Matthew 2:9-15
After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, in the time of King Herod, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem saying, “Where is the one who is born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.” When King Herod heard this he was alarmed, and all Jerusalem with him. After assembling all the chief priests and experts in the law, he asked them where the Christ was to be born. “In Bethlehem of Judea,” they said, “for it is written this way by the prophet:
‘And you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are in no way least among the rulers of Judah, for out of you will come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel.’”
Then Herod privately summoned the wise men and determined from them when the star had appeared. He sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and look carefully for the child. When you find him, inform me so that I can go and worship him as well.”
The Scriptures quoted are from the NET Bible® http://netbible.com copyright ©1996, 2019 used with permission from Biblical Studies Press, L.L.C. All rights reserved.
COMMENT & QUESTIONS
Herod was not from a royal family and wasn’t even fully Jewish. He was just a military leader who became King by being in the right place at the right time.
Why do you think Herod was so scared by the news that the wise men brought?
Herod became king through clever military strategy. But this newly born king seemed to be born for this position. The Scriptures had predicted this new true King of Israel would be born. This was the one whom the people were waiting for. Surely the people would not stay loyal to Herod, who wasn't even fully Jewish, when there was a new true King of the Jews. He must have known that his claim to the throne was very weak.
PRAYERS
Thanks that we can freely worship Jesus in our nation Pray that we can always serve King Jesus over any earthly King