Matthew 2

1 Now when Jesus was born in
Bethlehem of Judsea in the days of
Herod the king, behold, there men from the east to Jerusalem,

2 Saying, Where is he that is born
King of the Jews? for we have seen
his star in the east, and are come to
worship him.

3 When Herod the king had heard
these tilings he was troubled, and all
Jerusalem with him.

4 And when he had gathered all
the Chief Priests and Scribes of the
people together, he demanded of them
where Cli’rist should be born.

5 And they said unto him. In
Bethlehem of Judaea; for thus it is
written b) ‘^.he prophet,

6 And th 1 Bethlehem, in the land
of Juda, art »,< t the least among the
princes of Juda: for out of thee shall
come a Governor, that shall rule my
people Israel.

7 Then Herod, when he had privily
called the wise men, enquired of them

diligently what time the star appeared.

8 And he sent them to Bethlehem,
and said. Go and search diligently for
the young child; and when ye have
found him, bring me word again, that
I may come and worship him also.

9 When they had heard the king,
they departed; and lo, the star, which
they saw in the east, went before
them, till it came and stood over
where the young child was.

10 When they saw the star, they
rejoiced with exceeding great joy.

11 And when they were come into
the house, they saw the young child
with Mary his mother, and fell down
and worshipped him; and when they
had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and
ft-ankinceuse, and myrrh.

12 And being warned of God in a
dream that they should not return to
Herod, they departed into their ovm
country another way.

It is not known who these wise men were. Their names and dwelling-place are alike kept back from us. We are only told that they came “from the East,” Whether they were Chaldeans or Arabians we cannot say. Whether they learned to expect Christ from the ten tribes who went into captivity, or from the prophecies of Daniel, we do not know. It matters little who they were. The poiat which concerns us most is the rich instruction which their history conveys.

These verses show us, that there may be true servants of God in places where ive should not expect to find them. The Lord Jesus has many “hidden ones” like these wise men. Their history on earth maybe as little known as that of Melchizedek, and Jethro, and Job. But their names are in the book of life, and they will be found with Christ in the day of His appearing. It is well to remember this. We must not look round the earth and say hastily, “all is barren.” The grace of God is not tied to places and families. The Holy Ghost can lead souls to Christ without the help of many outward means. Men may be born in dark places of the earth, like these wise men, and yet like them be made “wise unto salvation.” There are some travelling to heaven at this moment, of whom the church and the world know nothing. They flourish in secret places like the lily among thorns, and “waste their sweetness on the desert air.” But Christ loves them, and they love Christ.

These verses teach us, that it is not always those who lave most religious privileges, who giveChrist most honor. We might have thought that the Scribes and Pharisees would have been the first to hasten to Bethlehem, on the u

slightest rumor that the Saviour was born. But it was not so. A few unknown strangers from a distant land were the first, except the shepherds mentioned by St. Luke, to rejoice at His birth. ‘^ He came unto his own, and his own received him not.” What a mournful picture this is of human nature! Hov, often the same kind of thing may be seen among ourselves! How often the very persons who live nearest to the means of grace are those who neglect them most! There is only too much truth in the old proverb, “The nearer the church the further from God.” Familiarity with sacred things has an awful tendency to make men despise them. There are many, who from residence and convenience ought to be first and foremost in the worship of God, and yet are always last. There are many, who might well be expected to be last, who are always first.

These verses teach us, that there may he hnoioledge of Scripture in the head, lohile there is no grace in the heart, Mark how king Herod sends to inquire of the priests and elders “where Christ should be born.” Mark what a ready answer they return him, and what an acquaintance with the letter of Scripture they show. But they never went to Bethlehem to seek for the coming Saviour. They would not believe in Him, when He ministered among them. Their heads were better than their hearts. — Let us all beware of resting satisfied with head-knowledge. It is an excellent thing, when rightly used. But a man may have much of it, and yet perish everlastingly. What is the state of our hearts? This is the great question. A little grace is better than many gifts. Gifts alone save no one. But grace leads on to glory.

