“Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judae’a in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men form 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.”  (Matthew 2 [show]Matthew 2 The Visit of the Wise Men [2:1]Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men(1) from the east came to Jerusalem, [2]saying, "Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose(2) and have come to worship him." [3]When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him; [4]and assembling all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. [5]They told him, "In Bethlehem of Judea, for so it is written by the prophet: [6]"'And you, O Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for from you shall come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel.'" [7]Then Herod summoned the wise men secretly and ascertained from them what time the star had appeared. [8]And he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, "Go and search diligently for the child, and when you have found him, bring me word, that I too may come and worship him." [9]After listening to the king, they went on their way. And behold, the star that they had seen when it rose went before them until it came to rest over the place where the child was. [10]When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. [11]And going into the house they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh. [12]And being warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed to their own country by another way. The Flight to Egypt [13]Now when they had departed, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, "Rise, take the child and his mother, and flee to Egypt, and remain there until I tell you, for Herod is about to search for the child, to destroy him." [14]And he rose and took the child and his mother by night and departed to Egypt [15]and remained there until the death of Herod. This was to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet, "Out of Egypt I called my son." Herod Kills the Children [16]Then Herod, when he saw that he had been tricked by the wise men, became furious, and he sent and killed all the male children in Bethlehem and in all that region who were two years old or under, according to the time that he had ascertained from the wise men. [17]Then was fulfilled what was spoken by the prophet Jeremiah: [18]"A voice was heard in Ramah, weeping and loud lamentation, Rachel weeping for her children; she refused to be comforted, because they are no more." The Return to Nazareth [19]But when Herod died, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt, [20]saying, "Rise, take the child and his mother and go to the land of Israel, for those who sought the child's life are dead." [21]And he rose and took the child and his mother and went to the land of Israel. [22]But when he heard that Archelaus was reigning over Judea in place of his father Herod, he was afraid to go there, and being warned in a dream he withdrew to the district of Galilee. [23]And he went and lived in a city called Nazareth, that what was spoken by the prophets might be fulfilled: "He shall be called a Nazarene." (ESV) Footnotes 1. [2:1] Greek 'magi'; also verses 7, 16 2. [2:2] Or 'in the east'; also verse 9
1:2).  The wise men were on a mission to welcome Christ into the world, so they

approached the sitting King Herod as to the whereabouts of Christ the eternal king.  Herod was perplexed because He was the sitting king, and anyone else proclaiming that title was disrespecting him.  Herod knew nothing about what the three wise men were telling him.  Christ’s birth had already been foretold, but of course the powers that be were not concerned, for they felt it was another tale passed down from one generation to the next.  Herod was troubled by what the wise men told him about this new king being born, because he didn’t want anybody challenging his position.  The attitude in which Herod possessed is the same attitudes that we find daily in the community as well as in our own local churches.  Many times people fight change just because they are set in the ways that they do things.  Herod needed to be concerned, but his concern was for the wrong kingdom.  Jesus was born King, but His kingdom was not of this world, but eternal in the heavens and in man’s heart.  Herod was ruler of Judae’a, but Christ is ruler of the world.  The King is here!!!  Christ died for the remission of our sins, so that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life in eternity with Him and the Father.  The King of Kings is here!  Herod was so destraught that he told the wise men when you find Him come back and tell me where He is.  I’m glad God is omniscient and omnipresent, because Herod wanted Christ dead so bad that when the wise men did not return with Christ’s location, Herod sent out hit squads to kill all male children two years and younger.  Thank God for His mercy, because he warned Joseph in a dream to flee from Bethlehem into Egypt.  Christ died on Calvary and rose early the third day morning with all power in His hand.  Jesus went back to heaven on a cloud and is due to return at anytime to receive His church without spot, wrinkle, or blemish.  THE KING IS HERE!!!!