Once Upon A Star

[focal Matthew 2:6-12] "And thou Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, art not the least among the princes of Judah: for out of thee shall come a Governor, that shall rule my people Israel. [7] Then Herod, when he had privily called the wise men, inquired of them diligently what time the star appeared. [8]  And he sent them to Bethlehem, and said, Go and search diligently for the young child; and when ye have found him, bring me word again, that I may come and worship him also. [9] When they had heard the king, they departed; and, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was. [10]  When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy. [11]  And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh. [12]  And being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way."

Who were these "wise men", these magos {pronounced mag'-os} who came to see this poor Child born of poor parents? In fact, who were each of the players in this story that we all seem to know so well?

We like to think we know who the other players in this story were, but do we? Who was Herod? Herod was the evil "puppet King" who ruled Israel for Rome - at least, that's how history portrays him. Born in Idumea, a tribal state south of Judea, Herod had bloodily fought his way to the top, till the Roman Emperor gave him the responsibility and honor of being Tetrarch, Client King over Judah and thus ruler of Israel. Herod was hated by all Israel, for he had no clear lineage in Judah. He was not of the ruling House of David, but was considered a "usurper", one who took control where he had no legal nor moral authority.

Yes, Herod the Great fought his way to the top, to the Throne of Israel. Though a Gentile, without a doubt he had the ear of Rome, of the powers that were, the powers that controlled the vast Empire - and Herod intended to keep that Throne. Herod did all that he could, both politically and militarily, to maintain his power and position. In fact, he was instrumental in rebuilding the Temple of God - if not to the wondrous beauty that it had as Solomon's Temple of years gone by - still it was much greater and more beautiful than the Temple that Zerubbabel built in 520 BC. But even with the rebuilding of the Temple, Herod was still hated. The Throne that he took by political intrigue and murder, that Throne was still in danger of being taken away from him by these same means. Thus Herod watched, and guarded what was his. As a dog guards his bone, Herod guarded his Throne, ready to snap and devour any enemy at the slightest provocation.

One day as Herod was sitting on his Throne, he heard that there were three  magos {pronounced mag'-os} in Jerusalem asking strange questions. These three men had come from the east, following a star that let them know that the "King of the Jews" was soon to be born. King of the Jews? King of the Jews? When Herod heard this, when word of their questioning reached his Throne, Herod was livid. There would be no "King of the Jews" but him! Whoever this usurper was, He must certainly die!

[Matthew 2:8] "And he sent them to Bethlehem, and said, Go and search diligently for the young child; and when ye have found him, bring me word again, that I may come and worship him also."

So Herod called these magos, these "wise men" cloaked in mystery to his inner court, and asked them to report back to him where this "King" was at so he could, too, "worship" Him. Of course, Herod had no intention of worshipping the true King, but wanted Him to die - but that is the lie that Herod told the magos. We all want to vilify Herod because - here was the Christ - and all he could do was think of himself - yet truthfully, are we not all the same in many ways? This Christmas did we keep Christ first and foremost in our minds, did we worship Him, did we love Him with all our hearts - or did we get sidetracked by commercialism. Did we forget Him who came to die for us while we concentrated on "presents", both buying and giving them?

Consider this great truth, and praise the Father for the beauty that is Christmas, the beauty that is our Savior! Herod was a Gentile, not of Israel, but Lord and King (by his cunning) over Israel. These three magos, these "wise men" were all Gentiles, coming from the east, but not out of Israel. All of the principle players in our story to this point were not of the chosen, the privileged of Israel. They were not of the priestly tribe of Levi, nor of the ruling tribe of Judah, but were from "outside the fold" of Israel - Gentiles, despised and rejected by the average Israelite. This is important, a Truth that we must reach out and take to ourselves. We must, this Christmas, focus not on the commercialism, but on the wondrous truth that that Baby in the manger came for ALL people, not just for a select few. Herod, Gentile and heathen that he was, had the opportunity to receive the Child and with it eternal life - yet rejected the Child for the Power of his office, for the Things of the world. The magos, the "wise men", on the other hand - just as much Gentiles as Herod was - were seeking God, and presented with a trail of stardust that led them all the way to the Christ.

It is not "who you are", nor how rich you are. Position and privilege have no bearing on it. The gift of eternal life and peace can only come on those willing to TURN from their own desires and unto the Child of the manger.

Most who have considered this question have come to the conclusion that these were astrologers, men who studied the skies and the stars - seeking God in the heavens. Many of these people were pagan, not worshipping the True God, but were seekers of God. These three men, perhaps, one day as they were studying the heavens saw a star, a Bright Star, and recognizing it as special opened up their hearts to the One True God.

You see, the soul of man does not have to be won to Christ in the midst of a Church meeting, while the preacher preaches. The soul of man can be won to Christ, led to Christ when that soul realizes that the gods we follow are but hollow imitations of the True God. These astrologers, worshippers of the heavens, saw a Bright Star and, with hearts opened to the True God, began to follow that Star. They left their pagan courts, left their pagan kings, left their pagan country and began to follow the phenomenon, the Star. God reaches out and touches those who seek Him with all their hearts. As He has said,

[Proverbs 8:17]  "I love them that love me; and those that seek me early shall find me."

