Eyewitness to Christmas: The Wise Men Follow the Star

The Wise Men have met with King Herod and been sent on their way to Bethlehem, where prophecy foretold of the Christ child’s birth.

The journey to Bethlehem was only six or seven miles from where they were.  It was not a long journey for them.

“ A road led south to Bethlehem, which was about six miles from Jerusalem, so the rest of the Magi’s journey probably did not take very long.” {The IVP New Testament Commentary Series}

“Then the star appeared again, the same star they had seen in the eastern skies.” {Matthew 2:9}

The same star which guided them from their homeland reappears in the sky. Again, the follow the star to the place they are looking for.

“Well, they had traced the matter as far as they could; they were upon their journey to Bethlehem, but that is a populous town, where shall they find him when they come thither? Here they were at a loss, at their wit’s end, but not at their faith’s end; they believed that God, who had brought them thither by his word, would not leave them there; nor did he; for, behold, the star which they saw in the east went before them. “ {Mathew Henry Commentary}

“It led them on until it hovered over the place of the child.” {Matthew 2:10}

The star hovered over the place of the child.  Apparently, only the Wise Men or Magi could see the star. 

Otherwise, would have spread and reached King Herod to where the child was located. This is a reminder of how God can open eyes or cause blindness to things which don’t need to be seen.

“They could hardly contain themselves: They were in the right place! They had arrived at the right time!” {Matthew 2:10}

The wise men are excited. They can’t contain themselves. After months or years of traveling they have reached their destination.

“Now they saw they were not deceived, and had not taken this long journey in vain. When the desire cometh, it is a tree of life. Now they were sure that God was with them, and the tokens of his presence and favour cannot but fill with joy unspeakable the souls of those that know how to value them. Now they could laugh at the Jews in Jerusalem, who, probably, had laughed at them as coming on a fool’s errand.” {Mathew Henry Commentary}

Can you feel their excitement as they arrive at the home of the Christ Child?