But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, are only a small village among all the people of Judah. Yet a ruler of Israel will come from you, one whose origins are from the distant past.*
People from all nations are searching for this person. Even 2000 years ago, there were wise men from the east (tradition has added that there were three of them), they came searching for a king. This man would not only be a ruler of Israel and king of the Jews, but Ruler and King of the whole world.
Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the reign of King Herod. About that time some wise men from eastern lands arrived in Jerusalem, asking, “Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We saw his star as it rose, and we have come to worship him.”**
In ancient times gods were connected to places, if you moved out of the region of one god, and entered another you started worshiping that other god. Time and time again the biblical God showed that He was a God beyond borders! Jonah, just before he got swallowed by a big fish, was sailing away from Judea to try get away from God, but that didn't work and God caused a storm so frightening that the sailors demanded to know which god was angered and who had done it! A god beyond a particular place, must be powerful and important. After Jonah was thrown into the sea, God stilled the storm. "The sailors were awestruck by the Lord’s great power, and they offered him a sacrifice and vowed to serve him". ***
The God of Israel proved He was mightier than other gods, that His power reached beyond the boarders of his people. The wise men from the east must have understood this too when they decided to travel long distances in search of another kingdoms king, and worship him! This King of the Jews didn't turn out to be the king everyone was looking for, He never took up his throne, or conquered the Roman occupiers, He never wore armour or wielded a sword. Yet, He was there to bring about a different kingdom, not only for the people in Judea 2000 years ago, He is a King beyond boarders, for everyone, worthy to be praised and worshiped.
The God of Israel proved He was mightier than other gods, that His power reached beyond the boarders of his people. The wise men from the east must have understood this too when they decided to travel long distances in search of another kingdoms king, and worship him! This King of the Jews didn't turn out to be the king everyone was looking for, He never took up his throne, or conquered the Roman occupiers, He never wore armour or wielded a sword. Yet, He was there to bring about a different kingdom, not only for the people in Judea 2000 years ago, He is a King beyond boarders, for everyone, worthy to be praised and worshiped.
Kings are hard to imagine in our time. The only kings I know about are Disney stories or figure heads. They don't have much power or importance. That isn't the kind of King what God is. He represents and protects his people.
**Matthew 2:1-2
***Jonah 1:3-16
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