[Jeremiah 29:13]  "And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart."

That is God's promise to us all, "If you seek Me, you'll find Me". The wise men sought God in the Star, and the True God led them to the True Christ. Though they were Gentiles, they sought God and found Him. Though they were pagan, and under pagan ways, they sought God and found Him. The wise men, who are yet without names, had a new name written for them in Heaven because they followed after and found the Son of God. Herod who sought a great name, sought riches, and power, and a Throne that was not morally his - and never found Jesus. Though we know his name, and not the names of the magos, he rests in eternal damnation while the magos rest in eternal bliss.

Herod could have sought God through the Star and found Jesus, but did not - because he was so busy seeking other things.

Herod sought hatred, and destruction, and power, and found all three. How many in our society have done the same thing, to their eternal damnation?

The wise men sought a King, and a Priest, and a Sacrifice, and found salvation in Jesus.

[Matthew 2:9-10] "When they had heard the king, they departed; and, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was. [10]  When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy."

Have you ever lost something precious, looked diligently for it, and then - when it seemed like all hope was lost - found it? If it was something invaluable, irreplaceable, then the finding would be much more precious. The magos, the wise men had come from a long ways. They had traveled through lush areas, and through sandy deserts. They had been full, and been without water. The journey had not been easy, but as they journeyed they realized - with each succeeding step - that what they were seeking was something, Someone that they MUST have. Earlier in the pagan courts they were satisfied watching the heavens, foretelling the future through pagan oracles to a pagan king. But now, as they traveled, they became more and more aware of how hollow their lives had been Before. The gods they had followed, these gods were but shadows. And as they followed that Star, it was with an increasing awareness that they were going to find Truth, the True God.

So they were excited. They followed the Star with growing wonder, and a growing understanding that they were so needy, so ready for Christ. Then, almost as if it were in a moment, they watched as the Star ceased it's travel, and stood over the Child.

It is impossible for me to explain the rejoicing that the wise men did unless you, like I, have found Christ. The Bible says that these men "rejoiced with exceeding great joy". Literally, they:

It is impossible to convey the depth of the meaning of this text in the English, but I will try. The men went into an ecstasy of joy. After a hard and arduous journey, they had finally reached the goal, and the goal was much more than they had expected. They followed a few pebbles of gold down the stream, and found the mother lode, a huge wall of gold. They were hungry, starving for food, and walked into a "free, all you can eat" banquet hall. They were lonely, without companionship, and God made for them an Eve, the most beautiful woman in the world. They were lost, recognizing their hopeless estate before the True God, holy and pure, and found Salvation.

These men, seekers, pagan, Gentiles, found all that they had been seeking - and more. Is it little wonder that they stopped at the end of their search and had a party?  Here He was, finally .... the Lord whom they had sought! Here He was, finally, God incarnate, Jesus Christ, Lord of all creation!

[Matthew 2:11] "And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh."

The wise men came into the meager stable where Jesus lay, and their first response was to fall down and worship [proskuneo {pronounced pros-koo-neh'-o}] Him. I have often heard people say that they can't wait to get the Heaven and ask Jesus certain questions. I, too, have made this statement, and in my arrogance have believed that I would get to Heaven and see Jesus, go up to Him, and ask Him questions. I am sure that we will be able to ask Him questions, and receive full answers, in the hereafter, in the sweet bye and bye. But, truthfully, when we see Jesus in His glory, when we enter the House of Heaven, we, like the wise men, will only be able to fall down and worship Him. Just as the wise men fell down and worshipped that Baby in the poor manger, we shall fall down and worship the nail scarred King of all Creation. We'll have no choice, as we regard Him in infinity!

After worshipping Jesus, the three wise men offered Jesus three gifts, all befitting Who He was and is and shall ever be. They KNEW Who Jesus was, for they had been seeking Him. Jesus was appropriate to what they they offered Him:

1. Gold, a gift befitting a King. Gold, pure and precious because it is refined, and rare, is a gift, the only gift, that a King could truly appreciate. That Baby was and is the King of the Jews, the King of all Creation, and certainly due a gift befitting a King. Jesus was of the Tribe of Judah, with clear lineage all the way back to King David. As Eternal God, He could fulfill the promise that God made to Israel:

[Isaiah 9:6-7] "For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. [7]  Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this."

This Child would grow up, and one day sit on the Throne of David for all eternity. He would not just be King of the Jews for a lifetime, but King of the Jews into eternity. The gold that was offered the King, yes, it was befitting - for this Child would be King for all eternity.

2. Frankincense, a gift befitting a Priest. Frankincense was used by the Levites, those of the Tribe of Levi, to make offering to God upon His altar. Frankincense was usually placed on top of the burnt offering, so that it's smoke could go up to God, symbolizing the prayers of thanksgiving being lifted up to Heaven. Frankincense was NEVER placed on a sin offering:

[Leviticus 5:11]  "But if he be not able to bring two turtledoves, or two young pigeons, then he that sinned shall bring for his offering the tenth part of an ephah of fine flour for a sin offering; he shall put no oil upon it, neither shall he put any frankincense thereon: for it is a sin offering."

