Foreigners in Town
Opening Prayer
Shut out the distractions and turn your heart to Jesus this Christmas Eve. Worship and bow down to him.
Read Matthew 2:1-12
[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.” [3] When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him. [4] When he had called together all the people’s chief priests and teachers of the law, he asked them where the Messiah was to be born. [5] “In Bethlehem in Judea,” they replied, “for this is what the prophet has written: [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 shepherd my people Israel.'” [7] Then Herod called the Magi secretly and found out from them the exact time the star had appeared. [8] He sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search carefully for the child. As soon as you find him, report to me, so that I too may go and worship him.” [9] After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen when it rose went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. [10] When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. [11] On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. [12] And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route. Scripture taken from the THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION, NIV Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Reflect
What does the visit of the Magi signify?Although the Magi, or wise men, appear on many Christmas cards, they did not come at Jesus’ birth but about eighteen months later. There weren’t necessarily three of them, and they weren’t kings, as popularly portrayed. But even so, picture the consternation that is caused in the tiny village of Bethlehem. The Magi undoubtedly have a retinue of servants, with camels, baggage, and tents. And they are most certainly foreigners and not Jews. These important visitors have come to see a very special King (2). They saw the star that told them of his birth and have traveled many months just to worship him. Matthew here uses a word that means to prostrate oneself, as being humble and unworthy (“bowed down,” 11). No wonder Herod is worried about this new King (3) and tries to discover where he is. But the Magi outwit Herod (12). Some of Matthew’s Jewish readers might feel uncomfortable knowing that the Magi, who are Gentiles, are worshiping “their” Messiah. Matthew wants to show that this new faith is for all–for Gentiles as well as Jews.
Apply
When have you been most surprised by a person whom Christ chose to bring to faith in him?
Closing prayer
Thank God that you are welcome, whoever you are, to join in the worship of King Jesus this Christmas Day.
Click here to sign up to receive the EXTRAs via email each quarter.
© 2024 Scripture Union U.S.A. All rights reserved. Reproduction of the whole or any part of the contents without written permission is prohibited.
Discovery is published in the USA under license from Scripture Union England and Wales, Trinity House, Opal Court, Opal Drive, Fox Milne, Milton Keynes, MK15 0DF.