Matthew 2:1–6 (ESV)
The Visit of the Wise Men
2 Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem, 2 saying, “Where is he who has been born
king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.” 3 When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him; 4 and assembling all the
chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. 5 They told him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for so it is written by the prophet:
6
“ ‘And you, O Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,
are by no means least among the rulers of Judah;
for from you shall
come a ruler
who will shepherd my people Israel.’ ”
It is interesting that the chief priests and
scribes knew where the Christ was to be born… Bethlehem. But what is more interesting is the statement: “When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him.” Why were the people troubled? Well,
Herod was not a stable person and if he is troubled… then everybody else is troubled! It means that they will have to pay the price. When Herod gets mad, everyone suffers. So… that is why they are all troubled!
I pray: O Lord, I pray for peace and for our leaders to not be troubled or threatened. Protect us when they are troubled. Amen.