Rejoicing Over the Star Matthew 2:10

Matthew shared what happened when, “Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, Saying, 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. When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he demanded of them where Christ should be born. And they said unto him, In Bethlehem of Judea: for thus it is written by the prophet. And you Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are you not the least among the princes of Judah: for out of you shall come a Governor, that shall rule my people Israel. Then Herod, when he had privily called the wise men, inquired of them diligently what time the star appeared. And he sent them to Bethlehem, and said, Go and search diligently for the young child; and when you have found him, bring me word again, that I may come and worship him also. When they had heard the king, they departed; and, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was”, and in chapter two and verse ten of his book, Matthew shares when the “wise men” “saw the star, they rejoiced” where we read:

When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy.

The verse reads, “When they saw the star, ...” Matthew began with the word, “when” which means “at the time and moment” “they saw” or “the wise men perceived, noticed, discerned and discovered” “the star” or “the star they had followed in the sky”. Matthew referred to the moment when the “wise men” again noticed the “star” that lead them to Jerusalem.

The verse continues, “... they rejoiced with exceeding great joy.” Matthew added the words, “they rejoiced” which means “the wise men were exceedingly glad and cheerful” “with exceeding great joy” or “with a high degree, vehement and fervently massive and abundant gladness and cheer”. Matthew shared how the “wise men” were overcome with “joy” when they noticed the “star” again.

When we think through Matthew's words in this verse, we see the exuberant response of the “wise men” to seeing the “star” which lead them again. They were overcome with “joy” as they knew this “star” would lead them to where the Messiah King of the Jews was located. God desires for everyone to notice the “signs” He provides that point to His Son Jesus, and those who are wise shall “rejoice abundantly” when they realize these “signs” lead to the “Savior of the World”.

Next time Matthew shares how the wise men, “when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore.