Tuesday, January 6, 2009
Matthew 2:7-11 Then Herod, when he had secretly called the wise men, determined from them what time the star appeared. And he sent them to Bethlehem and said, "Go and search carefully for the young Child, and when you have found Him, bring back word to me, that I may come and worship Him also." When they heard the king, they departed; and behold, the star which they had seen in the East went before them, till it came and stood over where the young Child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceedingly great joy.
AS WITH GLADNESS . . .
As with gladness men of old Did the guiding star behold;
As with joy they hailed its light, Leading onward, beaming bright,
So, most gracious Lord, may we Evermore be led by Thee!
(The Lutheran Hymnal, 127:1)
No doubt those Magi thought that their journey was at an end. They had come from a far-distant land because they had seen the star announcing the birth of the King of the Jews. Where else would He be but in the capital of the land of the Jews? So they arrived at Jerusalem.
The prospect of doing what King Herod said, of going and "searching diligently" for the young Child in Bethlehem was daunting. It would be like looking for the proverbial needle in a haystack!
The Scriptures clearly reveal to us how happy those Magi were when they once again saw that star after Herod sent them on their way: "When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceedingly great joy." How overjoyed they were that the way to the Savior was now as clear as day!
We join the wise men in their great joy, for just as clearly as God showed them the way to Jesus, He has also shown us the way to salvation. It lies in Jesus Himself. He is "the Way, the Truth, and the Life."
