Prophecy
"Yea, all kings shall
fall down before him: all nations shall serve him."
Psalms 72:11
Fulfillment
"Then Herod, when he had privily
called the wise men, inquired of them diligently
what time the star appeared. And he sent them to
Bethlehem, and said, Go and search diligently for
the young child; and when ye have found him,
bring me word again, that I may come and worship
him also.
When they had heard the king, they departed; and, lo, the star, which they
saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young
child was.
When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy.
And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary
his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their
treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh. "
Matthew 2:7-11 |
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Jesus was Adored by Great Persons - Psalms
72:11
"Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the
days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the
East to Jerusalem, saying, Where is He that is born King of
the Jews? for we have seen His star in the East, and are come
to worship Him."
The wise men from the East were philosophers. They belonged to a large and influential
class that included men of noble birth, and comprised much of the wealth and
learning of their nation. Among these were many who imposed on the credulity
of the people. Others were upright men who studied the indications of Providence
in nature, and who were honored for their integrity and wisdom. Of this character
were the wise men who came to Jesus.
The light of God is ever shining amid the darkness of heathenism. As these magi
studied the starry heavens, and sought to fathom the mystery hidden in their
bright paths, they beheld the glory of the Creator. Seeking clearer knowledge,
they turned to the Hebrew Scriptures. In their own land were treasured prophetic
writings that predicted the coming of a divine teacher. Balaam belonged to the
magicians, though at one time a prophet of God; by the Holy Spirit he had foretold
the prosperity of Israel and the appearing of the Messiah; and his prophecies
had been handed down by tradition from century to century. But in the Old Testament
the Saviour's advent was more clearly revealed. The magi learned with joy that
His coming was near, and that the whole world was to be filled with a knowledge
of the glory of the Lord.
The wise men had seen a mysterious light in the heavens upon that night when
the glory of God flooded the hills of Bethlehem. As the light faded, a luminous
star appeared, and lingered in the sky. It was not a fixed star nor a planet,
and the phenomenon excited the keenest interest. That star was a distant company
of shining angels, but of this the wise men were ignorant. Yet they were impressed
that the star was of special import to them. They consulted priests and philosophers,
and searched the scrolls of the ancient records. The prophecy of Balaam had declared, "There
shall come a Star out of Jacob, and a Scepter shall rise out of Israel." Num.
24:17. Could this strange star have been sent as a harbinger of the Promised
One? The magi had welcomed the light of heaven-sent truth; now it was shed upon
them in brighter rays. Through dreams they were instructed to go in search of
the newborn Prince.
As by faith Abraham went forth at the call of God, "not knowing whither
he went" (Heb. 11:8); as by faith Israel followed the pillar of cloud to
the Promised Land, so did these Gentiles go forth to find the promised Saviour.
The Eastern country abounded in precious things, and the magi did not set out
empty-handed. It was the custom to offer presents as an act of homage to princes
or other personages of rank, and the richest gifts the land afforded were borne
as an offering to Him in whom all the families of the earth were to be blessed.
It was necessary to journey by night in order to keep the star in view; but the
travelers beguiled the hours by repeating traditional sayings and prophetic utterances
concerning the One they sought. At every pause for rest they searched the prophecies;
and the conviction deepened that they were divinely guided. While they had the
star before them as an outward sign, they had also the inward evidence of the
Holy Spirit, which was impressing their hearts, and inspiring them with hope.
The journey, though long, was a happy one to them.
Through the wise men, God had called the attention of the Jewish nation to the
birth of His Son. Their inquiries in Jerusalem, the popular interest excited,
and even the jealousy of Herod, which compelled the attention of the priests
and rabbis, directed minds to the prophecies concerning the Messiah, and to the
great event that had just taken place.
Satan was bent on shutting out the divine light from the world, and he used his
utmost cunning to destroy the Saviour. But He who never slumbers nor sleeps was
watching over His beloved Son. He who had rained manna from heaven for Israel
and had fed Elijah in the time of famine provided in a heathen land a refuge
for Mary and the child Jesus. And through the gifts of the magi from a heathen
country, the Lord supplied the means for the journey into Egypt and the sojourn
in a land of strangers.
The magi had been among the first to welcome the Redeemer. Their gift was the
first that was laid at His feet. And through that gift, what privilege of ministry
was theirs! The offering from the heart that loves, God delights to honor, giving
it highest efficiency in service for Him. If we have given our hearts to Jesus,
we also shall bring our gifts to Him. Our gold and silver, our most precious
earthly possessions, our highest mental and spiritual endowments, will be freely
devoted to Him who loved us, and gave Himself for us. Back |
