Friday - 4th
January
Topic: The Kings Birth
Read : Matthew Chapter 2 again
It's no surprise that Herod tried to kill Jesus, for Herod
alone wanted to bear the title “King of the Jews.” But there was another
reason. Herod was not a full blooded Jew; he was actually an Idumaean, a
descendant of Esau. This picture is of the old struggle between Esau and Jacob
that began before the boys were born (Gen. 25: 19-34). It is the spiritual
versus the carnal, the godly versus the worldly.
The Magi were seeking the King; Herod was opposing the King
and the Jewish priests were ignoring the King. These priests knew the
Scriptures and pointed others to the Saviour, but would not go to worship Him
themselves! They quoted Micah 5:2 but did not obey it. They were five miles
from the very Son of God, yet they did not go to see Him! The Gentiles sought
and found Him, but the Jews did not.
Verse 9 of chapter 2 indicates that the miraculous star was
not always visible to the Magi. As they started toward Bethlehem, they saw the
star again; and it led them to the house where Jesus was. By now, Joseph had
moved Mary and the baby from the temporary dwelling where the Lord Jesus had
been born ( Luke 2:7). The traditional manger scenes that assemble together the
shepherds and wise mes are not true to Scripture, since the Magi arrived much
later.
Matthew cites a second fulfilled prophecy to prove that
Jesus Christ is the King ( Matt 2:5). How He was was a fulfillment of prophecy,
and where he was born was a fulfillment of prophecy. Bethlehem means “ house of
bread” and this was where the “ Bread of Life” came to earth ( John 6:48).
Bethlehem in the Old Testament was associated with David who was a type of
Jesus Christ in His suffering and Glory.
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