The Visitors from the East

Beena Bijoy
Nov 5
2 min read

Reflection : (Matthew 2:1-12, Good News Translation)

After Jesus was born in Bethlehem, wise men came from the East. They had seen a bright new star in the sky sign that a great King had been born. They followed the star all the way to Judea, wanting to find and worship Him.

When they reached Jerusalem, they asked, “Where is the baby born to be king of the Jews?” King Herod was worried when he heard this, because he didn’t want anyone else to be called king. He secretly told the wise men to find the child and then come back to tell him where He was—but Herod had bad plans in his heart.

The star led the wise men to Bethlehem, right where Jesus was. When they saw the child with His mother, Mary, they were filled with joy! They bowed down and worshiped Him. Then they opened their treasure chests and offered gifts—gold, frankincense, and myrrh—fit for a king. That night, God warned them in a dream not to go back to Herod, so they went home by another road.

What We Learn

God Guides Those Who Seek Him

The wise men didn’t know exactly where Jesus was, but they trusted the star and followed it faithfully. When we truly want to find Jesus, He always helps us through signs, Scripture, and people who love Him.
True Worship Comes from the Heart

The wise men brought beautiful gifts, but the most important gift was their love and worship. Jesus wants our hearts more than anything else we can give.
Obedience to God Keeps Us Safe

When God warned the wise men not to return to Herod, they obeyed right away. Listening to God’s voice helps us make good choices and avoid harm.
Jesus Is King for Everyone

The wise men came from faraway lands—showing that Jesus came not only for one people, but for the whole world. Every person, from every place, is welcome to know Him.

Comments

Summary of Matthew Chapter 1 1. Genealogy of Jesus (Verses 1–17) •Matthew begins with the genealogy of Jesus Christ, presenting Him as the Son of David and Son of Abraham. •Genealogy is divided into three sets of fourteen generations: 1.From Abraham to David. 2.From David to the Babylonian exile. 3.From the exile to Jesus, the Messiah. •The genealogy highlights both famous figures (Abraham, David, Solomon) and unexpected ones (Tamar, Rahab, Ruth, Bathsheba), showing God’s plan working through both the faithful and those with difficult stories. •It stresses Jesus as the fulfillment of Old Testament promises, the heir of David’s royal line, and the long-awaited Messiah. ________________________________________ 2. Birth of Jesus (Verses 18–25) •The birth of Jesus is narrated as a divine event through the power of the Holy Spirit. •Mary, though a virgin, was conceived by the Spirit. Joseph, a righteous man, initially planned to divorce her quietly to avoid shame. •An angel appeared to Joseph in a dream, telling him not to fear taking Mary as his wife, because the child was of divine origin. •The angel instructed him to name the child Jesus, meaning “God saves”, since He would save His people from their sins. •This fulfills the prophecy: “Behold, the virgin shall be with child and bear a son, and they shall call him Emmanuel”—meaning “God is with us.” •Joseph obeyed the angel, took Mary as his wife, and when the child was born, he named Him Jesus. ________________________________________ Key Points •Jesus is firmly placed in Israel’s history, showing continuity with God’s covenant to Abraham and David. •The inclusion of women and irregular stories in the genealogy reflects God’s surprising and merciful plan. •The virgin birth emphasizes divine intervention and the fulfillment of prophecy. •The names Jesus (God saves) and Emmanuel (God with us) summarize His mission and identity.