Following Jesus’ Star
The night of Jesus’ birth, birthed another heavenly announcement. A star. Wise men from the east are following Jesus’ star.
In the far east, during the days of the Roman empire, wise men studied the stars. They watched the heavens with purpose. They sought meaning for life among the movements of the stars. The appearance of a new star grabbed their attention like nothing else could.
Before we go any further into the story, let’s take a moment to think about this star. We know that it takes time for light to travel. We don’t see this ‘traveling speed’ in our everyday lives. We turn on a switch and light appears. But the light from a star has to make its way across the expanse of space. It takes time for it to reach our eyes here on earth. So, God had to ignite that star at just the right time and distance for it to be visible for the first time the very night His Son took His first breath. Talk about planning!
Why God chose to ignite a new star to testify of His Son’s birth is beyond me. He used man’s superstitions for His purposes. And where the assumptions of a new star being discovered equaling a new king being born came from, we may never really know. I have no idea if it was ‘proved out’ in reality, but the people believed it; even Herod bought into it.
God uses visitors from the east, who noticed that change in the heavens, to provide for His Son’s next ‘adventure’. Let’s rejoin our story and watch how God works wonders.
Holy Spirit, lead this journey as clearly as You led the wise men’s journey. Don’t let me go searching for man’s wisdom though. It generally leads to problems.
♥ ♦ ♥
Joseph, Mary, and Jesus are settled into Bethlehem. They don’t have an exact plan of when it will be safe to return to Nazareth with the growing Jesus. They are taking things a day at a time. Joseph has found his skills in sufficient demand to care for his family. Not enough to become rich, but enough to put food on the table and clothes on the back of a growing baby.
Far in the east, from the moment of Jesus’ birth, another group of men have been alerted to the presence of a new King on earth. These men study the stars. They believe that the appearance of a new star represents the birth of a new king.
The night of Jesus’ birth, these men are studying the stars. They are tracking their path over time as well as marking their zenith. They know all the constellations and how they interact with one another. And they put great importance in the movements of all the stars.
As they watch the stars this seemingly insignificant night, a star appears in the west. It is brighter than all the other stars around it. It almost pulsates with a ‘look at me’ demand. Their attention is drawn to it immediately and they can’t take their eyes off of it.
“Look at that!” one exclaims, while pointing to the new star.
“I have never seen the birth of a star myself, but have heard tell of it” another breathes with awe and wonder.
For a full month, these men watch this single star.
“It’s amazing how all the other stars seem to move around this one star. It’s almost as if it has a fixed origin point. A place it is pointing to here on earth.”
“This HAS to mean that something significant has happened.”
“A king has been born. There is no other explanation.”
“It has to be a MIGHTY king for such a phenomenon to be placed into the heavens!”
“Then we HAVE to go and see this king.”
“We must bring Him gifts worthy of his future.”
That night it was decided. They will gather their gifts and start out the next evening, following the star wherever it leads. Travel is done mainly at night. Few, if any, stars are seen in the daytime because the brightness of the sun surpasses them. Each night the group of travelers has to wait for their guiding star to appear before setting off. It is not ordinarily an extended wait, as their guiding star is more brilliant than any other star. It even eclipses the North Star in brightness. But there are nights and seasons when they have to be patient, as clouds cover the sky and their star is hidden behind them.
Our intrepid astronomers plod on, night after night; making their way to the place where this star is drawing them. They don’t know their destination, only their desire to reach it.
“Do you think we will ever find the King this star is drawing us towards. It seems like we have been following it forever.”
“I know how you feel, but I KNOW in my heart that we WILL find this place and the person we are searching for.”
“How do you know?”
“I can’t explain it in words. I just KNOW.”
The others look at him and resolve to see this journey through to its conclusion. They plod on, with hope, faith and purpose.
It takes more than a year and a half for them to reach the outskirts of the nation of Israel. The star is nearer than ever before, but they haven’t found its final resting place.
“It looks like the star is resting over this small nation. Let’s find its king. Surely, the king will know where to find such an important person.”
“I wouldn’t doubt that it is his own son.”
This settled, they decide to travel in the daytime and find the king of this region. It doesn’t take too many inquiries or much time for these wise men to arrive at the palace of Herod. He is not really a king, but he is the closest these people have to one. Surely, he will know the events of his people.
At the gate, they are challenged by the guard. “What business do you have with King Herod?”
“We seek an audience with him. We have seen signs in the heavens that we must discuss with him.”
“Where do you hail from, that I may tell my king?”
“We are from the east; a great distance away. We study the stars and need to seek his wisdom.”
That did it. These men wanted Herod’s ‘wisdom’. Surely, he will grant them an audience after this flattery. “Wait here while I present your request to the king.”
While the guard is gone, the three talk amongst themselves.
“Do you think he will refuse us?”
“Not after your comment about ‘seeking his wisdom’. No self-important ruler could refuse such a ‘request’.”
The one who made the statement smiles. “I thought so too. That’s why I threw it in.”
“Do you think he will have an answer for us?”
“I would expect some kind of answer. Be on guard though. He may have ulterior motives in what he says.”
The guard returns and the men are ushered into the presence of Herod. They bow respectfully. Herod smiles inwardly as he sees this. “Men of all nations bow down before me” he thinks proudly to himself. He makes them wait for a full minute before addressing them. He is testing to see if they will be bold enough to speak before he gives them permission. If they do, that means they don’t hold believe he has full authority over them. He is pleased when they remain silent.
“I hear that you have come seeking wisdom from me. What is it that I may enlighten you on” Herod asks.
“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” (Matthew 2:2).
It takes everything in Herod not to jump up and shout, “I’ll KILL HIM!” Instead, he takes a deep breath and slowly lets it out. “I will have to consult the wise men of the region. Stay in Jerusalem until I call for you.”
While the men leave to find lodging in an inn, Herod calls for the priests and scribes.
Herod is pacing his throne room when the priests, scribe, and wise men of Judea appear before him. He waits for them all to assemble, because he does NOT want to repeat himself. “I had a visit today from men who have traveled from the east. They say that the King of the Jews has been born.” He paces a few minutes before turning back to the men assembled before him. “Tell me, where is the Christ to be born?”
The men all look to one another. No one spoke. Finally, the high priest steps forward. “Give us two days to search the scriptures and we will bring you an answer.”
As much as Herod wanted to wring the answer out of then right now, he recognized the wisdom of allowing them to search the scriptures. He narrows his eyes and says; “Two days’ time. Not a moment more.”
The men bow as one and scurry from the throne room. As soon as they are back at the Temple, the high priest assigns them all scrolls to search. “You will take Micah, you Isaiah, you Jeremiah,… I want an exhaustive search. We cannot afford to be wrong, or miss anything.” He didn’t stop until everyone was assigned a section of scripture to search.
While the priests and scribes are searching for the answer, the men from the east are discussing their meeting with Herod.
“That man is full of himself” one comments, with disgust dripping from every word.
“Did you notice his little ‘power play’?”
“You mean how he waited to address us?”
“Exactly. He wanted to make certain we knew who had the authority. I wonder if he realizes how transparent his actions are.”
“Did you see his hands when you asked him where the King of the Jews was born? His knuckles turned white as he gripped the arm of his throne.”
“We need to be very careful with this man.”
“Agreed” they all echoed.
While the search continues, word leaks out into the city of the king’s distress. His servants have seen him pacing at all hours. “He is distraught about something, but he will confide in no one. Not even his closest servants.”
“When the king is angry, trouble isn’t far away.”
“I wonder what it is this time.”
“There is no telling, but it is best to be ready for anything! His temper is legendary.”
The scribe searching the scrolls of Micah hurries to the high priest with his find the very first day. “My lord, look what I have found: ‘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’” (Micah 5:2 in our text. Theirs had no chapters or verses breaking up the writings).
“This is good! Keep searching though. Perhaps we will find an even more specific point of reference.”
The search continues until the last possible moment. “This is what we will bring to the king. The prophecy of Micah. There is no better reference.”
The priests, scribes, and wise men are announced. Herod stops his pacing and hurries to his throne. He does not want these men to know how disturbed he is by this issue. Herod smooths his hair and beard, making certain his face shows no signs of sweat. “Bring them before me” he bellows.
The men enter the throne room, bowing low. Once they have all filed in, they wait to be addressed.
“What have you found?”
“We have searched the scrolls and have found the answer you seek.”
“Out with it then” Herod barks.
“In Bethlehem of Judea, for so it is written by the prophet: “‘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.’” (Matthew 2:5-6).
Herod nods his head. “You are dismissed.”
The men hurry from the throne room. As soon as they are out of the hearing of Herod, they begin to speculate.
“What do you think he is going to do with this information?”
“He said that some men had come seeking an answer.”
“But will he provide it to them?”
“One can never tell with him.”
“Let’s stop speculating and just be grateful we found a suitable answer for him. Otherwise, WE would be finding out his intentions ourselves, on OUR own lives.”
Herod likes to play things ‘close to the vest’ and not let others know his plans. That way, no one has a chance of derailing them. For his next move, he needs secrecy. He calls his personal servant, Philip, to his side.
