Although some traditional pictures show the baby Jesus in a stable surrounded by Magi (wise men who may have been 'king-making' pagan priests from Persia), Matthew tells us that their visit to Jerusalem and Bethlehem was after Christ’s birth.  By the time they arrived, Jesus was a 'young child' and not an infant; He was in a house and not a stable (Matthew 2:11), and after Herod asked about when the star appeared, he ordered the destruction of all the boys in Bethlehem under two years old (Matthew 2:16).  So, Jesus was older than a new-born but was less than two years old.

We hardly know anything about these Magi, or how they came to know that the King of the Jews had been born.  They may have read Balaam’s prophecy in their ancient literature.  Although Balaam was another pagan priest, he could only speak about Israel what God wanted him to say (Numbers 22:38).  In Numbers 24:17-19 Balaam said, “… A star will come out of Jacob; a sceptre will rise out of Israel.  He will crush the foreheads of Moab, the skulls of all the people of Sheth.  Edom will be conquered; Seir, his enemy, will be conquered, but Israel will grow strong.  A ruler will come out of Jacob …”

Seeing and following the star, the Magi went straight to King Herod’s palace in Jerusalem.  Perhaps they assumed that the child was his son.  But the puppet-king installed by the Romans knew nothing about the birth.  However, the remainder of the chapter shows Herod’s anxious and angry response.  He did not want any rival king in his country, especially one who could claim to be from King David’s tribe of Judah.  He did not want any king worshipped, except himself.

The Son of God is the Creator and Sustainer of this world (Colossians 1:15-17), and when He arrived on earth His words and miracles demonstrated He is its Ruler and King.  So it is absolutely right to worship Him above all other people or things.  But that is the challenge.  To worship Jesus more than others is threatening to them and potentially dangerous for us; yet there is no other way.  Jesus said, “Anyone who loves their life will lose it, while anyone who hates their life in this world will keep it for eternal life. Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be. My Father will honour the one who serves me.” (John 12:25-26)  God will only honour those who serve King Jesus.  Whoever or whatever is your greatest authority, put Jesus higher!