Synopses & Reviews
Synopsis
INTERPRETING THE STAR OF MANMatt 2:1-3"Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, 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 worship him. When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him".It is quite incredible and unbelievable that Star Gazers from the far East, possessed of rare unbiblical intelligence and deep insights into the spiritual realms, discovered the emergence of an unusually great star that was attached to the destiny and birth of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. This profound discovery compelled the wise men to embark on a divine journey of discovery that eventually resulted in a unique form of worship in the town of Bethlehem. Matthew 2:11"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 frankincense and myrrh".However, their persistent enquiries about the newborn they dubbed "King of the Jews" (due to the magnitude of the star they saw), triggered a chain of negative reactions in the city of Jerusalem and its environs. Notable among these reactions, was the be wilderment of His Royal Majesty- King Herod THE GREAT and all the citizens of Jerusalem (Matthew 2:3), a sudden night flight to Egypt (Matthew 2:13,14) and, the destruction of innocent children - below two years of age, in and around Bethlehem (Matthew 2:16). 'What indeed could be so wrong and sufficiently strong enough to have single handedly confounded an entire city of informed and illustrious folks, as well as their imperial ruler?'The declarations of the wise men cited in Matthew 2:2hold the key to all the mysteries above."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".The men inadvertently set the ball rolling by their unequivocal declaration that the yet to be identified newborn was a King of the Jewish gentry (who were hitherto certifiedcitizens under the kingship of Herod the Great). This was unprecedented in history.However, for us as believers, this is enigmatic.That a baby's birth troubled and greatly discomfited a powerful King and his entire subjects. Therefore, I decree under grace right now, in the name of Jesus Christ who alone could discomfit an entire city from his cradle, that your life will daily send fearful chills down the spines of your avowed enemies, in Jesus Name (Amen). Your enemies are already in a troubled frenzy because you are about to emerge.Note with gladness, the magnitude of fear that gripped King Herod in Matthew 2:4"He (hurriedly) summoned a meeting of the leading Priests and teachers of the law to enquire where old prophecies foretold that the Messiah would be born."'The great and extraordinary star of the new born baby Jesus which God permitted only the wise orient men to see caused quite a stir within the ranks of the Clergy and government in the then Israel' The most meaningful and striking thing about your life is the allotted star that God gave you. Folks, it was neither baby Jesus' likely chubby and ruddy appearance nor the possibility that he weighed a ton at birth that caught the fancy of these orient men. Rather, the fundamental reason for their great rejoicing can be found in Matthew 2:9-10"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. When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy."