The Controversial Birth

Main Text: Matt 2: 1-12 ( The Wise man from the East)

Matthew wrote the story of wise man on the base of trying to explain to his reader that this messiah was the fulfillment of prophecy of the Old Testament. However, he put also the point that it was not only Herod that was shocked with the arrival of the wise man, but also the bible clearly said "the whole Jerusalem"
The birth of Jesus is not only known by the wise man, Herod, but also by the entire Jerusalem, and also the rabbi and torah teacher. Soon after the arrival of the wise men, Herod summon the rabbis of Synagogue and question them about the fact of this new king.

Yet, at the end of time only these wise men were the one that see and bow at the front of the King.

We can observe several character on this story:

Wise Men: probably they were the Persian Astrologer, since during that time they were the one that study heavily on each star movement and soon enough they notice that one start come out from the other. It makes me wonder, how could the star was noticed by them but not by the Jew? Historical evidence seems to support Matthew writing that actually these men also reffering to the same text of Micah 5:2 (the one that was quoted by the rabbis) and by that evidence they know where to find this king who was born.
I believe when they arrive, they got a little "shock" too that the royal baby that they expect was not in Jerusalem but on a small little house back in Betlehem. Yet for them, it is the star that has guide them that make them believe not the situation around Jesus. Clearly the bible said, they bow down and give the offering of a king to Jesus.
Sometimes Jesus was not very interesting to be seen by people out there. For them Jesus is only another "holy man" of a religion called Christianity. But yet will bow down and worship him, simply because they were convinced by the "stars" that guide them to see Jesus....

can we be that Stars?

Herod the King: Herod was one of those notorious king during the Roman empire era thanks to this cruelty. Yet at this story, he become paranoid by the report of the birth of this new Jewish king.
To understand why Herod was so paranoid, we have to understand the situation of Herod during that time.
Historical record, especially by the writing of Josephus has revealed to us that by the time of Jesus birth, the Judean province of Rome was not a peaceful place at all. The Jew was not cooperative at all with their Rome oppressor. Revolt by revolt has been the regular part of life in most of the area in Judea. Judas Maccabe was one of the most well known story of this.
The condition of Judea was so bad, that it is popular among the Roman Senate that the Governor that was sent to Jerusalem is someone that not doing very good in their work and Jerusalem will work as the punishment ground. Therefore Herod was one of them.
By his time, Herod was already under Rome pressure since he couldn't suppress the revolt and know their legendary hero, the person that was already prophesied hundred years ago was born. So Herod wants to play damage control here, before this new king can even ever grow up to be that man.

Insecurity brings paranoid, paranoid will make you thinks, and do things that unimaginable....

The Rabbis: well, they know already, they've learn this prophecy for a long long time, but yet they were not the one there, who visit Jesus and bow down at his feet. This is the scariest part of this text, i'm always afraid that those who knows more eventually become the one that is lost. Because learning can bring knowledge and enlightenment but if that learning not followed by deep relationship with God, that knowledge become meaningless. None of this Hebrew scholar who read the text, visit Jesus that time.

Being an Adventist and thinking that it will make you saved is a fatal mistake...

Therefore learning all of this, i realize that....

I want to bow down to you my king, my lord, and my savior. Like the wise man of this story let my knowledge and understanding - guided by the stars will let me find you and worship you like what you are deserved to be...


Amen