Matthew 2:1-3
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 when it rose and have come to worship him.” When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him.
Reflection
As Matthew tells about the Magi coming to visit the Baby Jesus, we hear that their first stop was in Jerusalem. They saw the star but apparently didn’t know exactly where the king of the Jews was to be born. Just the mere question sent Herod and all Jerusalem into a tizzy. Herod was disturbed because the Magi, who would have known about the coming of the Jewish Messiah, came looking for the new “king of the Jews.”
Herod was called the king of the Jews but in title only. He was not part of the lineage of King David and the true Jewish Messiah was to come from David’s line. So most likely, Herod felt threatened.
Assuming for the moment that you believe that the Kingdom of God was inaugurated with Jesus’ birth, how do you react? Do you feel that the status quo is being threatened for you? Or do you feel empowered to act as if the Kingdom of God is already here?