The conduct of the wise men described in this chapter is a splendid example of spiritual diligence. What trouble it must have cost them to travel from their homes to the house where Jesus was born! How many weary miles they must have journeyed! The fatigues of an Eastern traveller are far greater than we in England can at all understand. The time that such a journey would occupy must necessarily have been very great. The dangers to be encountered were neither few nor small. But none of these things moved them. They had set their hearts on seeing Him “that was born King of the Jews;” and they never rested till they sawHim. They prove to us the truth of the old saying, “Where there is a will there is a way.”

It would be well for all professing Christians if they were more ready to follow the wise men’s example. Where is our self-denial? What pains do we take about our souls? What diligence do we show about following Christ? What does our religion cost us? These are serious questions. They deserve serious consideration.

Last, but not least, the conduct of the wise men is a striking example of faith. They believed in Christ when they had never seen Him; — but that was not all. They believed in Him when the Scribes and Pharisees were unbelieving; — but that again was not all. They believed in Him when they saw Him a little infant on Mary’s knee, and worshipped Him as a king. This was the crowning point of their faith. — They saw no miracles to convince them. They heard no teaching to persuade them. They beheld no signs of divinity and greatnesi to overawe them. They saw nothing but a new-born infant, helpless and weak, and needing a mother’s care m

like any one of ourselves. And yet when they saw that infant, they believed that they saw the divine Saviour of the world.” They fell down and worshipped Him.’’

“We read of no greater faith than this in the whole volume of the Bible. It is a faith that deserves to be jolaced side by side with that of the penitent thief The thief saw one dying the death of a malefactor, and yet prayed to Him, and “called Him Lord.” The wise men saw a new-born babe on the lap of a poor woman, and yet worshipped Him and confessed that He was Christ. Blessed indeed are those that can believe in this fashion! - This is the kind of faith, let us remember, that God delights to honor. We see the proof of that at this very day. Wherever the Bible is read the conduct of these wise men is known, and ‘told as a memorial of them. Let us walk in the steps of their faith. Let us not be ashamed to believe in Jesus and confess Him, though all around us remain careless and unbelieving. Have we not a thousand-fold more evidence than the wise men had, to make us believe that Jesus is the Christ? Beyond doubt we have. Yet where is our faith?

^•.

MATTHEW 11. 13 — 23.

“18 And when they were departed,
behold, the angel of the Lord appeaieth to Joseph in a dream, saying,
Arise, and take the young child and
his mother, and floe’ into Egypt, and
be thou there until I bring thee word:
for Herod will seek the young child
to destroy him.

14 When he arose, he took the
young child and his mother by night,
and departed into Egypt:

15 And was there until the death
of Herod: that it might be fulfilled
which was spoken of the Lord by the

prophet, saying. Out of Egypt have I
called my son.

16 Then Herod, when he saw that
he was mocked of the wise men, waa
exceeding wroth, and sent forth, and
slew all the children that were in
Bethlehem, and in all the coasts
thereof, from two years old and under,
according to the time which he had
dilisjently enquired of the wise men.

17 Then waa fulfilled that which
was spoken by Jeremy the prophet,
saying,

18 In Kama was there a voice heard.
lamentation, and weeping, and great
mourning, Eacbel weeping for her
children, and would not be comforted,
because they are not.

19 But when Herod was dead, behold, an angel of the Lord appeareth in a dream to Joseph in Egypt,

20 Saying, Arise, and take the
young child and his mother, and go
mto the land of Israel: for they are
dead which sought the young child’s
life.

21 And he arose, and took the

young child and his mother, and
came into the laud of Israel.

22 But when he heard that Archelaus did reign in Judsea in the room
of his father Herod, he was afraid to
go thither: notwithstanding, being
warned of God in a dream, he turned
aside into the parts of Galilee:

23 And he came and dwelt in a city called Nazareth: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophets, He shall be called a Naza-Observe in this passage, how true it is that the rulers of this world are seldom friendly to the cause of God, The Lord Jesus comes down from heaven to save sinners, and at once we are told that Herod the king “seeks to destroy him.”

Greatness and riches are a perilous possession for the soul. They know not what they seek who seek to have them. They lead men into many temptations. They are likely to fill the heart with pride, and to chain the affections down to things below. “Not many mighty, not many noble are called.’’ “How hardly shall a rich man enter the kingdom of God.”

