He’s King Of The Jews And Gentiles Too!
June 2011 – Grace & Truth Magazine
He’s King Of The Jews And Gentiles Too!
Jesus may have been born in obscurity, but His birth announcements were anything but. God used an angel to introduce Him to some lowly Jewish shepherds in Bethlehem (Lk. 2:8-20). And at the same time, by way of a special star in the heavens, God also led some Gentile wise men (Magi) from a distant land to begin their trek to Bethlehem so they could find and worship this newborn “King of the Jews” (Mt. 2:1-6 NKJV ).
They were not Jews; but after reading Messianic prophecies, and in their thirst for more knowledge of God, they willingly left the comforts of home and country to verify the truth of the Old Testament prophet Micah: “Bethlehem ... out of you shall come forth to Me the One to be Ruler in Israel, whose goings forth are from of old, from everlasting” (Mic. 5:2; Mt. 2:6). Their diligent search of Scripture, and that miracle star, led them to the source of all knowledge – Jesus, the Light of the world and the Wisdom of God (Jn. 8:12; 1 Cor. 1:18-25). When they found this King they “worshiped Him” and gave Him gifts fit for a king – “gold, frankincense and myrrh” (Mt. 2:11).
What motivated these wise men to search for this King? It was the Holy Spirit, who moved their hearts and opened their eyes to read, accept and believe the truth which He had revealed to them. By faith they believed God’s Word, followed that star, worshiped the King and even obeyed a dream that kept them from telling Herod where He was.
In the encounter of the wise men with the baby Jesus, we see God’s plan to give His Son as Savior and King, not just to the Jews but to all the nations: “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life” (Jn. 3:16). Jesus’ birth was announced in such a way that both Jews (via an angel and some shepherds), and Gentiles (via a star and some wise men), might be introduced to Him and His coming kingdom.
By Larry Ondrejack