Today’s reading is found in Matthew 2:1-6 (NLT)
Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the reign of King Herod. About that time some wise men from eastern lands arrived in Jerusalem, asking, “Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We saw his star as it rose, and we have come to worship him.”
King Herod was deeply disturbed when he heard this, as was everyone in Jerusalem. He called a meeting of the leading priests and teachers of religious law and asked, “Where is the Messiah supposed to be born?”
“In Bethlehem in Judea,” they said, “for this is what the prophet wrote:
‘And you, O Bethlehem in the land of Judah,
are not least among the ruling cities of Judah,
for a ruler will come from you
who will be the shepherd for my people Israel.’”
The wise men were watching and saw something that piqued their curiosity. Scripture doesn’t give us much information about these wise men, but we know that they saw a star and followed where it led them.
The news of a newborn king of the Jews “deeply disturbed” King Herod. Peace was the last thing on his mind. Even more interesting than King Herod being upset by this news was the fact that everyone in Jerusalem was disturbed by this news. Was it because they feared what King Herod might do? Herod knew that he wasn’t the rightful heir to the throne of Israel.
The Messiah was, and the star had led the wise men straight to the location of the newborn king.
Take some time today to focus your mind on Christ, the Messiah, and consider this question:
Recall a time when you saw the power of God at work in your life.