7 Then Herod secretly sent for the magi and learned from them the [exact] time the star [had first] appeared. 8 Then he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, “Go and search carefully for the Child; and when you have found Him, report to me, so that I too may come and worship Him.”

9 After hearing the king, they went their way; and behold, the star, which they had seen in the east, went on before them [continually leading the way] until it came and stood over the place where the young Child was. 10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. 11 And after entering the house, they saw the Child with Mary His mother; and they fell down and worshiped Him. Then, after opening their treasure chests, they presented to Him gifts [fit for a king, gifts] of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. 12 And having been warned [by God] in a dream not to go back to Herod, the magi left for their own country by another way.

Matthew 2:7-12 (AMP)

Clandestine collaboration

As we said earlier, Herod was exceedingly jealous about his position as King so saw the birth of Christ as a threat. His intention for seeking this clandestine collaboration was to figure out when the child was born so he could eliminate the threat as we’ll see later. You really think he wanted to “come and worship Him”? No way!

The star

This star was amazing. It appeared to them when they were in their home country, East of Judea, and miraculously guided them to the child. Some believe it was a natural but unique phenomena in the star constellations. Others believe it was a special light based on its appearing and disappearing.

Whatever the case, it caused great joy for them.

The baby King

But the worship was not for the star. They came to see the infant King which the star led them to. All their gifts were for Him. The gold addresses the infant’s royalty; incense, His divinity; and myrrh speaks of death. 

In this account, “We see here three different responses to Jesus; one may say that all people respond in one of these three ways.” (enduringword.com) Click the link to see the three ways:

• Herod – hatred and hostility toward Jesus
• Chief priests and the scribes – indifference toward Jesus
• The wise men – sought out Jesus and worshiped

Protect the baby

The Father is looking out for His Son. He knows the evil in the heart of Herod (which we’ll soon see) and “cuts it off at the pass”. God has revealed Himself to the magi in leading them to the Christchild. Now He speaks to them directly to send them on another route. We can wonder how their experience shaped their lives and the society to which they returned.

RЯeflection

• Too often mankind worships the creation rather than the Creator (Romans 1:25). How about us? What do we worship? From what do we derive pleasure, satisfaction, and fulfillment? To what do we devote our time, energy and affection? How is the Holy Spirit speaking to you? Check out this video for more about idols of the heart.
• Do we know how the Father is looking out for us and protecting us? Sometimes it is from ourselves and our own dumb decisions. There are countless times He has protected us from physical harm as well as emotional and spiritual. Yet there are times He allows it. We must trust in His purposes.