Wise Men

 

 

Wise Men From The East ~ Matthew 2:1-12

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? (properly translated - King of Judea) For we have seen His star in the East and have come to worship Him.”

 

When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born.

 

So they said to him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for thus it is written by the prophet:

‘But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,
Are not the least among the rulers of Judah;
For out of you shall come a Ruler
Who will shepherd My people Israel.’ ”

 

Then Herod, when he had secretly called the wise men, determined from them what time the star appeared. And he sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search carefully for the young Child, and when you have found Him, bring back word to me, that I may come and worship Him also.”

Note: 'young Child', not a baby in a manger. Jesus was probably over a year old when the wise men from the east arrived at the house where Joseph and Mary had moved. Only the shepherds came to the stable the night Jesus was born.

 

When they heard the king, they departed; and behold, the star which they had seen 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 exceedingly 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.

What do the three gifts represent? Gold - a gift fit for a King, Frankincense - the anointing oil of a Priest, and Myrrh - the burial ointment for the sacrifice of Jesus.

 

Then, being divinely warned in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed for their own country another way. Another way not only means to avoid Herod, but a new mindset... a New Way to live, and think, and act.

Then Herod, when he saw that he was tricked by the wise men, was exceeding angry, and sent forth, and killed all the children that were in Bethlehem, and in all the coasts thereof, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had diligently inquired of the wise men.~ Matthew 2:16

Notice 'his star' guided the wise men to Jerusalem, the Scriptures led then to Jesus. The same is true today -- going to Church will lead you to "Jerusalem" (Yah's city of peace), but the Scriptures lead you to Christ. Wise men and women still seek Christ, but you will not find Him in organized religion. Salvation is a free gift, no need for a middle-man. Assembling together is for fellowship, not to make brownie points with God or man.

As it is written: But you must continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them,  and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.

 

All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness,  that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work. ~ 2 Timothy 3:14-17

 

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The purpose of this post is to get people to think about what they believe and why they believe it, not debate who's right or wrong. To learn the revealed truth of God we must know and understand the true meaning of the words God inspired to be written. Use Strong's Concordance to check the original word before it was translated. Do your own research, make up your own mind, rely on the Holy Spirit to guide you.