What was that Star?

Before you start todays devotional, ask the Lord to use it to grow you up in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

If there was one thing Herod the Great would not tolerate, it was competition. When these wise men came to Jerusalem in search of the new king, Herod went on the defense. History proved he’d do anything to protect his throne.

We don’t know how many there were, but only three wise men (as the song goes) wouldn’t have caused a ruckus. More than likely, there were 300 or more wise men. Herod, the old serpent, pretended to want to worship this new king with the wise men and made them promise to tell him where they found him (so he could eliminate the competition).

By the time the wise men arrived in Jerusalem, the tax enrollment was over and the crowds had gone home. In the meantime, Joseph had moved his family into a house and that’s where they found Mary and toddler Jesus. The wise men didn’t have to search long; the star stood over the house where Jesus lived.

If there ever was a time when Mary could have been worshipped, this was it. But the wise men didn’t worship her—they worshipped Jesus and brought Him gifts suitable for Jesus’ mission.

Gold speaks of Jesus’ birth as a king.

Frankincense speaks of the fragrance of His life.

Myrrh speaks of Jesus’ death, since He came to die. The Cross was always Jesus’ purpose for coming.

When it was time for the wise men to return home, God warned them in a dream not to tell Herod where Jesus was. God also warned Joseph that Herod would be seeking them out to kill Jesus and that they should hide in Egypt for a while.

As you would guess, Herod was so angry the wise men didn’t tell him where Jesus was that he killed all the baby boys under two years old in the vicinity of Bethlehem.

We’re not told how long Joseph, Mary, and Jesus lived in Egypt, but God faithfully kept them informed through a dream when Herod was dead and it was safe to return to Israel. But when Joseph learned that Herod’s son, Archelaus (a brutal man like his father), reigned in Judea, he was afraid to go back there. Once again, God directed their steps back to Nazareth, their hometown.

The Gospel of Matthew shows how literally, accurately, and easily Old Testament prophecies were fulfilled without any strain on history. It came about as God said it would.

1. How were Joseph and Mary used by God to protect Jesus and fulfill Old Testament prophecies?

2. What can we learn about worship from the gifts of the wise men?

3. Does it seem strange that an all-powerful God with legions of angels at His beck and call would protect His Son by having Him flee to a different country?

Additional Resources

Listen to Dr. J. Vernon McGee’s complete teachings on Matthew 2:1-11.