Jerusalem has been associated with the nation of Israel for thousands of years. King David made it his capital when he became king of Israel. His son Solomon built the Temple there and it became the center of Jewish worship. Jerusalem was destroyed by King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon in 586 B. C. Seventy years later the Temple was rebuilt, and it was spared destruction when the Romans conquered the Holy Land. Herod the king modified the Temple during his reign in Judea, where Jerusalem was located.

But one day everything changed when three visitors came to the city of Jerusalem. We know them as the Magi, or the wise men, and they said they were looking for the “King of the Jews.” They said they had seen a star in the east that they associated with this king that they were seeking. We read all about in Matthew 2, where we are told that they said they had come to worship this king. When Herod heard about this, he was troubled, and so were the people who lived in Jerusalem.

The trouble was that Herod was already the King of the Jews, and he was not about to share his kingdom with anybody else. During most of his reign, Herod experienced trouble with his family. He killed his wife and three of his sons because he suspected them of wanting to take over his throne. He had intended to kill his brother as well, but his brother died before he had a chance to do so. So when Herod heard about the wise men seeking the King of the Jews, he was determined to find out what he could about this king. He called for the chief priests and scribes of the people to tell him where this king of the Jews was supposed to be born, and of course, they told him Bethlehem.

Then Herod secretly called the wise men to find out what time the star they saw in the east had appeared. He then instructed them to go to Bethlehem, and when they had found the child to report back to him. He said he wanted to go and worship the new king, too, but he definitely was not telling the truth. We will find out later what his true intentions were concerning the child. In any case, the wise men continued on their journey, led by the star until they found the child in the care of his mother. Immediately they fell down and worshipped him, and gave Him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.

God instructed the wise men to go home another way, and for Joseph to flee into Egypt with Mary and Jesus, because Herod intended to do him harm. Herod eventually gave orders for all children two years and under to be killed, hoping to get the right child. Now we know Herod’s true intentions, but the more important question is, “What intentions do we have concerning Jesus?”

Larry R. Steffee is pastor of the Center Hill Brethren In Christ Church on Miller Road in Smithville.  Everyone is welcome to attend.  For information, you may email lrsteffeetn@yahoo.com.