The Visit of the Magi and the Early Years of Jesus.
The birth of Jesus Christ is more than a familiar Christmas story—it is the fulfillment of God’s eternal promise to redeem the world. Scripture reveals that the events surrounding Jesus’ early life, including the visit of the Magi and the family’s flight to Egypt, unfolded according to divine prophecy and purpose. By examining the biblical timeline and historical context, we gain a deeper understanding of who Jesus is and why His coming continues to matter today.
The Gospel of Matthew makes it clear that the visit of the Magi did not occur on the night of Jesus’ birth but sometime afterward, during His early childhood. Matthew records that King Herod ordered the killing of all boys in Bethlehem and its surrounding areas who were two years old and under (Matthew 2:16). This detail strongly suggests that Jesus may have been as old as two when the Magi arrived. Understanding this timeline helps distinguish the nativity account from the events that followed in the months—or possibly years—after Jesus was born.
After Jesus’ birth in Bethlehem of Judea during the reign of King Herod, Magi from the East came to Jerusalem seeking the child they called “the one who has been born king of the Jews.” Guided by a star they believed signaled the birth of a king, they undertook a long journey of faith and expectation. Their arrival caused great concern in Jerusalem, particularly for Herod, whose rule was threatened by any claim to kingship.
Seeking clarity, Herod consulted the chief priests and teachers of the law, who pointed to the prophecy identifying Bethlehem as the birthplace of the Messiah. Though small and seemingly insignificant, Bethlehem had been chosen by God as the place from which a shepherd-king would come to lead His people. Herod then questioned the Magi privately about the timing of the star’s appearance, information he would later use for his own destructive purposes.
The Magi continued on to Bethlehem, where the star led them to the place where Jesus was living. Matthew notes that they entered a house and saw the child with His mother Mary—language that further supports the conclusion that this was not the night of Jesus’ birth. Overcome with joy, they bowed down and worshiped Him, presenting gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. These gifts reflected honor, devotion, and recognition of Jesus’ royal and spiritual significance.
Warned in a dream not to return to Herod, the Magi departed for their homeland by another route. Soon after, an angel appeared to Joseph in a dream, warning him of Herod’s intent to kill the child. Joseph immediately obeyed, taking Mary and Jesus to Egypt under cover of night. Matthew identifies this flight as the fulfillment of the prophecy, “Out of Egypt I called my son,” revealing God’s continued guidance and protection over the Messiah.
When Herod realized he had been deceived, his anger turned violent. He ordered the killing of all male children in Bethlehem two years old and under, a tragic act that fulfilled the words of the prophet Jeremiah describing deep mourning and loss. This event reveals the cost of fear-driven power and the darkness that resisted the coming of Christ.
After Herod’s death, Joseph was again guided by divine instruction and returned with his family to Israel. Because Herod’s son Archelaus ruled in Judea, they settled instead in Nazareth of Galilee. In this quiet town, Jesus would grow up, fulfilling the prophetic expectation that He would be called a Nazarene.
This account reminds readers that Jesus entered the world amid political unrest, danger, and displacement. Long before His public ministry began, His presence confronted earthly power and fulfilled ancient promises. The early years of Jesus’ life affirm that God’s purposes cannot be undone and that His plans unfold faithfully, even in times of uncertainty.
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Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ (2 Corinthians 2:14).
God gets His greatest victories out of apparent defeats. Very often the enemy seems to triumph for a little, and God lets it be so; but then He comes in and upsets all the work of the enemy, overthrows the apparent victory, and as the Bible says, "turns the way of the wicked upside down." Thus He gives a great deal larger victory than we would have known if He had not allowed the enemy, seemingly, to triumph in the first place.
The story of the three Hebrew children being cast into the fiery furnace is a familiar one. Here was an apparent victory for the enemy. It looked as if the servants of the living God were going to have a terrible defeat. We have all been in places where it seemed as though we were defeated, and the enemy rejoiced. We can imagine what a complete defeat this looked to be. They fell down into the flames, and their enemies watched them to see them burn up in that awful fire, but were greatly astonished to see them walking around in the fire enjoying themselves. Nebuchadnezzar told them to "come forth out of the midst of the fire." Not even a hair was singed, nor was the smell of fire on their garments, "because there is no other god that can deliver after this sort."
This apparent defeat resulted in a marvelous victory.
Suppose that these three men had lost their faith and courage, and had complained, saying, "Why did not God keep us out of the furnace!" They would have been burned, and God would not have been glorified. If there is a great trial in your life today, do not own it as a defeat, but continue, by faith, to claim the victory through Him who is able to make you more than conqueror, and a glorious victory will soon be apparent. Let us learn that in all the hard places God brings us into, He is making opportunities for us to exercise such faith in Him as will bring about blessed results and greatly glorify His name.
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