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. When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. 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. And being warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed to their own country by another way. Matthew 2:9-12 (ESV)
I was recently struck by several insights while studying the above passage. I've probably read, or heard, this story hundreds of times, yet there is always something new and exciting waiting to be discovered in this passage! This time, it is the progression of the wise men's journey that struck me.
Their story actually starts a few verses earlier in Matthew 2:1-3:
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, 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."
Do you notice it? They saw the star when it rose. That must mean that they were looking for it before it had even appeared! Their journey began with seeking something that hadn't even happened yet. Searching. Searching for something they had yet to experience, but were sure would happen. I wonder, had they been searching for days, months, years, maybe decades... or longer? I wonder if we still really know what it is like to truly search for God's signs in our lives?
Stay tuned for more insights on this passage!
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About Me
- Robyn Henk
- Robyn Henk, author of B.L.E.S.S.E.D, discovering God’s bigger dream for you, wife of 38 years, mother of six grown children, and grandmother of three. The experience of God’s gracious love and provision in her life has led to her passion of bringing women into deeper intimacy with God, and fuller understanding of God’s love and providence for their lives. She has attended classes in Theology and Christian Ministry at Golden Gate Baptist Seminary, as well as researching The Geographic and Archeological History of the Bible in Israel and Rome, with Azusa Pacific University. Robyn has spoken on three continents and developed and spoke at the Women of Purpose Conference in Kiev, Ukraine; Kitale, Kenya; and to the Lakota and Dine’ First Nations in America. She has also taught Spiritual Disciplines, Parenting, Christian Leadership for Women, and Teaching for Significance clinics.
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