Our reading now shifts back to the Gospel of Matthew, as Matthew relates part of the Christmas story that Luke doesn’t. Matthew doesn’t say much about the birth of Christ, instead, he focuses on what happened after. Matthew is the one who relates the story of the Magi (Wise Men) coming from the east. Although we can’t be certain, the Magi were probably astrologers who studied the stars and were advisors to the King of Persia. They were not present at the manger scene as they had to travel some distance to find Jesus. God wants us to seek him as the Magi sought the king born to the Jews. Isaiah 55:6-7 says, “Seek the LORD while he may be found; call on him while he is near. Let the wicked forsake his way and the evil man his thoughts. Let him turn to the LORD, and he will have mercy on him, and to our God, for he will freely pardon.”
Matthew 2:1-8
The Visit of the Wise Men
2 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, 2 saying, “Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose[b] and have come to worship him.” 3 When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him; 4 and assembling all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. 5 They told him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for so it is written by the prophet:
6 “‘And you, O Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,
are by no means least among the rulers of Judah;
for from you shall come a ruler
who will shepherd my people Israel.’”
7 Then Herod summoned the wise men secretly and ascertained from them what time the star had appeared. 8 And he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, “Go and search diligently for the child, and when you have found him, bring me word, that I too may come and worship him.”
COMPREHENSION QUESTIONS:
Where did the Magi come from? (1)
Why did they go to Jerusalem? (2)
What did the Magi call the one they were seeking?(2)
How did Herod determine where the baby was? (3-5)
What did Herod tell the Magi to do?(8)
THOUGHT QUESTIONS:
What is impressive about the Magi?
What can you learn from them?
PRAYER:
Thank God that the Magi recognized the importance of the star and sought to find Jesus. Pray that you, too, would recognize the importance of the truth and seek Jesus with all your heart.
FOCUS VERSE: Isaiah 55:6-7
Seek the LORD while he may be found; call on him while he is near. Let the wicked forsake his way and the evil man his thoughts. Let him turn to the LORD, and he will have mercy on him, and to our God, for he will freely pardon.