In order to get the complete scriptural picture of the events surrounding Jesus' birth, we have to study Matthew, Mark, and Luke. Matthew, for example, does not include the shepherds who were the first to visit the Christ child. When we carefully study exactly what the scripture does and does not say, it leads us to realize that our nativity scenes and Christmas cards and carols are not always accurate! We know for sure that the shepherds and the Magi did not visit the baby Jesus at the same time. I still plan to use my beloved nativity scene though! And I imagine we'll still sing "We Three Kings" at church though the Bible does not say that the Magi were "kings" at all, and it doesn't tell us how many there were. Most commentators say that the word "Magi" means astrologers. They may have been an ancient type of scientist who studied the heavens. Apparently the news of Jesus birth had reached them in "the east," and they as Gentiles naturally came to the Jewish capital of Jerusalem to inquire about the "king of the Jews." They had seen "his star in the east," and they must have known that it was a miraculous star, different from the ones with which they were familiar, and they wanted to worship Him.
King Herod was not a Jew, but had been appointed king of Judea (a Jewish state) by the Roman government. Obviously he felt threatened by news of a new king particularly when travelers from far away came to worship Him. He wasn't familiar with Old Testament prophecy so he checked with the Jewish chief priests and teachers and found our that the promised Messiah would be born in Bethlehem. The prophet Micah had predicted this more than 7 centuries earlier. Upon hearing this, Herod hatched a plan to destroy Jesus by using the Magi to find Him.
The miraculous star led the Magi to Jesus' home where they bowed down and worshiped Him. He was probably several months old or even nearly 2 years at this time. We know this from v. 16. They brought Him gifts of gold, incense and myrrh.
God was at work to protect the Lord Jesus and warned the Magi in a dream not to return to King Herod, and they returned to their country by another route.
One thought I had as I read this and as I looked at Psalm 68 is that though Jesus was Jewish by ethnicity, He came to save everyone who will trust Him. It's interesting to note that the Gentile Magi were among the very first worshipers. We will see this throughout the Bible--that God's plan is for everyone!
Psalm 68
This is a victory psalm celebrating the many times God had delivered Israel. He had defeated their enemies "as smoke is blown away by the wind,...and as wax melts before the fire." v. 2 The psalmist David is rejoicing and singing and worshiping God! "Sing to God, sing praise to his name, extol him who rides on the clouds--his name is the Lord--and rejoice before him." v. 4
Here are some of the attributes of God that we see in this psalm:
- He is a father to the fatherless v. 5 I had a good earthly father, but he wasn't a perfect man. Unfortunately, many earthly fathers are absent or pitifully inadequate. But we can all know the perfect Heavenly Father! (See John 1:10-14)
- He is a defender of widows. v. 5
- He sets the lonely in families. v. 6 These may not be biological families. A vibrant, well-balanced New Testament church is truly a "family" of brothers and sisters!
- He leads forth prisoners with singing. This is a reference to the fact that God brought Israel out of slavery in Egypt. v. 6
- He daily bears our burdens. v. 19
- He saves! vv. 19-20 (See John 3:16-17)
Verses 7-18 and 21-35 rehearses some of the history of Israel and praises God for His works among his people.
For our meditation: "Sing to God, O kingdoms of the earth, sing praise to the Lord, to him who rides the ancient skies above, who thunders with mighty voice...Praise be to God! vv. 32, 33, 35
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