"After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, 'Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him.'
When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him." Matthew 2:1-3
When Jesus enters a scene something fascinating happens. He always creates a disturbance. Lives are turned upside down and inside out. Hearts are revealed, motives laid bare. Once he is declared to be who he is, there is always a reaction. Some worship, some try to ignore him, and others respond with loathing. But no one is ever neutral. No one ever leaves the same.
Wise Men from the East saw a star, and with open, humble hearts they searched for the one who was born king of the Jews. Though not Jews themselves, they traveled far from their homeland following a star to Jerusalem to find him. They came with expensive gifts to kneel before him who was not their king and worship. The true beauty of this story is that God, by sending this star at this time to these men from the East, was in fact declaring that this Jesus, born in Bethlehem, was not just king of the Jews, but King of all. The Magi's star was God's tangible sign to the world that his heart, his call, his salvation is for all people.
Within the story of the Wise Men stands Herod, an evil, self-serving ruler to whom God also offered an opportunity to seek, find, and worship the king of the Jews. Through the chief priests and teachers of the law, Herod was given more information regarding who this baby was than the Magi had when they began following the star. Yet the moment this child was declared to be the long-awaited king of the Jews, Herod's hard heart became harder and more dark, threatened by this little one who he believed could usurp him and take his power. Herod, blinded by his ruthless pride, could not see beyond his desperate, bloodthirsty need for control. The Magi acknowledged the baby's rightful rule and bowed down; Herod rejected it, and sought to destroy him. Herod was unwilling to consider, unwilling to look deeper, unwilling to let this baby be to him what he came to be for all.
Herod was not the only one troubled at the news of a baby born king of the Jews; all of Jerusalem was disturbed along with him. One would think that the Jewish leaders might be something other than upset. Maybe curious or hopeful, maybe expectant or excited, anything but disturbed. The sad reality is that Jesus got more of a reaction out of the Magi and Herod, than he did his own people. The Wise Men pursued him until he was found and worshipped. Herod sought him in order to kill him. The Jewish leaders did nothing. There is no mention of these men diligently searching for more information within the Scriptures, or seeking insight from the Lord. They did nothing in response to the "disturbance" that the Wisemen created by their announcement that the king of the Jews had been born. They chose to ignore the first of many opportunities given to them to understand that their King, their long-awaited Messiah had come, that he was here, that their salvation was at hand. Many years would pass, but the Jewish leaders would once again be confronted with the presence of this King, and they would be no less disturbed; but this time they would not, could not ignore him. They responded this time with hatred. The reality is that when all is said and done, regardless of how hard people may try, Jesus can't be ignored. He is God, and this truth always requires a response. In the end, whatever the choice, every knee will bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord.
The truth of Jesus' identity as God and Savior always creates a disturbance. Some humbly bow the knee in worship, some try to ignore him, and others loathe him; but all somehow find themselves affected by him. And all the while God continues to shower his grace on mankind, patiently waiting, extending invitation after invitation; for he desires that none should perish, but that all worship him in spirit and in truth. Advent's message to mankind is "for God so loved the world." And through the story of the Wise Men comes an urgent plea to every heart: "Seek him, follow him, worship him. He is Savior and King of all."