After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him.” When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him. When he had called together all the people’s chief priests and teachers of the law, he asked them where the Christ was to be born. “In Bethlehem in Judea,” they replied, “for this is what the prophet has written: ” ‘But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for out of you will come a ruler who will be the shepherd of my people Israel’ ” Matthew 2: 1-6, NIV.
Dear God, we are so thankful that You are no respecter of persons. As we worship You in the beauty of holiness, may Your blessing rest upon us. In the name of Jesus Christ we humbly pray. Amen.
Today, as we continue to look at the blessings that the birth of Christ has brought us, our hearts rejoice in the assurance that all who seek Christ, will find Him! It is quite interesting, and there is so much that we can learn from the fact, that the night the Savior came to our world for the first time, only a few human beings on planet earth were aware of it! Scripture mentions two groups: the shepherds in the field, and Magi from the east! They are two distinct group of people: one an elite group, the other, humble men. Some were from the region, the others were from afar. Some knew about the birth, while some were told about the birth. What they had in common, was that the two groups sought Jesus, and they found Him!
Other interesting facts: He who was born King of the Jews, received His first gifts from strangers, who had come to “worship him” (2, 11). Both groups had an encounter of a supernatural nature. The shepherds received a visit from angels (Luke 2: 8-13). Magi received warning in a dream (Matthew 2: 12). The strangers knew about the birth, those from the region were told about the birth. The birth of the Savior brought joy to both groups: “When they (Magi) saw the star, they were overjoyed” (Matthew 2: 10). “The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told” (Luke 2: 20).
What is unusual is that everyone could have known about the Savior’s birth. It had been prophesied: ” ‘ ” ‘But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for out of you will come a ruler who will be the shepherd of my people Israel.’ ” ‘ ” The difference is that one group was studying “the Scriptures which testify about me,” (John 5: 39). The others were not!
When Christ comes the second time, there will also be two groups: Those who are awaiting the second coming, and those who are not. The reason is that one group is studying the Scriptures while the other is not. One group will be happy because they are waiting for the Savior, ” ‘ “ Behold, this is our God; we have waited for Him, and He will save us. This is the LORD; We have waited for Him; we will be glad and rejoice in His salvation” ‘ ” (Isaiah 25: 9). The other is not: “And the kings of the earth, the great men, the rich men, the commanders, the mighty men, every slave and every free man, hid themselves in the caves and in the rocks of the mountains, and said to the mountains and rocks, ‘ “Fall on us and hide us from the face of Him who sits on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb! For the great day of His wrath has come, and who is able to stand” ‘ ” (Revelation 6: 15-17)?
In the same way that there was joy at the birth of the Savior, there can also be joy at His second coming. He is coming to put an end to our tears and suffering! The Good News is, that all who seek Him will find Him when they seek Him with all their heart – for he is no respecter of persons! Today, you can seek Him with all Your heart, and then you will be ready to have a really, Merry Christmas, and Joy, at His return!