts a king would surely be born in Jerusalem since he was the king of the Jews. Here we see a contrast in the thinking of men and the thoughts of God. God's thoughts are higher and much different than man's thoughts.
1 Corinthians 1:25, "Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men."
We see here God is wiser than wise men and he is stronger than the strength of King Herod the "Great".
These wise men inquire of the pagan, cruel king the whereabouts of the King of the Jews. Herod interpreted this inquiry as a threat against himself. This is not the response of insanity but the response of someone soaked with the values of the world system.
The world system promotes power, position, prestige. These qualities defined the life of this King Herod and he responded to any competition with vicious brutality. Beware when you meet people who aspire to position in life and who are competitive.
When I look at Herod I see the result of this world system attitude and mindset. This mindset and attitude seeks to murder the Lord Jesus because he is a threat to his power and position.
They cannot kill the Lord Jesus now so they apply this hatred towards those who belong to him and are born of the Spirit.
The man seeking a name for himself through position and prestige naturally stomps on the head of the man who is filled with the Holy Spirit. This is how it has always been since Cain and Abel.
When Herod heard news of this King of the Jews he summoned the Jewish religious leaders to share their insight. They were correct in pointing to Bethlehem of Judea as the place where the Messiah would be born.
It does not seem they had any interest or did not believe the prophecy was actually fulfilled at that moment. They gave Herod bible information but that is all it was to them. Just some bible knowledge.
How many times do we today treat bible prophecy of the second coming of Christ in the same manner? Is it possible the second coming of Christ could take place in our life time? Should we not earnestly look for the return of the Lord Jesus Christ and the rapture of the church? This is our blessed hope and we should search the scriptures daily to discern the time in which we live.
The religious leaders had knowledge but were comfortable in their position and prestige. They were indifferent, or unbelieving, because this news did not excite them like it did the wise men from the east or King Herod. They were lukewarm and indeed Christ Jesus did spew them out of his mouth when he upbraided their hypocrisy and covetousness.
After the wise men found Jesus, gave him gifts, and worshiped him, they departed back to their own lands using another route to avoid Herod. These men were warned by God in a dream not to return to Herod.
We often see this method employed by angels and God to communicate with men throughout scripture from the time of Abraham and Joseph in Genesis and throughout the New Testament gospels and church history in the book Acts.
Not only did God communicate with these wise men but he continuously gave direction to Joseph through dreams and angel visits.
The Lord sent Joseph to Egypt to escape the wrath of Herod. The angel of the Lord warned Joseph in the dream that Herod would attempt to destroy the young child Jesus.
The apostle Matthew in writing this gospel sees the return of Jesus out of Egypt as fulfillment of prophecy.
Throughout the life of Jesus described in the gospels we see the writer moved by the Holy Spirit to point out how the life, ministry, death, and resurrection of the Lord Jesus fulfilled prophecy in scripture.
We should note this and study scripture for prophecy concerning his second return in the future. Jesus himself said he is returning again to receive us unto himself that where he is we may be also. (John 14:3)
Another fulfillment of scripture was when Herod killed all the male children under two years of age in Bethlehem. He was enraged the wise men outwitted him, and decided if he could not find the child he would instead kill all the children about the same age.
The Lord knew about this and sent Joseph to Egypt. God knows what the enemy will do before the enemy knows what he will do. God prepares his children and makes a way of escape, as he has promised. (Psalm 91)
Once again Joseph receives instructions from an angel through a dream to return to Israel, but to stay away from the area around Jerusalem and instead live in Nazareth.
It is significant Jesus was raised in the town of Nazareth. Nazareth was a place where poor people lived, and was humble circumstances for the Savior to grow up in. There were more Gentiles in that area than around Jerusalem, and no doubt Jesus came in contact with many people growing up who were not Jews.
Also, later during the ministry of Jesus and even to this day the enemies of Jesus make a big deal about Jesus being a Nazarene. This is for the purpose of casting an insult at the Lord but the Lord himself takes this as a badge of honor. When he spoke to Saul on the road to Damascus he identified himself as Jesus of Nazareth. Acts 22:8, "And I answered, Who art thou, Lord? And he said unto me, I am Jesus of Nazareth, whom thou persecutest."
In world news the murderers of Christians in the middle east make a mark on the house of Christians which means "Nazarene". Even to this day those who persecute the Lord Jesus refer to him as Jesus of Nazareth.
This is meant as an insult but the Lord takes this insult and turns it into a blessing. We are blessed to be identified with this lowly savior who was raised in Nazareth.
He is King of kings and Lord of lords, and he will return again. He will reign as King from his capital in Jerusalem and every knee will bow in heaven and on earth and under the earth and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father. (Philippians 2:10-11)
