Wise men (magi) from the east journeyed to Jerusalem, the capital of Israel.  They were seeking to worship a baby born as “the King of the Jews.”

The sitting king, Herod the Great, heard and he became troubled.  No son had been born to him recently!  He called a meeting of the chief priests and scribes asking them where Messiah was to be born.  (Matthew 2:3-4)

Prophecy of Messiah’s birthplace (Micah 5:2)
(NIV) Matthew 2:6 “But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah;
for out of you, will come a ruler who will be the shepherd of my people Israel.”

Secret motives of Herod the Great
Herod then called the wise men to a secret meeting for he had a hidden motive.  (He wanted to kill the newborn King.)  He asked these men from a far eastern country the exact time the star first appeared to them.  Then he sent them to Bethlehem and proceeded to lie to them.  He said that his desire was to find the Child and go and worship him also.  (Matthew 2:7-8)

Sincere motives of the wise men
The star the wise men had followed led them to where the Child lived in Bethlehem.  How did these men respond when they found Jesus?  They openly rejoiced with great joy!  (Matthew 2:9-10)

Sincere motives of those seeking to find the living God will be honored by Him.  When we receive Jesus as our Savior, rejoicing follows!

Open worship of the wise men
After they found the Child and His mother, they fell to the ground and worshiped the Child.
They gave gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.  What expensive, costly gifts to give a child.
What costly gift do you give to Jesus when you worship Him?  (Matthew 2:11)

Wise men and women are open to God’s re-direction.
God warned these men in a dream to not go back to Herod or Jerusalem.  They wisely left by another road to go back to their homes.  (Matthew 2:12)

~ Take it to heart ~

The new year of 2017 is just a few days away.

Seek Jesus, He was born for you.

Follow God’s leading, His words are true.

Worship the living Messiah, King of kings.

Rejoice!  Jesus is Savior.

Rejoice!  Jesus is coming again as King over all kings.