Have you ever wondered about the origins of the Wise Men from the east who came to visit Jesus at His birth? I have. Their story is found in the gospel of Matthew.
1 After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem 2 and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.” Matthew 2:1-2 (NIV)
Just who were these Magi? Where would they get the idea to come seek the king of the Jews? Furthermore, once they found Him, where did they get the idea to worship Him?
The Magi from the east were likely from the area where the people of Judah had been carried off into exile centuries before, in Babylon. They were also likely instructed by the Old Testament writings of its prophets, including Jeremiah, Daniel, Isaiah, and Zechariah. They might even have been influenced by teachings and instructions handed down from the prophet Daniel, who resided in Babylon most of his long life after God sent him there to minister to its leaders and the exiles from Judah.
From the time of Daniel until the coming of Christ, there was no king of the Jews. Prior to their exile to Babylon, God announced that Judah’s king, Jehoiachin, would be the last one in his family to reign over Judah. After that, it would be a long wait until the birth of the next King, the Messiah. The line of David would continue, but not in the role of king.
24 “As surely as I live,” declares the Lord, “even if you, Jehoiachin son of Jehoiakim king of Judah, were a signet ring on my right hand, I would still pull you off. 30 … for none of his offspring will prosper, none will sit on the throne of David or rule anymore in Judah.” Jeremiah 22:24,30b (NIV)
The royal tree was now cut down and its branches had been removed. The kingly line was preserved in the form of governors and others, but no ruler would be sitting on the throne of David. Yet, at the same time, God had promised King David that one of his descendants WOULD rule over Israel, and the entire world, forever.
Jeremiah 22 tells us that the kings that were descended from Josiah had become spiritually dead, like dry wood, through their unbelief and unrighteous acts, being quick to choose injustice, violence, greed, and idol worship over the things of God. But the Lord was not done with the line of David. He had demonstrated before that He can bring new life to the deadest of wood, and He could do it again, at the time of His own choosing.
Centuries earlier, when the Israelites had been freed from slavery in Egypt and led into the desert, many of their leaders rebelled against the God-given authority of Moses, his brother Aaron, and Aaron’s priestly tribe of Levi. To quell the rebellion, God told all twelve tribe leaders to gather their walking sticks together overnight. In the morning, one of these dead shafts of wood, Aaron’s, showed miraculous signs of life, confirming his spiritual authority.
8 The next day Moses entered the tent and saw that Aaron’s staff, which represented the tribe of Levi, had not only sprouted but had budded, blossomed and produced almonds. Numbers 17:8 (NIV)
Similarly, God promised through the prophet Isaiah that a new Branch would come up from the stump of Jesse, King David’s father. A stump exists only when the tree has been cut down. In this case, the tree was the line of the kings of Judah, and the new branch growing from its stump was a King who will rule righteously not only over Israel, but over the entire world.
1 A shoot will come up from the stump of Jesse;
from his roots a Branch will bear fruit…
4 …with righteousness he will judge the needy,
with justice he will give decisions for the poor of the earth. Isaiah 11:1, 4a (NIV)
The prophet Jeremiah tells us that this new, righteous King will also be called Lord and Savior. He will be God, and as the Magi had known and demonstrated, He will be worthy of worship when He comes.
5 “The days are coming,” declares the Lord,
“when I will raise up for David a righteous Branch,
a King who will reign wisely
and do what is just and right in the land.
6 … This is the name by which he will be called:
The Lord Our Righteous Savior. Jeremiah 23:5, 6b (NIV)
There are other references to this righteous Branch throughout the Bible, including one by the prophet Zechariah. These prophecies point to something new and different growing out of the pre-existent, holy line of David. When Jesus was born in Bethlehem, He was the fulfillment of these Branch prophecies. He is the coming King, the Messiah, that the scripture points to. The Magi in the east had been given great wisdom to read and understand this, and responded with their search for this righteous Branch once His star appeared before them. We would be wise to do the same whenever He reveals Himself to us in some form or fashion.
Reflection
Like the Magi, God gives us the spiritual insight to recognize Jesus Christ as the fulfillment of prophetic scripture, the righteous Branch. Do I have the will that the Magi had to actively seek Him out and to worship Him?
Lord, continue to teach me through scripture about Jesus, the righteous Branch, and eternal King from David’s line. Draw me closer to You and help me to sit at the feet of Jesus to absorb Your divine goodness, wisdom and love. May we love and worship You and share Your love and blessings with others. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.
Have a beautiful, blessed day in the Lord today.
Daily Meditations from the Genealogy of Jesus 