Praise the KING of the JEWS
“Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem, saying, ‘Where is He who has been born KING OF THE JEWS? For we saw His star in the east and have come to worship Him.'”
If you haven’t read Matthew 2:1-12 in a while, open your Bible and read it as if you’d never before laid eyes on the passage. It’s a remarkable account. King Herod learns from magi from another country, who are passing through Jerusalem, that the King of the Jews has been born. Is he pleased that another KING has been born? No! Matthew 2:3 says King Herod was “troubled” to learn that the KING OF THE JEWS had been born. But he was more than troubled. Matthew 2:16 says he was enraged. Over the infant Jesus? Yes.
Contrast Herod with the Wise Men who “rejoiced exceedingly with great joy” when they saw Jesus; who “fell to the ground and worshipped baby Jesus;” who presented to Him costly “treasured gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.”
Enraged that the King of the Jews had been born, King Herod had all males two years old and under who were born in Bethlehem and its vicinity murdered. Did he kill Jesus? No. God had warned Joseph to take Mary and Jesus and flee to Egypt.
At Christmas, we celebrate the birth of the King of the Jews. But not just the King of the Jews. Jesus is our King, also. May nothing deter us from being as the Wise Men, from rejoicing over His birth; from falling on our knees and worshipping Him.
KING of the JEWS, KING OF KINGS, it is a joy to fall before You, to worship and adore You. Use us to spread the good news of Your birth to those who are troubled; to those who are enraged; that they may find peace and joy in You as we have.