Christmas Morning 1777

Matthew 2:2

Where is he that is born King of the Jews?
For we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.

The Lord knows his people, and will find means that they, however circumstanced, shall come to know him.

1.	Jesus is a king
	1.1	King of all,
			and especially king of the Jews, the true Israel (Romans 2:29 [1]).
	1.2	Born a king –
			by an original right – their Redeemer the Holy One of Israel – before his birth – and came to his own (John 1:11 [2]).

2.	The enquirers
	Wise men of the East – at a great distance – probably like those called Chaldeans in Daniel – we might say, philosophers. A principal study in the East was astronomy, but without this one star, the knowledge of all the rest would have left them miserable.
	2.1	Their guidance: no common star.

		Neither fixed star or planet. A light – in appearance a star, which they saw in their own country, and again at Bethlehem leading them to the very house. But there was more than this – certainly a divine revelation to their mind – how else should the sight of a new star lead their thoughts to Jesus? Here, an emblem of the work of grace – a light is seen, the heart drawn.
		This light:
		2.1.1	the Gospel - written or preached – the Word is a light in a dark place
		2.1.2	the Holy Spirit
	2.2	Their declaration: we have seen:
		2.2.1	expressing their own certainty
		2.2.2	to excite the attention of others
		2.2.3	expecting information from a people who had the Scriptures – might they not wonder they went forward by themselves?
	2.3	Their design: to worship
		Jesus the proper object of worship – of admiration, praise, profession, love, trust and service. Are these your views of worship? (Psalm 45:11 [3])
	2.4	They are come
		They who are apprised of his glory will come, will use diligence, wait, read, pray, hear. These came a long journey. Enquiring souls are busy in earnest.

Shall these wise men condemn us in judgement? You have seen the star – heard the message. Do you yet sit still?

You that are indeed come to worship, admire his love, approach his table. He who once lay in the manger will be there.

Endotes:

[1]	Romans 2:29 But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God.
[2]	John 1:11 He came unto his own, and his own received him not.
[3]	So shall the king greatly desire thy beauty: for he is thy Lord; and worship thou him.

Acknowledgments:
Manuscript: Newton's Notebook No. 35, Cowper & Newton Museum

Marylynn Rouse, 20/01/2014