Joseph and Mary were back in their own home in Bethlehem. They were happy with their little baby boy, and things seemed to be getting back to normal.
But, far away in the East something had happened. Some wise men had noticed a new star in the sky about the time of Jesus' birth. This star, they knew, meant the arrival of an extraordinary king! And, they had begun the long journey towards where this star was pointing. The Bible doesn't say how many wise men came on this trip- many people think that it was three men, but that's just guesswork, because there were three gifts presented.
It would take around 2 years before they got to their destination.
Matthew 2:1-2- Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea 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.
The wise men followed the star to Jerusalem, and then asked the ruler where the baby king was born. This wasn't good news to Herod!
Matthew 2:3-6- When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he demanded of them where Christ should be born. And they said unto him, In Bethlehem of Judaea: for thus it is written by the prophet, And thou Bethlehem, in the land of Juda, art not the least among the princes of Juda: for out of thee shall come a Governor, that shall rule my people Israel.
Herod found out from the religious leaders in Jerusalem where it was prophesied that the Messiah would be born. Then, he went to the wise men and found out when the star appeared.
Matthew 2:7-8- Then Herod, when he had privily called the wise men, enquired of them diligently what time the star appeared. 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.
Herod told the wise men where to find the child king, and then told them to come back and tell him exactly where he was. Herod said he wanted to worship the child, also, but he was lying!
Matthew 2:9-11- 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. 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.
The wise men found the house that Joseph and Mary had gotten in Bethlehem. They were so excited! The came into the house and fell down before the child and worshiped him. Then, they presented him with presents that were specifically chosen for a king of Kings!
Gold was given because of his status of king. It was customary to give riches to rulers, and what was more precious than gold?
Frankincense was an herb that was used in the temple. It represented that Jesus was born as a priest. Like a priest, Jesus would be able to offer the sacrifice that was required by God for sins. Only a priest was allowed to go before the Ark of the covenant and offer this offering!
Myrrh was another type of herb that was used in burial. When a body died, they would use this to cover the stink until they could bury it. The myrrh was a symbol that Jesus would die.
The wise men left their gifts with the child and his parents and then went on their way. But, not back to Herod, because God had warned them not to.
Matthew 2:12-15- And being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way. And when they were departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I bring thee word: for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him. When he arose, he took the young child and his mother by night, and departed into Egypt: 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.
God not only warned the wise men, but He also warned Joseph. He told Joseph to take his family to Egypt, because there they would be safe from Herod's wicked plot. This would also fulfill another prophesy about the Messiah.
But, when Herod realized that the wise men weren't coming back, he put his evil plan into action!
Matthew 2:16-18- Then Herod, when he saw that he was mocked of the wise men, was 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 diligently enquired of the wise men. Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by Jeremy the prophet, saying, In Rama was there a voice heard, lamentation, and weeping, and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children, and would not be comforted, because they are not.
Evil Herod had found out that the child king would be around 2 years old. When the wise men didn't return, he sent soldiers to kill all the children age 2 and younger throughout all of Bethlehem.
This was also foretold in the Old Testament. All these things had to come to pass as a sign to any of the Jews who were reading the Scriptures and looking for the Messiah. If they had known about the prophesies, then they would have known about Jesus.
Matthew 2:19-21- But when Herod was dead, behold, an angel of the Lord appeareth in a dream to Joseph in Egypt, Saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and go into the land of Israel: for they are dead which sought the young child's life. And he arose, and took the young child and his mother, and came into the land of Israel.
When Herod died, an angel told Joseph that it was safe to go back to Israel. We don't know where Joseph had planned on going, but as he was traveling back, he inquired about the ruler that had taken Herod's place.
Matthew 2:22-23- But when he heard that Archelaus did reign in Judaea 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: 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 Nazarene.
When Joseph heard that it was Herod's son on the throne, he was afraid for his family. Perhaps he even thought about going back to Egypt. But, and angel came to him in a dream and warned him to stay in the coasts of Israel. So, he went to a city called Nazareth.
This was also prophesied about in Scriptures. The Old Testament told many things about Jesus' birth and his life as a child. If only someone had taken the time to read and search!
Luke 2:40-41- And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon him. Now his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the feast of the passover.
As Jesus grew, his parents made sure to raise him according to Jewish laws. He went with his family every year to Jerusalem to celebrate the passover. He would follow this custom until the year he was killed as our sacrifice lamb during the passover outside the city of Jerusalem.
The Bible tells us about one trip that Jesus took during the passover when he was 12 years old.
Luke 2:42-45- And when he was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem after the custom of the feast. And when they had fulfilled the days, as they returned, the child Jesus tarried behind in Jerusalem; and Joseph and his mother knew not of it. But they, supposing him to have been in the company, went a day's journey; and they sought him among their kinsfolk and acquaintance. And when they found him not, they turned back again to Jerusalem, seeking him.
Joseph and Mary kept the feast and then left with a group of friends and family to go back to their home. After traveling for one whole day, they realized that Jesus was not with them.
Imagine the panic! They had watched over Jesus and tried to protect him knowing that if the Romans ever found out that he was the Messiah they would try to kill him. And, now, he was lost! In fact, it took them three days to find him.
I bet his mother cried the whole time thinking something horrible had befallen him!
Luke 2:46-47- And it came to pass, that after three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, both hearing them, and asking them questions. And all that heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers.
But Jesus wasn't hurt. He was in the temple listening and learning, and even asking and answering questions.
Luke 2:48-51- And when they saw him, they were amazed: and his mother said unto him, Son, why hast thou thus dealt with us? behold, thy father and I have sought thee sorrowing. And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father's business? And they understood not the saying which he spake unto them. And he went down with them, and came to Nazareth, and was subject unto them: but his mother kept all these sayings in her heart.
Jesus told Mary that he was just doing some business that his father wanted him to. But, he wasn't talking about Joseph, he was talking about God the Father!
Mary, again, put these things inside of her. She pondered on his words like she did on the tale of the shepherd's who came to visit her, or on the praises of those prophets in the temple who thanked God for sending her little baby.
Jesus grew up with Joseph and Mary like he was their son. He obeyed them. He listened to them. He even worked with Joseph in his business, carpentry.
Jesus was the perfect child! And, as he grew he was looked on fondly by all who knew him.
Luke 2:52- And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man.
