Why a Star? Why men from so far away?

My little glass ornament shines brightly in the tree lights.

After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem  and asked, "Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him." Matthew 2:1-2

Wise men from the east, guided by a star.

As I thought about the wise men, I found myself marveling at the star.

Was it a comet that streaked across the sky? Was it a rare alignment of planets that caught the astronomer’s attention? Was it placed in the sky by God at that moment in time? You know what—I don’t care! Any explanation confirms the power and sovereignty of God. Perhaps that’s what scares today’s scientists!

The wise men from the Orient saw the star and followed it.

My question is, were they the only ones who could see it? Obviously no one in Jerusalem, the site of the temple, saw it or Herod would've known about it. The chief priests didn’t see it; the teachers of the law didn’t see it. They had head-knowledge of the Messiah’s birth, but not the eyes to see the miracle right in front of them.

Why would God pick men from far in the east, probably Babylon, to give an exclusive announcement of the birth of His Son? It’s even more astounding that tradition has it that they weren’t even Jews.

So, God brought pagan men from hundreds of miles away to worship the King of Kings rather than bring the Jewish priests who were just a few miles away.

Wise men from the Orient knelt and worshiped Jesus; God’s own people rejected Him.

Down through the centuries, God hasn’t changed.

He still uses Light to draw men to Himself. Jesus is the light of the world – John 8:12

Jesus is the Light that draws people out of the darkness of false religions into His salvation. John 8:12

And people? We haven’t changed either.

The Jews still haven’t recognized Jesus as the Messiah.

People from “Christian” nations are turning away from Him.

Who is being drawn to the Light? Muslims in the Middle East, Hindus and Buddhists in the far east, the oppressed in countries here the government forbids Christianity, idol-worshipers in Africa and South America.

God is still using a Star to guide men who are hunting for the King of Kings and to bring them to faith in Him.


Are you following the Light?

Reach out to Him and allow Him to lead you from darkness into the light of His grace.