Mat 2:11 | KingComments | STEP | Without saying a word to Herod, the magi go their way. When they are outside, they see again the star they have seen at the moment of the birth of the Lord Jesus. That star led them to depart, but the star did not lead them along the way. The star now goes before them to the place where the Lord Jesus is. Seeing the star brings them great joy. God always provides guidance for all who walk according to the light they have, even if it is so little. The present and added light always leads to Christ and gives great joy. They come into a house and not into a stable (cf. ). This is also an indication that quite some time has passed since the birth of the Lord Jesus. They see “the Child with Mary His mother” and worship the Child. Mary is not an object of worship. The treasures they have brought are opened. They offer gifts to the Child. These gifts fit this Child and symbolically point to the glory of His Person and to both the excellence and end of His life on earth. Gold represents His Divine glory. The frankincense is the sweet-smelling savor that emanates from His life to His surroundings and ascends to God. The myrrh speaks of the suffering and death which He will undergo. Christ is found in a house. We can apply this to God’s house in this time, that is the church of God ( ). The Spirit always leads people who seek Him to the church. He is only to be found there. There He is the object of worship. The magi represent the nations. Christ is “the hope of glory” for the nations ( ). This scene also looks forward to the time after the church, when the nations come to honor Him ( ). After their tribute to the born King of the Jews, the magi receive direction from God not to return to Herod. Here too they are allow themselves to be led by what God says. That’s why they don’t go via Jerusalem again, but return to their country on another way.

‏ Matthew 2:11

The Magi With the Child

Without saying a word to Herod, the magi go their way. When they are outside, they see again the star they have seen at the moment of the birth of the Lord Jesus. That star led them to depart, but the star did not lead them along the way. The star now goes before them to the place where the Lord Jesus is. Seeing the star brings them great joy. God always provides guidance for all who walk according to the light they have, even if it is so little. The present and added light always leads to Christ and gives great joy.

They come into a house and not into a stable (cf. Lk 2:7). This is also an indication that quite some time has passed since the birth of the Lord Jesus. They see “the Child with Mary His mother” and worship the Child. Mary is not an object of worship. The treasures they have brought are opened. They offer gifts to the Child. These gifts fit this Child and symbolically point to the glory of His Person and to both the excellence and end of His life on earth. Gold represents His Divine glory. The frankincense is the sweet-smelling savor that emanates from His life to His surroundings and ascends to God. The myrrh speaks of the suffering and death which He will undergo.

Christ is found in a house. We can apply this to God’s house in this time, that is the church of God (1Tim 3:15). The Spirit always leads people who seek Him to the church. He is only to be found there. There He is the object of worship. The magi represent the nations. Christ is “the hope of glory” for the nations (Col 1:27). This scene also looks forward to the time after the church, when the nations come to honor Him (Psa 72:11).

After their tribute to the born King of the Jews, the magi receive direction from God not to return to Herod. Here too they are allow themselves to be led by what God says. That’s why they don’t go via Jerusalem again, but return to their country on another way.