The testimony of how did the gentile wise men receive the vision, search for and found the Lord

---By CK Jen, 2020/05/15

Matthew 2:1-12 recorded that the gentile wise men had seen the vision of the star which was the new born Jesus, then how they searched and found the Lord. When I read these verses, I asked the Lord, why did the Lord appear to them? How could they understand such a high vision connecting a star to the new born Jesus that given by the Lord? In fact, the inspiration given to me by the Lord actually shocked me. It is written in this fellowship.

Matt. 2:1 Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem,

Matt. 2:2 saying,"Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him."

Matt. 2:12 And being warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed to their own country by another way.

Matt. 2:16 Then Herod, when he saw that he had been tricked by the wise men, became furious, and he sent and killed all the male children in Bethlehem and in all that region who were two years old or under, according to the time that he had ascertained from the wise men.

Matt. 2:1 and Matt. 2:16 mentioned that these gentile wise men followed "that star: He who has been born king of the Jews - Jesus (Matt. 2:2)" from a far distant east to the land of Judea. After they saw the child Jesus, then they returned to where they were in the east. If one can calculate their travel time from Matt. 2:16 "two years old or under...", it is expected that they spent about three years (1.5 years x2) or more for this journey. It also means that they left their homes, families, relatives, works, futures, etc to search for the baby or child Jesus for three years or more. It is also believed that through this long journey they must have met many hardships and even life threatening dangers. To us, as what an example they represented, they were almost not afraid of paying any costs to pursue the Lord. Are we, also our children, willing to follow the Lord like them? These wise men had such a pure and submissive heart to the Lord.

The verses in Matthew also indicated that these wise men did not ask for any reward from the Lord. Are we willing to pursue the Lord like them? In addition, gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh were offered to child Jesus (Matt. 2:11) indicated that they went to seek the Lord not empty handed. Wow! What a testimony and an example. I believe that because of their pure heart, God bestowed these wise men such a high vision: a special star (it existed because of the born of Jesus) connecting Lord Jesus - king of Jews. Not only they could see the star, but also understood what it meant, and followed it. How about me and you?

Matt. 2:11 And going into the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh.

Matt. 2:9 indicates that they did not follow closely "the star" and went into the city of Jerusalem. It also meant that "the star" disappeared during that period of time. Why did they go into the Jerusalem? From a geographical location, Jesus was in Bethlehem, which was about 10 kilometers southwest of the city of Jerusalem. According to Abraham's route from the East to the Jewish Land, it was likely that these wise men would have to pass or pass by the city of Jerusalem from the side. These wise men might think that in the city of Jerusalem - a place where everyone recognized at that time was a center for worshipping God: there were priests, scribes, and elders, a holy temple who would definitely guide them to find Jesus. But Matt. 2:3-7,16 clearly mentioned that these religious people did have the knowledge including biblical scriptures, but not have a heart, a living and an operation to pursue the Christ (Lord Jesus). The politicians at that time were also selfish and ignorant of God. During this fellowship, I do not want to write more about these religious people (sometimes we are like them too) and politicians. But there is an important point to mark out that these wise men left the leading of "the star" although unintentionally, thought that the "Jews who loved God" in Jerusalem would guide them to find "the Christ of Jesus", but the result was"death mentioned in Matt. 2:16", although we do not know how many boys were killed. It is very alert to remind me that if we do not follow the Lord's leading to live with the saints, it is likely to bring in "death - the saints will not be able to obtain Lord's life that is wasting their time - life".

Matt. 2:9 After listening to the king, they went on their way. And behold, the star that they had seen when it rose went before them until it came to rest over the place where the child was.

Matt. 2:3 When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him;

Matt. 2:4 and assembling all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born.

Matt. 2:5 They told him, "In Bethlehem of Judea, for so it is written by the prophet:

Matt. 2:6 "'And you, O Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for from you shall come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel.'"

Matt. 2:7 Then Herod summoned the wise men secretly and ascertained from them what time the star had appeared.

Matt. 2:8 And he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, "Go and search diligently for the child, and when you have found him, bring me word, that I too may come and worship him."

As soon as these wise men came out of the city of Jerusalem (religious men and politicians - they represented the religious world and current crooked world), the "star" appeared in front of them again to guide them. They rejoiced exceedingly with great joy (Matt. 2:10). The star guided them to Bethlehem where Jesus was (Matt. 2:9). Our God is indeed so faithful.

Matt. 2:10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy.

Matt. 2:11 recorded that these wise men entered the house and saw Jesus who was a child (mentioned before Mary; a man of God) and his mother Mary (mentioned after the Jesus; a man), they fell down and worshiped Jesus (to the Lord, not to a man: Mary or Joseph), and offered gifts (gold, frankincense, myrrh) to Jesus. From another perspective, when these wise men pursued the Lord in this way, along the long journey, they would have experienced the death (myrrh) of the Lord, the resurrection of the Lord (frankincense) and been constituted with the life of the Lord (gold). Therefore, the gifts which they offered to the Lord were received or constituted spontaneously in their living pursuing the Lord. What a grace, what a testimony and what a living. God knew the evils and traps of the world, forgave their (our) weakness (entering the city of Jerusalem to ask, not following "the star" closely), and guided them back to the east. I believe, after their returning to homeland, they would testify among the gentiles around them, and present and live many genuine testimonies of the Lord. Hallelujah!

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