The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

Matthew 2:1-8, “Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem, saying,

2 ‘Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we saw His star in the east, and have come to worship Him.’

3 And when Herod the king heard it, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him.

4 And gathering together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he began to inquire of them where the Christ was to be born.

5 And they said to him, ‘In Bethlehem of Judea, for so it has been written by the prophet,

6 “And you, Bethlehem, land of Judah, Are by no means least among the leaders of Judah; For out of you shall come forth a Ruler, Who will shepherd My people Israel.”

7 Then Herod secretly called the magi, and ascertained from them the time the star appeared.

8 And he sent them to Bethlehem, and said, ‘Go and make careful search for the Child; and when you have found Him, report to me, that I too may come and worship Him.’”

The birth of children always cause a stir among people. And while the birth of Jesus was hardly ordinary, it followed the course of arousing people, even the magi from the east. Precisely who these magi were is not certain. Arabia, Babylon, Persia (modern Iran) are all possible contenders. They were foremost astroligers, who watched the skies for signs of miraculous events. How many there were is not known; however, it is likely that their number was considerable. The number three simply derives from the three gifts they later give to the Christ-child. Many years earlier, Daniel had been carried captive into Babylon, and it is possible that the magi’s interest was piqued by his revelation of the prophecy of the coming Messiah.

In any event, the magi caused fear in Herod when they asked the whereabouts of the King of the Jews. “We in the east, have seen His star” is the better translation. If the star were in the east, and they followed it, they would have been journeying toward China.

Herod the Great clearly had no spiritual concern with respect to the birth of Jesus. He was a cruel and vicious person, whose crimes against others –even his own family– were numerous. But, where were the magi to go for information, but to the highest official in the land? Herod deferred to the “chief priests and scribes” for an answer. They were the lawyers, the record keepers, who were responsible to know such things. Their search turned up the prophecy of Micah (5:2) that focused on Bethlehem of Judea as the place of Jesus’ whereabouts.

Herod, in his characteristic manner of deception, then pretended a harmless interest in the whereabouts of Jesus, saying, “Go and make careful search for the Child; and when you have found Him, report to me, that I too may come and worship Him.”

What is often neglected in the study of Christ’s birth is the connection is has to us. Everything that Jesus ultimatly did –His life, His death, His resurrection– derives from His miraculous conception. Decadent men today seek to undermine and refute the Savior by denying these historical, biblical truths. Rather than following the magis’ earnest seeking, they elect to follow Herod in his deception and denial of Holy Truth. Who are you following? Are you witnessing of Him through your lifestyle? your speech? There’s an old addage that “silence is golden”; but we must admit that sometimes “silence is yellow.” Be bold! Let others know that you know Him and that you are continuing to seek out and live out His plan for your life.

Lovingly and prayerfully yours,

Nana & Dado III

(Rose Marie & Gene)

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.

Springdale, Arkansas 72764

United States of America

“We never know that God is all we need

until He becomes all that we have.”