Reflections

They said to him, “In Bethlehem of Judea; for this is what has been written by the prophet:

‘AND YOU, BETHLEHEM, LAND OF JUDAH,
 ARE BY NO MEANS LEAST AMONG THE LEADERS OF JUDAH;
 FOR OUT OF YOU SHALL COME FORTH A RULER
WHO WILL SHEPHERD MY PEOPLE ISRAEL.'”

Then Herod secretly called the magi and determined from them the exact time the star appeared.  And he sent them to Bethlehem and said, “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.” Matthew 2:5-8

When King Herod heard about the news about the Messiah being born he became troubled and so did Jerusalem.  Why would they be troubled?  King Herod had heard that the Messiah was to be King and His Kingdom would be everlasting.  That would trouble anyone in power.  It also troubled the scribes and chief priests.  King Herod sent the Magi to really spy on the baby Jesus.  He had no intention to worship Him.  Instead King Herod sought how he might kill Jesus. 

There were many prophesies about the coming of Jesus and not everyone would be happy about His birth and life on earth, especially the enemy.  The devil is a defeated foe.  Jesus Christ has defeated the works of Satan.  But Satan still tried to do whatever he could to stop God’s plan for salvation.  But it is great to know that no one can stop God.  His will is sovereign and will come to pass.  It was God’s will that Jesus come to earth and live among us and die for us.  The gates of hell did not prevail in the destruction of man and in trying to stop Jesus.  Jesus is the answer and the reason we celebrate this season.