“Did you follow the men from the east and learn where they are lodging?”
Herod didn’t even need to issue this order when the men arrived. Philip knew he would want this information, at some point in time. “I did my lord. They are at the inn on the west corner of the city.”
“Good.” Herod strokes his beard and thinks for a few minutes. “Take word to them, personally, and have them meet me in the king’s garden just after dark. Bring them here yourself. And make sure to use the back entrance. I want no one to know of their visit.”
Philip bows low and hurries off to complete his task.
Philip goes to the inn where the men are lodging. He waits in a secluded corner so he can see the comings and goings of everyone. He smiles when he sees one of the men exit the inn, heading in the direction of the latrine. Philip follows discreetly but makes certain to keep the man in sight at all times, in case his assumption of the man’s errand is incorrect.
Just as Philip surmised, the man enters the western city latrine. Philip waits until he exits before approaching him.
“My lord, I have been sent on an errand of the king. He asks that I bring you and your friends to meet him in the garden, just after dark. He has an answer for your question.”
“I will gather my companions and meet you outside the inn in an hour.”
While the hour passes, the men discuss the meeting that lies in their future. And a dream that bears them a warning.
“Before we meet with the king, there is something I need to share with you all.”
“It sounds serious. What is it?”
“I had a dream last night. It was a firm warning NOT to return to this city again after leaving it. We are to go another way, back to our own land.”
“Did you learn ‘why’ we are to do this from the dream?”
“No. I did not. But it was clear to me that we MUST not return to the king after we leave here.”
“Then that is what we will do.”
Philip bows his head. He doesn’t go far, just in case the men try and leave without Jerusalem before meeting with the king. He maintains his watch until he sees the group emerge from the inn, at the specified time. Philip makes it look as though he is coming from the palace when he approaches, instead of only a few doors away.
“Shalom my lords. Please follow me.”
The men all fall in step behind Philip. In no time at all, Philip is showing them through the back entrance of the king’s garden. “If you will just make your way to the bench over there, the king with be with you shortly.” Philip points out the place for them to wait and hurries off to inform the king that they have arrived.
“The men are waiting for you, my king. They are at your favorite bench.”
“Good. That will be all.”
Herod goes out to meet the men. His eyes scan the area, ensuring that no one is present to be listening in on their conversation.
“Learned scholars, I have found the information you are seeking. Before I share it with you, I have a couple of questions I would like to ask.”
“Whatever we know, we are more than happy to share it with you.”
“When did this star appear, the one you have been so diligently following?”
“We have been following it for more than a year and a half.”
“Can you be more specific than that.”
“As you well know, not all nations mark time in the same way. For our measure, we have completed one full year and are in the final quarter of a second. I cannot be any more specific than that. The star was in the heavens for a month before we set out on our journey. We had to be certain that it remained firmly attached to one region.”
“Fair enough. The town you seek is called Bethlehem. It is recorded in our scriptures that the King of the Jews, or the Christ, is to be born in Bethlehem. ‘Go and search diligently for the child, and when you have found him, bring me word, that I too may come and worship him’ (Matthew 2:8).”
“We will resume our search. Thank you for your assistance. We will bring you word, when we pass this way again.”
“Leave by the same way you entered. I will have my servant escort you back to your lodgings.”
As Herod begins to raise his hand to summon Philip, the leader of the men speaks. “If it is all the same to you, we can see ourselves out. There is no need to trouble your servant. I’m certain you have more important tasks you need him to perform on your behalf.”
“Very well. God go with you in your search.”
The men exit the garden and head back to the inn. Their gifts for the child are stored there. The men quickly settle their bill and load their animals. They want to get back on the trail. They have had enough of this city, and its king!
The camels are laden down again, their fodder replenished and their bloodstreams stocked with water for a long journey. Being unfamiliar with the cities of Judah, they have no idea the distance they still need to cover.
As soon as the gates close behind the men and their animals, a cloud moves from covering the star the men had been following.
“Our star is back!”
“It would appear so. I’m certain IT will lead us right to the child.”
“And we will NOT return this way again.”
“I liked how you put your response to the king, regarding bringing him word.”
“I did NOT lie to him. I promised to bring him word WHEN we passed this way again. Since we will not be passing his way again, we owe him nothing.”
“Agreed” they all say in unison.
It doesn’t take too many hours before the men see the light of the star reflecting down on ONE specific house.
“It doesn’t look like a house a king would occupy” one of the men offers.
“It certainly does not. But looks can be deceiving. What is NOT in question though, is the fact that this same star led us to this humble little house. You cannot argue with that.”
“You are right. But the lights are trimmed for the night. We should wait until morning.”
