The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

Matthew 2:1-6, “Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, 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 When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him.
4 Gathering together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Messiah was to be born.
5 They said to him, ‘In Bethlehem of Judea; for this is what 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”’” (Micah 5:2).

Many years ago, when I was pastoring in the St. Louis area, I had occasion to speak with a lawyer,
who had no awareness that “astrology” was in no way related to “astronomy.” The “wise men” were astrologers. They believed in mystical occurrences as related to the stars and other celestial bodies. We have no knowledge of the location of their eastern home, although Babylon could well be a possibility.

The Gospel according to Matthew, written initially to the Jewish people, calls them “wise men.” As the account plays out, they did indeed display considerable wisdom. Had they known the deep-seated evil of Herod’s personality, however, they would not have mentioned the Child as “the King of the Jews,” for that was a designation that Rome had given exclusively to Herod. And he wore in great pride.

Herod constrained himself, however, and ordered the Jewish religious leaders to look into the matter. They did, and discovered the prophecy of Micah 5:2, as quoted above. Jesus, at this point-in-time, was about two years old. He was destined to be what His Father had determined, that being what was written in the prophecy.

Yes, Jesus was Jewish. He “came unto His own,” yet, they ultimately rejected Him, prompting His crucifixion, which was their and is our hope of redemption. It is fitting, therefore, that we celebrate Him and a day for His birth. More importantly still is our repentance of sin and belief in Him as our LORD and Savior. Have you done that? When you do, the word “Christmas” will take on totally new meaning!

Heartily in Christ Jesus,

(Dado III)

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.
Springdale, Arkansas 72764
United States of America

“We never know that Christ is all we need until He becomes all that we have.” – Corrie ten Boom