Matthew 2:9-12, The Wise Men

The Text

9 After listening to the king, they went on their way. And behold, the star that they had seen when it rose went before them until it came to rest over the place where the child was. 10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. 11 And going into the house they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh. 12 And being warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed to their own country by another way.

Comments

The journey from Jerusalem to the small town of Bethlehem was about six miles. The town’s history reached back about 2,000 years before the birth of Jesus. Rachel, Jacob’s wife, died in childbirth near there. Ruth, King David’s great-grandmother, married Boaz there. King David was born there. The name “Bethlehem” is a compound of two words: “Beth,” meaning “House,” and “lehem,” meaning “of bread.” Jesus, who called himself “the Bread of Life,” was born in “the House of Bread.”

God led the magi into this same town and into the presence of his Son, who is now a child and no longer a babe. Upon coming into his presence, they, the first Gentiles of many to come, worshiped Jesus, offering gifts befitting a king: gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Gold signified royalty and the kingship of Jesus. Frankincense was costly incense used in worship and signified Jesus was worthy of worship. Myrrh was a sweet-smelling resin used to prepare bodies for burial. This signified and prefigured Jesus’ sacrificial death to redeem humanity.

Having already spoken to Joseph in a dream, God, actively involved in all these events, guided the magi to avoid Herod’s trap in another dream.

Application/Reflection

Worship involves sacrifice. The magi sacrificed expensive goods for Jesus. What do you sacrifice to God as a follower of Jesus?

Prayer

O God, by the leading of a star you manifested your only Son

to the Peoples of the earth: Lead us, who know you now by

faith, to your presence, where we may see your glory face to

face; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns

with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.

Amen.