“When Jesus therefore was born in Bethlehem of Juda, in the days of king Herod, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, saying, ‘Where is he that is born king of the Jews? For we have seen his star in the east, and are come to adore him.’”
When the King of Kings and Lord of Lords was born in the “house of bread,” the “city of David,” the place where David the king was born, He ushered in a kingdom of love, “My kingdom is not of this world” (John 18:36). He who would be called the King of the Jews by Rome arrived in Juda under the reign of Rome’s appointed “King of the Jews” in Herod. “Herod” means, among other things, “freeman,” as he was free from the Law, but also “wanderer,” for without the loving shackles of the commandments of God, one can only wander in the darkness of sin rather than climb the ladder of love until they behold Love Itself. Herod was of a particular viciousness among rulers, and God’s righteousness in his people was suffocated beneath his rule. Thus it was appropriate for Jesus to arrive in this time rather than simply another prophet, because the greater the ailment, the greater the physician needed to tend to the infirm. This Divine Physician is the consoler of all wounds, when the presence of His Heart longs to be expressed in you, but a tyrannical rule of sin weighs it down, Christ moves to you that love may bloom; “Behold, thy Savior cometh” (Isaias 62:11). However, if He does not run to your aid in freeing you, know of His loving gaze. It is not so much in conquering the great staircase of perfection as much as trying your best, but He holds you in your brokenness with the affection of which He alone is capable, loving you in your littleness, your inabilities. He loves desire more than accomplishment, and it is not so much in the perfections attained or works done well as much as in the love put into whatever is done. To wash a plate for love of neighbor and accidentally break it it is of greater merit than coldly accomplishing many great works. But I lose myself. The Magi were philosophers and descendants of Balaam, who had previously led Israel to its downfall, but who correctly prophesied that “A star shall rise out of Jacob and a sceptre shall spring up from Israel” (Numbers 24:17). Thus, they knew that with the advent of the star, a King was born. O wondrous providence, o redeeming goodness! How the Lord reaches to His foes to love them into being His; “When we were yet enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son” (Romans 5:10). It was fitting that the Magi came from the east, that the firstfruits of the faith may come from where the day springs; thus the gift of every sunrise is a reminder that you have been brought into the bosom of God, the break of day serves to show you how loved you are. Now, be it the simplicity and language of angels that speak, such as to the shepherds, or the wonderfulness of nature and following its course, all things lead the mind to God, for in both cases “the heavens shew forth the glory of God” (Psalm 18:1). The Magi come to Jerusalem, so confident in this mighty King of Judah, that they did not fear the king in place, for love conquers all things, and the King of Love is the greatest and mightiest King, inspiring even those that seek Him without knowledge of Him to overcome what, to many, would be too intimidating to venture through.