Matthew 2. Matthew writes about King Jesus – His authority, his royalty, and his kingdom and throne that will last forever. What happens when a king is born normally? Lots of pomp, circumstance, and important visitors bearing gifts, right?

Well, hold on to your nativity sets, because a careful reading of today’s chapter might shake a few things up! Wise men (or magi) from the east came to Jerusalem saying, “Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.” (2:2) Some wise men from the east – people who possibly were familiar with prophecies related to the birth of a coming king – traveled a long way to bring gifts to this new royalty. (Have you seen the t-shirts that say, “Wise men still seek Him”? I love those!)

Note in our text today that they were seeking a child, not a baby. They also found the child living in a house, not in a barn/manger/cave space where animals were fed. Also, it had been a while since the birth star was seen and their very-long-camel trip… Which means that they probably came for a visit some six to eighteen months after the birth of Jesus. Also note that there were three gifts – not necessarily three wise men, so it could have been six or ten or twenty! Who knows? They probably pooled their resources to be able to give such nice gifts to this future king!

“When they saw the star (over Bethlehem) they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy!” (2:10) That same star that brought them great joy and a future hope created a different response in King Herod. “He was troubled… furious, and he sent and killed all the male children in Bethlehem…” (2:3,18). The power-hungry ruler spiraled into fear and a murderous rampage. Even today, people have quite varied reactions to the news of Jesus the Messiah.

Something interesting happens in Matthew 2. God speaks to the wise men through a star and through a dream. God also speaks to Joseph four times in different dreams. Each time Joseph understands the dream clearly, and he obeys God’s instructions (he too is a wise man!). Noting that Joseph fled with his family in the middle of the night for another country, and then later returned to the land of Israel (but to Nazareth and not Judea), should change how we think of this little family. They were refugees, persecuted, destitute, and seeking safety in another country.

Not only did God guide and protect them, but he also worked out all the details so that the identity of Jesus was confirmed according to Old Testament prophecies. Matthew informs us: “This was to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by his prophet, ‘Out of Egypt I called my son.’” (Hosea 11:1). “This fulfilled what was spoken… Rachel weeping for her children…” (Jeremiah 31:15). And finally, “He went and lived in Nazareth, so that what was spoken by the prophets might be fulfilled…” (2:23). Matthew makes Jesus’ identity clear.

Has God ever led you in a direction that seemed strange or unexpected? Perhaps he was protecting you or opening an unexpected door for you. We can take comfort in knowing that he is able to care for his people!