I’ve long been curious as to why the wise men were the only ones who seemed to seek that special star. As we sing, it was a star of wonder, a star of night, a star with royal beauty bright — and when the Wisemen saw that star from the East they went! but they stopped at Jerusalem to ask for directions. Perhaps the star led them that far at first—but we are not told.It is thought by many scholars that this was an important delegation of important scholars who were accompanied by a large entourage. This was not some rag-tag band of three individuals. They came bringing what they thought was good news. “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” (Matthew 2:2). So naturally they would go to see the most important person, the king of Judea, because they were seeking a newborn king, the Messiah.Now what is interesting is what we read: “When Herod the king heard this, he was TROUBLED, and all Jerusalem with him” (Matthew 2:3). This is puzzling as the Jews had been waiting for the coming of the Messiah for centuries. But Herod and everyone else was troubled. He gathered the chief priests and the teachers of the Law and asked them where the Christ was to be born, they replied “Bethlehem” (Matthew 2:4-6). They knew where the Christ was to be born. In fact they must have heard the rumors of the birth of the Christ-child. Because the angel of the Lord appeared to shepherds, who went to verify the message—and then the told this good news all around (Luke 2:8-17).It was only 5½ miles from Jerusalem to Bethlehem. Surely, SOMEBODY would have gone to check it out! But NOBODY bothered. Now important wise men came with this message. Again could they be bothered to check out such important news? NO!I think their problem was the same problem that many have today. They thought they were too important. Jerusalem was the center of Jewish life; it was the capital of Judea. All the important religious leaders were there. The very thought that God would send angels to common shepherds was absurd. So why would God reveal such important news to shepherds? I’m sure they scoffed and had a good laugh.And now an important delegation from ...
