"Where? When?"
“Where? When?”
Blessings folk!
The Magi had arrived to Jerusalem from the East.
Where in the East?
We are not told.
Likely from Persia…what is today Iran, Iraq, etc.
They had seen the star of the Savior.
The Lord has sent a sign.
Why were they even looking?
We do not know who these Magi were…Zoroastrian? Jewish? etc.
There was a strong Jewish remnant in Persian remaining from the days of Captivity.
They came seeking the One born the King of the Jews?
Why this?
How did they know to interpret the star as a sign of this?
I believe the Lord led them.
I believe the Lord gave them understanding.
Their seeking the Jewish King troubled Herod…and Jerusalem.
Watch what Herod did…
Mat 2:1-8
Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem, saying,
“Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we saw 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.
Gathering together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Messiah was to be born.
They said to him, “In Bethlehem of Judea; for this is what has been written by the prophet:
‘AND YOU, BETHLEHEM, LAND OF JUDAH,
ARE BY NO MEANS LEAST AMONG THE LEADERS OF JUDAH;
FOR OUT OF YOU SHALL COME FORTH A RULER
WHO WILL SHEPHERD MY PEOPLE ISRAEL.’”
Then Herod secretly called the magi and determined from them he exact time the star appeared.
And he sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search carefully for the Child; and when you have found Him, report to me, so that I too may come and worship Him.”
Herod feigned interest before two groups.
- Before the Jewish chief priests and scribes he inquired as to where this “Messiah” was to be born.
They answered “in Bethlehem of Judea”. The prophet Micah thus stated.
(2) Before the Magi from the East he inquired as to the exact time that the star appeared.
He then told them to seek out the baby and report back so that he could come and worship.
Herod wanted to know where and when.
He sought to eliminate any competition.
Leaders do the same today.
They feign true faith, yet their lives reflect otherwise.
We have leaders today that profess to be “christian”, yet the fruit of their life is evident.
We have leaders today that profess to be “christian”, yet their deeds and words make it obvious that they a part of a cult or false religion.
Such is common.
Such usually results in trial, tribulation and turmoil for true believers.
Be alert!
Be ready!
Be prepared!
Fear not!
It is gonna get worse.