When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he demanded of them where Christ should be born.-Matthew 2:3, 4 (KJV)
The Bible says that after Jesus was born in Bethlehem that wise men came from the east seeking Him so that they might worship Him. Who were these men and how did they know of Christ’s coming? Most likely they were astronomers, not to be confused with astrologers. There is a vast difference between the two. These men had observed in the heavens a wondrous sign that they believed heralded the divine pronouncement of a new born king. As they followed the star it leads them to the land of Israel. Once there they innocently inquired of King Herod where they could find the new born king that they might worship Him.
Herod and those around him failed to see that the coming of the Messiah was different than any other king’s appearance. King’s aren’t born in stables to poor and insignificant people, but rather kings are born into wealth, power, and privilege. God did this in a way that allowed the world, all people, to identify with Christ’s coming. Since when has God worked His will in ways that made sense to us? God is not required to do anything in a manner that makes sense to the world. He is God, and He will accomplish His will and purposes as He sees fit.
The wise men believed despite the unbelief that was all around them. The question for us is will we do likewise? Will we believe and hold to the truth regardless of the scoffers and those who refuse to believe? Do the righteous live by what we see or are we to live by faith? The Bible says that we as followers of Christ are to live by faith. Faith takes us above what we see to what the Word of God says and what the Holy Spirit confirms in our hearts. We worship the Lord and we hold to our faith regardless of what the world says or believes.
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