Do you envy the rich and great? Does your heart say, ‘Oh! that I had their place, and rank, and substance?” Beware of giving way to the feeling. The very wealth which you admire may be gradually sinking its possessor down into hell. A little more money might be your ruin. Like Herod you might run into every excess of wickedness and cruelty. “Take heed, and beware of covetousness.” “Be content with such thino:s as you have.”

Do you think that Christ’s cause depends on the power and patronage of princes? You are mistaken. They have seldom done much for the advancement of true religion. They have far more frequently been the enemies of the truth. “Put not your trust in princes.” Those who are like Herod are many. Those who are like Josiah and Edward the Sixth of England are few.

Observe how the Lord Jesus loas “a man o/sorroios’’ even from His infancy. Trouble awaits Him as soon as He enters into the world. His life is in danger from Herod’s hatred. His mother and Joseph are obliged to take Him away by night, and “flee into Egypt.” It was only a type and figure of all His experience upon earth. The waves of humiliation began to beat over Him, even when He was a sucking child.

The Lord Jesus is just the Saviour that the suffering and sorrowful need. He knows well what we mean, when we tell Him in prayer of our troubles. He can sympathize with us, when we cry to Him under cruel persecution. Let us keep nothing back from Him. Let us make Him our bosom friend. Let us pour out our hearts before Him. He has had great experience of affliction.

Observe how deatJi can remove the kings of this world Wee other men. The rulers of millions have no power to retain life, when the hour of their departure comes. The murderer of helpless infants must himself die. Joseph and Mary hear the tidings that” Herod is dead;’* and at once they return in safety to their own land.

True Christians should never be greatly moved by the persecution of man. Their enemies may be strong, and they may be weak; but still they ought not to be afraid. They should remember that “the triumphing of the wicked is but short.” What has become of the Pharaohs and Neros and Diocletians, who at one time fiercely persecuted the people of God? Where is the enmity of Charles the Ninth of France, and Bloody Mary of England? They did i.heir utmost to cast the truth down to the ground. But the truth rose again from the earth, and still lives; and they are dead, and mouldering in the grave. Let not the heart of any believer fail. Death is a mighty leveller, and can take any mountain out of the way of Christ’s church. “The Lord liveth” for ever. His enemies are only men. The truth shall always prevail.

Observe, in the last place, lohat a lesson of humility is taught us by the dwelling place of the Son of God, when He was on earth. He dwelt with His mother and Joseph “in a city called Nazareth.”

Nazareth was a small town in Galilee. It was an obscure, retired place, not so much as once mentioned in the Old Testament. Hebron, and Shiloh, and Gibeon, and Bethel, were far more important places. But the Lord Jesus passed by them all, and chose Nazareth. This was humility.

In Nazareth the Lord Jesus lived thirty years. It was there He grew up from infancy to childhood, and from childhood to boyhood, and from boyhood to youth, and from youth to man’s estate. We know little of the manner in which those thirty years were spent. That He was “subject to Mary and Joseph,” we are expressly told. That He worked in the carpenter’s shop with Joseph, is highly probable. We only know, that almost five sixths of the time that the Saviour of the world was on earth was passed among the poor of this world, and passed in complete retirement. Truly this was humility.

Let us learn wisdom from our Saviour’s example. We are far too ready to ‘^ seek great things” in this world. Let us seek them not. To have a place, and a title, and a position in society, is not nearly so important as people think. It is a great sin to be covetous, and worldly, and proud, and carnal-minded. But it is no sin to be poor. It matters not so much where we live, as what we are in the sight of God. Where are we going when we die? Shall we live for ever in heaven? These are the main things to which we should attend.

Above all, let us daily strive to copy our Saviour’s humility. Pride is the oldest and commonest of sins. Humility is the rarest and most beautiful of graces. For humility let us labor. For humility let us pray. Our knowledge may be scanty. Our faith may be weak. Our strength may be small. But if we are disciples of Him who “dwelt at Nazareth,” let us at any rate be humble.