“Agreed.”
As much as the men wanted to visit the young king right away, they had to contain their joy a little longer. They were all up with the sun, ready to bring their gifts to the King!
The group arrives at the gate of the small unassuming house. Joseph has just returned from relieving himself when he sees the men at his gate.
“May I help you with something?”
“We have come to see the child who was born King of the Jews.”
Joseph’s eyes go wide and he looks around. “How did you know about the child?”
“We have seen his star in the east and have followed it here, to your home. Is the child here?”
“He is here; with his ima.” Joseph stares at the men a moment more before realizing he should invite them in. “I’m sorry. Where are my manners. Please, come into my house and enjoy our hospitality. We haven’t much, but what we do have, you are welcome to shar.”
The men dip their heads in respect and follow Joseph into the home. As he enters the door, Joseph calls out; “Mary we have company. They wish to meet Jesus.”
Mary dries her hands from where she has been working. Jesus comes and stands by her side. It is obvious that love radiates between the three members of this family. It shines forth in the way they look at one another.
Mary looks past Joseph after a moment and welcomes their guests. “Please, would you like something to eat or drink?”
“A morsel of bread and a cup of water would be most welcome” the eldest of the men replies. He know how important it is to accept the gift of hospitality.
Mary turns back to her work area. She brings them each a slice of bread and a cup of water. As soon as she is done serving them, she takes Jesus onto her lap, to keep Him busy while the men refresh themselves.
One of the men asks to be excused. “I have to attend to my camel. Could you excuse me for just a moment or two?”
“Would you like me to help you” Joseph offers.
“No. It will only take a moment.”
The man quickly returns, carrying several small bundles. He hands one to two of his companions. The men have been waiting for this moment for SO LONG, it almost doesn’t feel real.
All of them move in front of Mary and Jesus. They bow themselves down onto the floor is great reverence and respect. Mary and Joseph watch in awe. Finally, one of the men rises to his knees.
“We have a gift we would like to present to the child. We know from His star that He will be King one day. We wish to honor Him now. We would be most grateful if you would allow us to do this for Him and your family.”
Joseph comes to stand beside Mary. He looks down at her with questioning eyes. She looks up and nods. Joseph addresses the men. “We would be honored to accept your gifts on behalf of our Son. We too know that He will be an important Man in the land too.”
The men lay their bundles at the feet of Mary and open them. There, in the middle of the floor of this tiny house, lay gold, myrrh, and frankincense.
Mary and Joseph can scarcely believe their eyes. In a voice just above a whisper Mary says; “This is too much!”
“No. It is not nearly enough” says the spokesman of these men. “Use it however you feel is best for your family and the protection of the child. NO harm must come to Him.”
Joseph invites the men to stay for dinner, asking that they please share all the details of their story as well. They agree, and the day is filled with stories from both the men and the little family. Each of the men also gets to enjoy at least a few minutes holding Jesus in their arms. He isn’t the least bit intimidated by these men. He gives them full smiles and gentle tugs on their beards.
When evening comes, the travelers bid the small family goodbye. They leave Bethlehem and head further into Judea before turning east on a northerly route.
The night after the men left for their own country, Joseph is given an important dream. An angel of the Lord appears to him in this dream. Joseph focuses his whole attention of the angel.
“Rise, take the child and his mother, and flee to Egypt, and remain there until I tell you, for Herod is about to search for the child, to destroy him” (Matthew 2:13).
Joseph wakes from his dream instantly. He gently shakes Mary’s shoulder. “Mary, wake up.”
Mary opens her eyes. “What is it? Is it Jesus?”
“No. The Lord has told me to get up and flee to Egypt. Herod is about to try and destroy our Son.”
Mary jumps out of bed and starts rushing around. She frantically packs their clothing. Joseph is grateful for her urgency. He goes and retrieves the donkey cart they came to Bethlehem in. He is grateful that he never sold it. There were times when money was tight, and he almost sold it. But something made him change his mind every time.
As soon as the donkey is hitched to the cart, Joseph ties him firmly to the post and begins bringing out supplies. His tools, once again, go into the hidden compartment. He stacks all the blankets they own on the cart. Mary brings bundles of clothing to the door and Joseph puts those around the edges of the cart. He is making a soft, well-defined space for Jesus to remain within.
Mary brings food to the door next and Joseph puts it in the cart. He is about ready to tell her that they can take no more when she emerges from the house holding Jesus. Joseph takes Jesus from her arms and helps her get into the cart. Then he hands her their son.
Joseph takes one last look around before closing to door of the house and closing the door on this part of their lives. It is still dark when Joseph unties the donkey and leads his family off into the night; making their way to Egypt.
A week passes and the men have not returned to Herod. He has been anticipating their return since the moment they left his presence. Each day brings his temper closer and closer to boiling over and causing those around him to suffer.
The morning of the seventh day, he can wait no longer. He calls Philip to stand before him. Philip appears, almost as though he was hovering above his shoulder.
“I need to set an example! The men from the east have obviously tricked me. They have returned to their own country without telling me where to find the child they sought. Now all the children will have to pay for their insolence! Bring me a scribe. I have a letter to the commanders to dictate.”
Philip is back in a short time with a scribe. Herod launches into his tirade.
“EVERY male child from the age of two and under is to be brought out to the city square and killed. This is to be done first in the town of Bethlehem, then spread out to all the surrounding towns.”
The scribe’s heart is racing as he pens this command from the king. He has a son who is not quite two himself. He is terrified for his child, but even more terrified for his own life if he does not pen exactly what the king has decreed.
As soon as the ink is dry and the seal is affixed, the scribe hurries home. He takes his wife and they flee the city, going north, hoping to outrun the decree.
The command is brought to the garrison immediately. King Herod is enlisting the most brutal force ever known; the Roman army.
The commander receives the communique and a cruel smiles curves his lips as he reads it. “This is unexpected” he says. “A chance for us to flex our muscles with complete local authority.”
The troops are called to form up. Any who balk at the order to round up the male children are called to guard the people from escaping. Only the most hardened of Roman soldiers will be ripping the children from their homes. The commander himself and his second will be dispatching the children to the next life.
Roman soldiers march through the streets, breaking down doors, pushing their way into the homes and dragging infants and toddlers from their ima’s arms. These innocent children are brought together in the town square. The place of community becomes a place of weeping and death.
By night fall, hundreds of infants have been slaughtered. By morning hundreds more. Mothers wail and mourn in the streets with no one to comfort them. From the city of Bethlehem, into the surrounding region, death reigns supreme at the hands of the Roman soldiers; who are under the command of Herod.
The high priest lets out a mournful cry as the prophecy spoken by Jeremiah is brought to mind. “A voice was heard in Ramah, weeping and loud lamentation, Rachel weeping for her children; she refused to be comforted, because they are no more” (Jeremiah 31:15). He weeps for the children too.
When interrogated by the soldiers regarding any young children who may have left recently, it is revealed that a couple with a young son fled in the night only a week ago. The soldiers report this to Herod and he sends out spies to try and locate them. He is thoroughly convinced that this MUST be the child he is seeking. Even suspecting this, he has no remorse for the infants who lie dead throughout the region.
Joseph and Mary are miles away by this time. They don’t stop until they reach the land of Egypt. Here they move from town to town, staying a step ahead of the spies. They finally drift into obscurity in a small town tucked away in the corner of Goshen; the very land their ancestors left so many centuries ago.
Herod’s scribe and his family are not so fortunate. In their zest to carry out the king’s command in all the region, the scribe is caught trying to escape with his family. His son lies dead on the side of the road. The child’s abba and ima join him in death, as they tried to resist the Roman soldiers.
(to be continued)
I promised to reveal something ‘shocking’ and ‘important’ to you at the beginning of Jesus’ story. The beginning of it fits nicely right here. This is a quote from Isaiah 7. We all know it for its prophecy of a virgin giving birth to a Son. But there is more to it that really struck me.
“Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel. He shall eat curds and honey when he knows how to refuse the evil and choose the good. For before the boy knows how to refuse the evil and choose the good, the land whose two kings you dread will be deserted” (Isaiah 7:14-16).
THIS is what surprised me. I don’t know how many people, including myself, have wondered at what the years of Jesus’ infancy and youth looked like. Was He some special child that never got in trouble, never needed correction or boundaries, never worried his mother or even aggravated her? NO. He was a NORMAL child. One who had to be TAUGHT right from wrong. One who tested boundaries. One who did all the normal self-centered acts of a child. One whose ‘sins’ were laid at the feet of His earthly father to atone for. Once He LEARNED how to distinguish right from wrong in his own flesh and blood heart, He CHOSE right EVERY TIME. But He had to learn first! He was fully God, but also fully man. He didn’t come into the world fully knowledgeable of right and wrong.
Jesus did have the advantage of NOT being born into sin, as He had no earthly father to pass that curse onto Him. That was the ONLY difference He had over every other child born into this world.
Father God, thank You for sharing Your stories with me again. Thank You for showing me a glimpse into a question I have had for YEARS. Help me remember both this new truth, as well as the truth of Jesus sinless nature when I see the rest of His stories. Give me a true picture of who Jesus was as a youth.
