After Jesus was born in Bethlehem, men from the East claiming to have seen His star rising in the sky came to Jerusalem looking for Him (Matthew 2:1-12). These individuals have traditionally been known as “wise men” and they were evidently astrologers. There was something about the star that indicated to them a king had been born, and so they came to Jerusalem to find the king and pay homage to Him. They had come searching for the One “born King of the Jews” and Jerusalem the capital city would be the logical place to start. But the Jews already had a king. Herod was the king of Judea, and would suffer no rival.
In their attempt to find this king whose star they had seen, the wise men asked, “Where is He who has been born King of the Jews?” Herod also wanted to know not that he might honor Him, but kill Him as a possible rival (Mat.2:16). Therefore, Herod called the chief priests and scribes together to ask them where the Christ was to be born. Their answer brings us to what is perhaps the main purpose for this passage of Scripture. They indicate the answer from the prophet Micah, “But you Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are not the least among the rulers of Judah. For out of you shall come a Ruler Who will shepherd my people Israel.” The Jewish readers of Matthew’s account of the genesis of Jesus were not only informed that Jesus had the right genealogy to be Israel’s Messiah-King (Mat.1:1-17), and the right birth (vv.18-25), but also the right birth place!
Jesus is the promised One! God sent Him into the world to be King and Savior. He will serve as King over Israel and over all the nations at His second coming. At His first coming He died on the cross and rose again to “save” all who believe in Him from their sins thus securing for them a place in His glorious presence forever. Receive Him today as your own personal Savior and Lord!