You Can’t Make This Stuff Up.

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 when it rose 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 Messiah 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 shepherd my people Israel.’”

Then Herod called the Magi secretly and found out from them the exact time the star had appeared. He sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search carefully for the child. As soon as you find him, report to me, so that I too may go and worship him.” After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen when it rose went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was.  When they saw the star, they were overjoyed.  On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.

I had the privilege of reading this portion of the Nativity story in our Christmas service this year. While preparing to read it, I came to realize more than ever how rich those few verses of Scripture are.

First, there’s the setting. Matthew wrote of a specific time and place, because this is fact, not legend. Like the gospel writer Luke, a historian who did his research diligently, Matthew, a tax collector who had worked for Rome, was also meticulous in his reporting. The birth of Jesus happened, not “once upon a time,” but “in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod.”

I also love the fact that Jesus’ birth was announced to gentiles hundreds – maybe even thousands – of miles away. This Child was to be born not just for the Jews, but for the rest of the world, as well. This was an aspect of God’s plan the Jews were not aware of in the beginning – and later, many objected to it. But that’s a story for another time.

In addition to the widening of God’s Plan to all the peoples, we also see the divinity of Jesus, revealed in the way His birth was announced in the heavens – announced by a star! The wisemen were granted the understanding to discern the meaning of the star. And the Spirit of God had put it in their hearts to travel all that way to see this little child.

The Jewish King of Judea, Herod, who was “in power” at the time, who was feared by the people, and whose orders were to be obeyed, nevertheless felt threatened by this unknown Person, who, for all he knew, was a mere infant! Who could miss the irony in his reaction?

When Herod called together the chief priests and teachers of the law, it turned out they knew the prophecy about where this King was to be born, and the ever-efficient Matthew quoted them, as they quoted the Scripture, right out of Micah. Answer: Bethlehem.

Unlike the wisemen’s passionate dedication to their quest for this King, the so-called believers and experts, who knew the Christ in all probability had been born recently just a stone’s throw away, nevertheless didn’t even bother to go there and check it out! Were they really that apathetic, or could it be they were intimidated by the other King, who stood in front of them and whose jealous rage was close to the boiling point?

In contrast to Herod’s hostile response and the priests’ and teachers’ apathy/intimidation, the same passage describes the magi’s rejoicing at finding the little King, bowing down to Him, and pouring out their lavish gifts, their pagan hearts somehow having been invaded by God’s Spirit. What fictional writer could have come up with this story?

As is often said these days, “You can’t make this stuff up.” 😉

(Happy Epiphany, everyone.)

Prayer: Lord, Jesus, You came to earth so many years ago, not just for the Jews, but for all of us! You came not just for the people of that time, but for anyone and everyone who would believe in You through the ages, and Your gospel will continue reverberating throughout history until You come again. May our response be like that of the Magi, one of seeking diligently and not giving up until we find You and falling down in worship at Your feet. May we daily pour out elaborate gifts to You – all that we are, all that we have, and all that we do. Take us and make us the people You created us to be. We give our lives to You this day, in Your name, amen.