THEY FOLLOWED THE STAR
Matthew 2:1-15
For one more
Sunday we will continue to look at the amazing things that happened when Jesus
was born. Today we read about the Magi that came looking for the future king
who they knew was to be born. They came to Jerusalem looking for the newborn
king, knowing that was the center of the Jewish world. They obviously believed
this newborn king probably was born to someone in a position of leadership. Of
course when Herod heard of this, he was alarmed that men had come from so far
away to pay their respects to this newborn king. He knew this must be a big
deal and could present a problem to his leadership in the region. Herod called
on the Jewish scholars to find out what these men from the east were talking
about.
We looked at
the question last week of whether any of the Jewish leaders still believed in
the promises made thru Isaiah 700 years earlier. It would appear the answer to
that question is no. It took the Magi from the east to remind the Jewish
leaders of that promise from so long ago. But once they heard about the
possibility they knew where to look to find the answer that the Magi and King
Herod was looking for. It was King Herod who sought out the Jewish scholars to
see what the Magi was talking about. When King Herod got the answer he was
looking for, he called the Magi in and told them, “You will find the child in
Bethlehem. Go and find him. Then send word back to me so I too can worship this
newborn king.”
We do not
know for sure how much time elapsed from when the shepherds celebrated the
birth of Jesus until the wise men arrived. We do see Mary, Joseph and Jesus are
now living in a house in Bethlehem. The wise men did not find him still in a
manger. I cannot help but think Jesus is still a small baby. Otherwise, they
probably would have gone back to Nazareth. Nazareth was obviously where Joseph
and Mary’s family were from. The wise men brought three gifts to the newborn
king. Each one had an important meaning.
(1) Gold for, no doubt, a king.
(2) Incense is often used to celebrate
those who are of royalty.
(3) Myrrh was used often for embalming,
symbolizing what the Messiah would do for the people.
Once the
wise men paid their respects, God warned them not to go back and tell Herod
where this new king was, so they went back to their country a different way.
God also warned Joseph in a dream what King Herod was up to. So almost the
minute the Magi left, Joseph loaded up Mary and Jesus and left for Egypt.
Matthew
recognized, as he recorded all these events, that Hosea 11:1 talked of God’s
son being called out of Egypt. God once again proved that he is in control,
even when things may seem out of control. We again also see Joseph being the
man called on to care for both Mary and the future Savior of the world. We see
Joseph took the responsibility he had been given very seriously. No one was
going to harm this boy whom God was going to use to do amazing things. One must
wonder though just how Joseph felt about this boy that many would think was his
boy throughout the early years of Jesus’ life. I can only imagine both the
sense of pride and responsibility he had to feel. God had given Joseph the
important job of being the man that would help to mold Jesus during those early
years. And while Joseph knew Jesus was a special man that had come from God, he
still felt early on, “Jesus is my boy, my responsibility”. Joseph probably
wanted to simply enjoy the moment. We know how much Mary stored up all the
things she was told and how a mother has a special bond with her child, but I
cannot help but think that this was a special time for Joseph also. After all,
God chose Joseph for this special world-changing moment. With all that, Joseph
probably still wanted some time just to enjoy his son he has been blessed to
raise.
There is a
song by Mercy Me called “Joseph’s Lullaby” that may tell how Joseph felt about
everything happening surrounding the birth of the Messiah. As we close the
service today, I would like you to listen to what this song says and for those
who are parents, see if you can relate to everything that is said in the song.
Larry
Announcements
Every Tuesday at 9:30--Bible Study--all are welcome to attend.
New offering envelopes are available by the copy machine.
Please check your mail boxes.
January 10, after worship--Council Meeting
January 13--board meeting with old and new board members
Please place your offering in the locked box at the back of the sanctuary or mail to the church at PO Box 45, Cerro Gordo. Thanks you for your continued giving!
December 31--New Year's Eve
January 1, 2021--New Year's Day
Have a blessed New Year!
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