Mat0209-11 The Wise Men's Visit.jpg
Wise Men From The East
 
When Baby Jesus was 40 days old Mary and Joseph took Him to Jerusalem. At the temple they made a sacrifice of two turtle doves which was to make Mary pure again after having a child. This they did in accordance to the law of Moses. While there they also had baby Jesus dedicated to the Lord, which is what most Israelite parents did for their child.

At this time there was an old man living in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon. Simeon was a just, devout man who loved God. The Holy Ghost haD told Simeon that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord's Christ. While Joseph and Mary were at the temple he came in also.

The Holy Spirit told him that this was the Christ. Simeon asked if he could hold baby Jesus, to which Mary agreed. Then he blessed God, saying that he could now die in peace for his eyes had the Christ. He said that Christ would be a light to lighten the Gentiles and the glory of thy people Israel.

Joseph and Mary did not understand what Simeon said, and wondered over his words. Then Simeon blessed Mary, telling her among other things that a sword would also pierce through her soul. They wondered what this meant too, but Simeon was handing back baby Jesus.

As Simeon was finishing his blessing on Mary another lady walked into the temple. Her name was Anna. She was a very old lady and a prophetess. She confirmed Simeon's testimony concerning Christ. She poured out her heartfelt thanks to God that she had been permitted to behold Christ the Lord.

Meanwhile, wise men from the east, who studied the stars had seen a new star. It was not a real star but the angels that had appeared to the shepherds. After doing much research they discovered in the writings of Balaam and Daniel that at about this time a new King of the Jews was to be born. They gathered together some gifts for the new king, and all the things they would need for the long journey and headed off.

As they could only see the star at night, it was necessary for them to travel at night. This meant that they had to rest during the day. On and on they followed the star. Finally the star led them to the city of Jerusalem and hovered over the temple, then disappeared from view.

The wise men expected the news of the birth of the new King to be on everyone's lips. However, nobody seemed to know anything about a new King being born. Instead of people being happy about the new King they were surprised and a little afraid, and some were even rude at what they thought were stupid questions. Puzzled the men made their way to the temple. Surely the priests and rabbis would know about it. Upon questioning them the wise men found out they new as little as the people.

News of the wise men and their mission to find the new King of the Jews reached Herod. He had killed quite a few people to get upon the throne and he did not like the thought of a new King being born. He summonsed the chief priests and scribes and demanded to know where this new King of the Jews was to be born. They told him in Bethlehem, Judah.

King Herod made up a plan to find the baby so that he could kill it. Cunningly he invited the wise men for a private interview. He told them where the child would be born. Then asked them that when they find Him could they let him know where the child is so that he could go a worship Him too. To this the wise men agreed.

Night was falling as the wise men left Jerusalem. As it got darker they once again saw the star and followed it to Bethlehem. It stopped over the place where Mary and Joseph were. The wise men were a little disappointed. There were no guards, or important people there. Although, they did find baby Jesus cradled in a manger. His parents, uneducated peasants, were His only guardians. Could this be the King they were looking for? Yes!

Beneath the lowly guise of Jesus, they recognized the presence of Divinity. They bowed low and worshiped the King of the Jews and gave Him their gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.

That night in a dream God warned the wise men that Herod meant to do the child harm and that they should not speak to him again. So they arose and went back to their own country a different way. They did not go back to Jerusalem and tell Herod where the child was.

God used two old people to bless the child Jesus. He also used wise men from another country to bring the attention of the Jews to their new king. Sometimes God does use the people we think He should to deliver a message. If the message is in accordance with the whole Bible, then we can be sure it is from God and should accept it no matter who brings it.

(Matthew 2:1-12. Luke 2:22-38. Jesuspriv)

이 게시물을...


추천 비추천


BIBLE - WEB, KJV, ASV(Quiz), NIV,
개역한글KHRV( 120일1독, 1년1독, 권별, 성경통독 )
STUDY - 구절(WESLEY), 단락(MATTHEW), 테마별,
Dictionary - Chapter, OT구약, NT신약, 읽기(Wayne), 소요리, 대요리 문답, 신앙고백WCF

성경연대표 1.창조 2.족장 3.출애굽 4.광야 5.정복 6.사사 7.통일왕국 8.분열왕국 9.포로 10.포로귀환 11.중간 12.예수 13.초대교회 14.세계선교

http://subkorea.com/xe/140774
(*.185.6.74)