May 17, 2024
Please use the comment section on this page to share insights from today’s reading OR your own personal Bible reading.
Reading along with us in Matthew? Here’s today’s reading:
Matthew 2 (NIV)
The Magi Visit the Messiah
1 After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem 2 and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.”……Continue Reading
Matthew 2.
Matthew 2: So much fulfillment of prophecy…again clearly referenced for the Jewish audience that Matthew was primarily writing for at the time…
Matthew 2
Lost my comment!
hate when that happens!
Matthew 1-2.
Similarities to Genesis and Abraham. God at work in Dreams, Angels and people, 2 flights to Egypt eventually coming out of Egypt to and from Israel. But a clear contrast is that prophecy was fulfilled with Jesus.
”Then, being divinely warned in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed for their own country another way.“
Matthew 2:12 NKJV
God intervenes in politics to preserve the life of His Son. Gods plan is for nations and kingdoms and people. It is spiritual and physical. As Christians and a church body we should be paying attention to politics, praying and participating. We should not cowtow to policies and culture that violate God’s law. They are intertwined. Why do we believe the lie that we should separate faith and government? I think what is happening now is because of this lie that we have bought, instead of fought.
True, as long as we keep the gospel the main thing!
Matthew 2
Matthew 2
The wise men come after Jesus was born to worship Him. They followed a star in the east. Many think that these wise men were Magi who knew the stars. { astronomy}. They also were aware of the prophets prediction that He would be born in Bethlehem. The star led them right to where Jesus was. Only Jesus was a child now. We don`t know exactly the age but we do know that Herod killed all the male children from 2 years and younger. So Jesus was probably at least 1and a half years old. Herod wanted to make sure that he killed Jesus. But God warned Joseph and he fled with his family. This is similar to what happened to Moses when he was saved and Pharoah killed all the male children 2 years and younger. But God also defeated that plan. Such wickedness to kill all the male babies 2 years and younger just to kill one male baby. In circumstances God kept moving Joseph and his family right to He wanted him to go. All in fulfillment of scripture. And ended in Nazareth.
What was the star? I think that it was a special thing that God did to lead the wise men to Jesus. Perhaps like God did in leading Israel from Egypt. Like a pillar of fire only a star giving His glory. It reappeared to them after they left Herod. There were 3 gifts but mostly not just 3 men. Probably their were many. It has been suggested that the three gifts represented three different things. Gold might represent His Deity or purity, incense the fragrance of His life, and myrrh His sacrifice and death{ myrrh was used for embalming}.
Amy, thank you for your wise counsel. The world is watching who the so-called “christians” will elect. Make no mistake, that will be OUR media-broadcast testimony around the world. Beware.
I am awestruck that Maggi looked for, detected, and sought Jesus in a generation where the Jews apparently did not care. Aptly said, “Wise men are still seeking Jesus.”
God ensured the wise men would not report to Herod, God moved in the affairs of men.
Once I thought God caused the “slaughter of the innocents,” since Herod fulfilled Jeremiah 31:15, funny the false stuff we are fed by well-meaning Christians! No, God predicted it, He did not ordain it. Herod had the hateful heart, he alone is responsible for the murders. There is more to this….
Joseph again was warned by God, on the very night of the Maggi’s wonderful visit, and by sunrise was on their way to Egypt. Joseph acts to save the life of Jesus.
Joseph returns to Israel, and fears the reigning king, God sends them to Nazareth of Galilee, Joseph always seeking the welfare of his son, in a world who wanted to kill Him from birth.
Praise God, Joseph, you inspire men of all generations! -reb
Please consider the implications of Jeremiah 31:16 &17 regarding these murdered children (read beyond the obvious). -reb
Jesus exerienced struggle on earth from the second of His birth. God clearly protected His son from that first second as well. Herrod was so driven by fear and pride that he was willing to slaughter so many innocent children to stop the Messiah…so tragic!
But God continued to intervene and continued to keep Jesus safe and led them to a place where He could grow up and get ready for what was to come.
Matthew 2. All the prophesy fulfilled is amazing.
Matthew 2
What better thing for the Father to give His Son on His birthday than a star. And as God would have it, those searching the stars for meaning in a foreign land observe and are drawn to follow and find Jesus. How significant when Gentiles get the revelation of God more than the Jews. And yet right from the beginning we see that Jesus is for Jew and Gentile. And through these wise men God makes financial provision as well as knowledge of what Herod is up to. But God takes it from there to protect His Son through His earthly father and guide the wisemen away from Herod. And Herod’s corrupt and brutal nature is revealed in what he does here. But the One who will save all humankind is saved and is directed to Nazareth so the prophecy would be true that He would be called a Nazarene,