Weekly devotions:

King is born

Text: Matt 2:1-4

"Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the King, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him. 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."-Matt 2:1-4.

The message of the birth of Christ reached out to God's chosen few. This message was carried out to them in miraculous ways. Last few weeks we spent time on the deliverance of the message through angels, to the Jews. Today however, God selects three wise men from different parts of the world. These people are referred to as wise men as they were people who studied the stars. They were equivalent to Philosophers and Scientists of our days. Just as we think such people are wise in these days these three were in that category in those days.

The scripture is silent as to why God wanted to reveal the birth of His Son specifically to these people and that too by a new star appearing in the sky. I can think of one connection of stars symbolically referring to angels made in the Book of Revelation.

Revelation 1:20, however, a deeper study of this verse applies to the priests in charge of the 7 churches referred in this context. Perhaps, these wise men being non-Jews and involved in star gazing would be better directed by an angel in the form of a star! After all, we know that angels can take many forms. and in this instance took a form of a star, to bring them along to the Manger. Satan, himself was an angel and is referred to as 'morning star', son of the dawn Isaiah 14:12 We find that, once the star leads them to the manger and they pay their respect to Christ, the new born king - in a dream they are warned not to return the same way and go back in a different route. No mention is made of the star any more. God's revelation reaches out to the ends of the world to a chosen few.

It is not your position , or how clever you are, but the choice is made purely on the state of your heart. If there was a ray of hope in your heart towards searching and finding God, you will find God will not let go of you, but through a series of events in your life will make you understand that He exists and will use any method to bring this home to you.

Are you searching for spiritual truth and matters concerning God? Then, He is able to reach out to you in amazing ways, just as God reached the three wise men (Maggi) from different parts of the world, speaking and guiding them in the language they knew, as they searched the skies for Him - the star guided these men to Christ - and although Jesus was found in a lowly crib and in a manger, they understood who He was - that Christ was the King of Kings, and they did worship Him, then and there.

Even as you search for the truth and you believe that God exists, may His light shine upon you and guide you to His presence as the star of wonder, star so bright did on the first Christmas guiding these three wise men whose lives were touched by the Almighty God.

Prayer

Lord Jesus Christ, as I spend time celebrating your birth during this season, make me understand who you are - that you are God incarnate who came into this world to save the world. I pray, that as you revealed yourself to these three wise men, you will reveal yourself to me also. Even though my faith is weak, may the Holy Spirit birth in me the true meaning of your coming into this world to save me. Lord Jesus, Help me to open my heart to you fully, and accept you as my Lord and Saviour. Amen

Sunitha Sahayam