Friday 19th December
Read Matthew 2:1-2
“After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem 2 and asked, ‘Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.’” (NIVUK)
All the Christmas images come together here, Magi coming from the east to worship the King led by the rising star. It is easy to simply sit in the story and marvel at the honour that is due to the baby Jesus. Yes, there are political overtones aplenty – with ‘King Herod’ being asked where the new ‘King of the Jews’ is so that they can give allegiance to him (a rather bold move when one thinks about…). But we can simply spend time reflecting on, and joining in, the homage due to Jesus.
We could also spend time reflecting on why Matthew tells us this story, in this way. For Jesus, the One who would save His people from their sins, has been born – and the next thing we read about is Magi from the east? If we have been paying attention we would know that Matthew is richly steeped in scripture and we should hear echoes reverberate through the story. Isaiah saw a future where darkness was dispelled. Consider his words:
“‘Arise, shine, for your light has come,
and the glory of the Lord rises upon you.
2 See, darkness covers the earth
and thick darkness is over the peoples,
but the Lord rises upon you
and his glory appears over you.
3 Nations will come to your light,
and kings to the brightness of your dawn.” (Isaiah 60:1-3) (NIVUK)
Any chance Matthew is asking his readers, and us, to draw the links between Isaiah’s future hope and Jesus’ birth? A new dawn for all indeed…
