The Story of Jesus

Wise Men Seek Him

Far to the east of Judea lived certain Wise Men who studied the stars. One night they discovered a new star. By this God made them know that Christ had been born.

These Wise Men feared God, and they wanted to see the child who was to be the Savior of the world. At once they planned to take rich gifts to the newborn king and 

to worship him as their Savior.

Many days they traveled across the desert to Judea. They hurried to Jerusalem, for surely the wonderful child would be in the most beautiful and famous city.

Herod, the ruler, was troubled. Why were these strangers riding on camels into his city? Why did they ask, "Where is he that is born king of the Jews? We have seen his star in the east and have come to worship him.

" Herod knew nothing about the newborn king. What can this mean? he wondered. Calling the chief priests and scribes, he demanded, "Where is the Savior to be born?" The chief priests and scribes remembered what the prophets had written long ago. They answered, "The Savior is to be born in Bethlehem. He is to rule his people."

Now Herod was more worried. What if this newborn king should take away his throne? Secretly he called the Wise Men and asked, "When did you see this star?" When they told him, he said, "Go to Bethlehem and search diligently for the young child. When you have found him, let me know that I may come and worship him."

Outside the city gates the Wise Men saw the same bright star they had seen in the east country. It seemed to lead them. Surely God was helping them find Jesus.

At Bethlehem the star stood still over the place where Jesus was. At last they had found the newborn king! Falling to their knees they worshiped him. Opening their treasures, they gave him rich gifts—gold, frankincense, and myrrh.

Before the Wise Men left Bethlehem, God told them in a dream not to go back to Herod. So they returned to their own country by another road.