... for frankincense, as it burned, offered a beautiful smell - and sin was an offense to both God and the people. No, frankincense was offered by the priest on behalf of the people in RECOGNITION of God, in WORSHIP of God, in THANKSGIVING to God our Father. Frankincense, a rare and costly incense, symbolized the devotion that the priest of Levi offered to God on behalf of Israel, His people.

Jesus was offered frankincense by the wise men because, He was and is both King of all creation, and our One Priest that stands between us and the Godhead. The Kingship and Priesthood of Israel were divided between two tribes, Judah and Levi - but now these two vital functions come together in Jesus Christ our Lord.

[Hebrews 7:20-24] "And inasmuch as not without an oath he was made priest: [21]  (For those priests were made without an oath; but this with an oath by him that said unto him, The Lord sware and will not repent, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek:) [22]  By so much was Jesus made a surety of a better testament. [23]  And they truly were many priests, because they were not suffered to continue by reason of death: [24]  But this man, because he continueth ever, hath an unchangeable priesthood."

What better gift to give to a Priest than frankincense? Israel could not offer praise to God through the offering without frankincense, and Jesus - beloved, Eternal Priest, would sit down on the right hand of God the Father and offer our praises to Him. Our High Priest would never change, but the Child would live forever more making intercession for us. Praise Him! Praise Him! Ever in joyful song!

3. And, finally, the wise men offered Jesus myrrh, a gift befitting a sacrifice. Myrrh is a bitter gum and a costly perfume which is taken from a certain tree or shrub in Arabia and Ethiopia. Myrrh can only be obtained by making incisions in the bark, cutting and wounding the tree, driving spikes into the tree then taking the precious Blood out of it.

Myrrh was used for embalming the dead, for it's fragrance often masked the odor of decay. The wise men gave Jesus myrrh, foretelling the truth that He would one day have to die to make payment for our sins.

Our Lord Jesus was given myrrh as He lay in the manger. The next time He would be offered myrrh, it would be offered not by wise men, but by his executioners:

[Mark 15:22-23] "And they bring him unto the place Golgotha, which is, being interpreted, The place of a skull. [23]  And they gave him to drink wine mingled with myrrh: but he received it not."

Though Jesus would not refuse the first offering of myrrh (for He was yet a baby), He would refuse the second offering. Just as it were with frankincense, myrrh was a beautiful aromatic perfume - and Jesus knew that He was being offered up as an eternal Sin Offering for us. This Offering could not be, could NOT be beautiful. There was nothing attractive here, but the Offering was a payment due to God ... for us. As the writer of Hebrews said:

[Hebrews 9:24-28]  "For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us: [25]  Nor yet that he should offer himself often, as the high priest entereth into the holy place every year with blood of others; [26]  For then must he often have suffered since the foundation of the world: but now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself. [27]  And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment: [28]  So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation."

The first offering of myrrh was prophetically accepted, the second offering rejected by the Son Himself, and the third offering of myrrh was placed on the Body of the Son:

[John 19:39-42]   "And there came also Nicodemus, which at the first came to Jesus by night, and brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about an hundred pound weight. [40]  Then took they the body of Jesus, and wound it in linen clothes with the spices, as the manner of the Jews is to bury. [41]  Now in the place where he was crucified there was a garden; and in the garden a new sepulcher, wherein was never man yet laid. [42]  There laid they Jesus therefore because of the Jews' preparation day; for the sepulcher was nigh at hand."

... for, all believed, this Jesus, this Child, was dead and gone forever. The Body must be embalmed, and wrapped, for this Jesus - Whom we loved - He was taken from us. Yet the third offering of myrrh was proven to be given in haste, for three days later our Lord rose again.

[Matthew 2:12]  And being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way."

The new Life which came down to man in the stable, came back to man from the grave. And we, who have accepted Christ as Savior, we stand changed forever. Just as the wise men, these mysterious men from the east, went back to their "own country another way", we who have met Jesus as Lord and Savior have forever been changed. You cannot meet Jesus and not be changed, if you seek Him, if you are willing. Herod that old fool had the opportunity for eternal life. He could have met Jesus and "went back another way", but instead he chose to cling to the evil that engulfed him. Herod died a sinner's death, and resides in history and hellfire as a cruel despot who killed all the babies in Bethlehem. What a way to be remembered! The wise men, however, met Jesus. He changed their lives and, though they went back to their country, they "went back another way".

You can't meet Jesus and not be changed. You can't seek Him, and not be rewarded with growth, with blessing, with change. Are you frightened? Meet Jesus - you'll go back another way. Are you lonely? Meet Jesus, you'll go back another way. Are you lost? Meet Jesus, you'll go back another way.

For only in Jesus Christ, that Child, that King, that Priest, that Sacrifice, can you leave a life of emptiness, and find a life of growth, peace, happiness, and contentment. My prayer is that you meet Jesus this holiday season. God Bless!

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