The wise men came from the East seeking to find the King. The story of Jesus’ birth is more than a Christmas story. It is a call to recognize Christ as King and align our lives with His purposes.
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, saying, “Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the East and have come to worship Him.” Matthew 2:1-2
Now when they had departed, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream, saying, “Arise, take the young Child and His mother, flee to Egypt, and stay there until I bring you word; for Herod will seek the young Child to destroy Him.”
When he arose, he took the young Child and His mother by night and departed for Egypt, 15 and was there until the death of Herod, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying, “Out of Egypt I called My Son.”
Then Herod, when he saw that he was deceived by the wise men, was exceedingly angry; and he sent forth and put to death all the male children who were in Bethlehem and in all its districts, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had determined from the wise men. Matthew 2:13-16
Jesus was born under the very noses of the Pharisees and Sadducees, yet they failed to notice or recognize Him. In contrast, the wise men—outsiders from a distant land—journeyed far, seeking the King of the Jews to worship Him. This contrast highlights a powerful truth: being in close proximity to religious knowledge does not guarantee spiritual revelation. The religious leaders of Jesus’ time had extensive knowledge but lacked the revelation of who Jesus truly was, even as He walked among them. Surprisingly, it was often the illiterate and uneducated who accepted Him more readily and believed in His identity.
Do you rely on your knowledge, lineage, or associations for understanding the things of God? Or do you rely on revelation from above that leads you into all truth?
The wise men sought King Herod, asking about the King of the Jews. This inquiry deeply unsettled Herod, who felt so threatened by the birth of this baby that he ordered the massacre of boys under the age of two in an attempt to eliminate Jesus. How could a baby be so intimidating? Did Herod ever pause to consider the lineage or divine authority that made this child the rightful King of the Jews?
In John 10:10, Jesus reminds us that the enemy comes to steal, kill, and destroy. The enemy is always threatened by those who worship the King of Kings and seeks to destroy the seed of salvation in its infancy. He attempted to extinguish the life of Jesus before He could grow and fulfill the Father’s mission—and he continues to try steal the believer’s faith.
Do you recognize when the enemy tries to steal your faith? Do you discern when the cares of life come to choke your spiritual life? Do you diligently weed out those things that are not from the Lord in order to keep your heart soft and pliable before God?
Thankfully, God warned Mary and Joseph in a dream about Herod’s plan, and they fled to Egypt to protect Jesus. This journey must have been incredibly inconvenient—traveling a long distance with a baby on a donkey—but it was necessary to preserve the promised Child. Similarly, God often provides us with a way of escape from temptation and the schemes of the enemy. The key is to remain attuned to His voice and obedient to His instructions.
Sometimes, protecting what God has entrusted to us requires distancing ourselves from certain people, places, or situations. It may feel isolating for a time, and it may come at a cost. Yet, if God has directed the path, He will provide the grace to walk through it until He opens new doors.
Mary and Joseph were entrusted with the care of the King of Kings, and their careful obedience ensured His safety and future mission. Likewise, God has entrusted each of us with His seed of life. Are you stewarding well what He has placed in your life? Are you protective of the call He has given you? We are all carriers of His life and purpose, and we are called to nurture and steward it for His glory.
Will we, like the wise men, seek Him with a heart of worship? Will we, like Joseph, trust and obey God’s leading even when it’s difficult?
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