Matthew 2:2 – “Where is He who has been born king of the Jews?”

Yeah, I am using a Christmas theme in June but in today’s world and condition, we need to find Jesus!

At the time of Jesus’ birth, the world was looking for a king to be born.  In the East, it was expected that a world ruler would be born in Judea.  Who these wise men were is not important, who they sought is!

The Jews were anxiously awaiting their Messiah.  By computing the time mentioned by Daniel (9:25-27) and other prophecies many believed the time was near when the Messiah would be born.  They assumed He would be a temporal prince who would break the Roman yoke and restore Israel to prominence, freedom, and power.  They thought in earthly terms.

The wise men had seen His star (some believe an astroid) and came searching for Him to worship Him.  Among the ancients, the appearance of a star or a comet was regarded as an omen of some remarkable event. They had seen His star!  It may have been from the prophecy of Balaam (Numbers 24:17), “There shall come a star out of Jacob” that caused them to take notice of this star.

The time was right, it was the fullness of time. The Messiah was expected, and they wanted to see this king, so they came. They asked the question, “Where is He who has been born king of the Jews?”

There are some powerful truths to be gleaned from this passage and point us to consider probing questions for today.  One of the most significant realities is that Jesus is being sought.  All attention was focused on Him. The intellectuals, prophets, government, shepherds, and the people all were looking for Him to come.  The question of the wise men is germane today, “Where is He?”

Some of those who sought Him wanted to worship Him, some wanted to satisfy their curiosity, and some wanted to kill him, but they all were seeking Him.  His birth was a joy, a hope, and a threat all at the same time.  His birth was of paramount importance.  The government wanted to find him, not to worship Him but to destroy Him. That leads to a number of questions, I dare to ask.

WHERE IS HE IN THE GOVERNMENT OF TODAY?

Proverbs 14:34 tells us, “Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people.”  Can He be found in our laws and legislation?  Can His influence be found to prevail in the agenda of government?  Our government today is largely devoid of God and His influence because man has rejected the idea that God’s Laws were the basis of our government.  We need to be in prayer for our government.

WHERE IS HE IN OUR SCHOOLS TODAY?

Is he challenged, rejected, or exalted?  Is the literature, textbooks, and teaching evidence of His influence or His rejection?  We are inundated with evolution while rejecting creationism, sexual perversion, gender neutrality, or blending while rejecting the Bible and prayer.  Is He sought in our schools?  Can He be found?

WHERE IS HE IN THE BUSINESS WORLD OF TODAY?

Are we driven by commercialism, profit, and greed or do we follow the economic principles of God’s world which include philanthropy, generosity, and caring for the needy?  Individuals, as well as corporations, have biblical and moral responsibilities that we have transferred to the government.  Is He found in our businesses of today?

WHERE IS HE IN THE HOME TODAY?

In Deuteronomy 6:4-9 we read, “Hear O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. ⁵ Love Adonai your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.  ⁶ These words, which I am commanding you today, are to be on your heart. ⁷ You are to teach them diligently to your children and speak of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down and when you rise up. ⁸ Bind them as a sign on your hand, they are to be as frontlets between your eyes, ⁹ and write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.” TLV

Is Jesus central in the home or forgotten and brushed aside as we pursue our own purposes?  I believe that it is God that makes a House a Home!

WHERE IS HE IN THE CHURCH TODAY?

Is He the Rock, the Foundation?  Have we gravitated and morphed into self-help, motivational centers rather than hospitals for the lost, sick, and dying?  Are we building human kingdoms rather than the Kingdom of God?  Is our focus on Him, His Righteousness, and His Purpose?  We can easily be drawn away from the simplicity of the gospel and the reality that how we live matters.

Are we a people being molded into the image of Jesus, or do we use the church as a salve for our consciences?  Are we manifesting the heart of Jesus in our interpersonal relationships?  One of the powerful statements of our LORD is in Matthew 25:31-46.  I encourage you to read it again and again and let your life and attitude come under the spotlight of the Holy Spirit and Scripture.

He said in verse 40, “whatever you did to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.”  When we do for others, we are ministering to Jesus and as Jesus would minister.  The world may have forgotten Him. The government, the educational system, the business community, the home, and the church may have forgotten Him in some measure, but we acknowledge Him in our loving, our giving, and our living.

So, I ask, “Where Is He that is born the King of the Jews?”  Where is He in your life?  He is standing at the door and waiting to be invited in.  He desires to bring you the Kingdom and the abundant life that the Father has prepared!

God bless you as you accept His invitation to the fullness of life He promised!