“Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from
the east came to Jerusalem, saying, ‘where is he who has been born king of the Jews” For we saw his star
when it rose and have come to worship him’” (Matthew 2:1-2).
These distinguished visitors had obviously been studying ancient Hebrew writings and discovered that a
King would be born to the Jews who was of interest to them as well. They had made a long and perilous
journey to find this King. The miraculously appearing star had signaled them from the East. In the great
expectation of meeting this King they had gathered up the most costly gifts to present to Him – gold,
frankincense, and myrrh. Such gifts were no ordinary present. They were fit for a king! The esteem they
held for this expected King regarded no gift too extravagant, no trip too arduous!
Upon finally arriving in the capital of Jerusalem they surely expected the town to be in full celebration of
their great king! The people should be jubilant at his long awaited arrival!
.... yet upon inquiry they were met with blank, fearful stares and bewildered dismissal. We are told all
Jerusalem was “troubled”. Rich, scholarly men from the Orient, bearing costly gifts, with the audacity to
ask about a king of the Jews! Didn’t they know the Jews had been under Roman rule for over 60 years?
Did they not realize that the punishment for treason against the Roman appointed king Herod was certain
death?! The wily king Herod was full of rage when the Magi’s questions reached his palace! He
managed to keep a crusty, cool exterior as he instructed the wisemen to continue searching and then let
him know so he too could “come and worship him”.
To our wisemen's great joy the star again appeared ... expectantly they followed. They left the marble
palace and the big city. About five miles south of Jerusalem they came to the humble town of Bethlehem.
There we can see the rich scholars on their knees, bowing low before a tiny Baby and his astounded
parents. We are told “they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him
gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh”. Their hearts were bursting with gratitude in the knowledge that
this Baby was a King come from the glory of heaven to save sinners. Their costly gifts suddenly must
have seemed so shabby in comparison with the Gift before them! What is a bit of gold to One who lived
with streets of gold? What are riches to the Creator of all the world? But wait! It wasn’t the gifts in their
jeweled chests that caught the eye of heaven ... it was the riches in their hearts! They had believed! They
had bowed in worship! They had left everything to follow a star and find their King!
Can we too kneel with them? Can we follow a star and find our King? Are we ready to worship Him
today?