My beloved spiritual children in Christ Our Only True God and Our Only True Savior,
CHRIST IS IN OUR MIDST! HE WAS, IS, AND EVER SHALL BE.
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THE NATIVITY OF OUR LORD AND SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST: THE MAGI (Part II)
Herod Makes Inquiries
Entering Jerusalem, the Wise Men asked, "Where is He Who was born King of the Jews? For we saw His star in the east, and came to do homage to Him." But after Herod the king heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him" (Matthew 2:3).
Why was Herod overcome with wrath? This is because His kingdom would soon come to an end. Why was Jerusalem troubled with him? This is because they were living in unrighteousness, and the time of censure had come. Sadly, Saint John Chrysostomos comments, "See, too, how the Jewish people are troubled, though they should rejoice that it was a Jewish king that was born. But they were troubled because the wicked can never rejoice at the coming of the just. Hence we have, 'And all Jerusalem with him.'
The Protoevanggelion relates the following. Herod then sent messengers to the priests (rabbis) and to the Wise Men whose names were Melchior, Gaspar, and Balthazar, so that he might pose inquiries to them in the public hall. Now when Herod had gathered all the chief priests (rabbis) and scribes of the people together, he demanded of them where it was written concerning Christ (messiah) the King and where should be born.
"And after he gathered all the priests (rabbis) and scribes of the people he kept on inquiring of them where the Christ is born" (Matthew 2:4).
Saint John Chrysostomos asks, "To what end did Herod, who did not believe in the Scriptures, question them? Or, if he believed, how did he hope to kill Him Whom they said was to be the future King? But Herod was urged on by the devil, who did not believe that Scripture lied."
The Jews then answered: "And thou, Bethlehem, in the land of Juda, art in no wise the least among the governors of Juda; for out of thee shall come forth a Governor Who shall shepherd My people Israel" (Matthew 2:6).
However, was the Prophet Micah had actually said is as follows: "And thou, Bethlehem, house of Ephratha, art few in number to be reckoned among the thousands of Juda; yet out of thee shall One come forth to Me, to be a Ruler in Israel; and His goings forth were from the beginning, even from eternity" (Micah 5:2).
Saint Gregory the Great writes: "Fitting was it that He was born in Bethlehem; for Bethlehem is interpreted as the 'House of Bread'; for He says of Himself, "I am the Bread, the Living one, the One having come down out of the heavens" (John 6:51).
Saint John Chrysostomos says: "After Herod had received an answer, he believed it to be credible for two reasons: first, because it was spoken by the priests (rabbis); and second, because it was confirmed by prophetic testimony. Herod was not inclined toward reverence for the newborn King, rather, he was disposed to commit that evil slaughter--and that by treachery. He perceived that he could not beguile the Magi by flattery, nor frighten them by threats, nor corrupt them by gold, so as to force them to consent to the death of the future King; accordingly, he planned to deceive them."
Here too, Saint John Chrysostomos points out a wondrous dispensation: "The Jews and the Magi mutually teach each other. The Jews learn from the Magi that a star in the east had proclaimed the Christ, and the Magi learn from the Jews that of old the prophecies have foretold Him. Thus strengthened by this twofold testimony, the Magi desired Him with more ardent faith."
The Wise Men Before Herod
"Then Herod, after he secretly called the Magi, inquired carefully of them the time of the appearing star" (Matthew 2:7).
"Herod was struck with amazement, seeing the piety of the Magi and, overcome by wrath, he inquired concerning when the Child was born."
And having sent away the chief priests (rabbis), Herod inquired diligently of the Wise Men, and said unto them, "What was the sign that did appear concerning the King Who is born?" They answered him declaring, "We saw an extraordinary large star shining among the stars of heaven. It outshone all the other stars, so that they became indiscernible. We knew, thereby, that a Great King was born in Israel and, therefore, we came to worship Him."
Thus, Herod had a private audience with the Magi. Saint John Chrysostomos discloses that "he called them secretly, so that the Jews might not see that he suspected them; lest also, perhaps, they, preferring a King of their own race (and rejecting him), should betray his purpose."
Saint John Chrysostomos adds that "each (Satan and Herod) is troubled by his own greed, and fears a succession to his kingdom: Herod an earthly successor, the devil a heavenly one."
Herod then sent them to Bethlehem and said, "Go and search diligently for the young Child; and when ye 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. When they saw the Star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy" (Matthew 2:8-10).
Herod reigned to revere the Child when, in reality, he planned violence. Saint Kosmas characterized Herod "as the troubled enemy of God, who, in his wild madness, plotted how he might slay Christ."
Saint John Chrysostomos brings to our attention that, when the Magi were in that place, "the Star had hidden from them. Hence, they were compelled to make inquiry in Jerusalem concerning Christ. Thus, at the same time, they made Him known. This took place for two reasons. First, for the confounding of the Jews; for the Magi, encouraged only by the rising of a star, have been seeking Christ, and in strange lands, while the Jews, who have been reading from their childhood the prophecies that spoke of Christ (Messiah), and though He was born in their midst, have not received Him. Secondly, so that the priests (rabbis), being questioned as to where Christ was born, would make answer to their own condemnation, "from Bethlehem"; because they who had instructed Herod concerning Christ, were themselves without knowledge of Him. Thus, after the Magi made their inquiry, the Star appeared. And they, observing the obedience of the Star, understood the dignity of the King."
The Wise Men Enter the House
The Magi, being led by the Star, followed it "till it came and stood over where the young Child was" (Matthew 2:9) with His Mother. Now by this time, Joseph had secured a room for the Theotokos and her Son. Thus, in Orthodox iconography of "The Veneration of the Magi," they are depicted in a house, which is in agreement with the words of the Evangelist Matthew that "they (the Magi) came into the house (εις τήν οικίαν) [Matthew 2:11]. The Theotokos is usually seen sitting on a throne with a high polygonal back. The Christ Jesus is sitting on His Mother's lap.
"And after they came into the house, they saw the young Child with Mary His Mother, and fell down and did homage to Him" (Matthew 2:11).
Saint Leo the Great remarks that the Magi beheld a child, "small in size, depending on others, powerless to act, differing in no way from any other human infant; for the Son of God had assumed the true nature of man." Saint John of Damascus writes that "they saw Thee wrapped in swaddling clothes...Who sharest all our suffering. And in joy, they gazed upon Thee, Who art at once both mortal and Lord."
The Magi did not see before them either scepter or throne, only utter poverty. Saint John Chrysostomos adds that "He was not crowned with a diadem, nor resting on a gilded bed...If, therefore, they had come searching for all earthly king, they would have been rather mortified than filled with exceeding joy, for they would have undertaken the toil of a journey without reward. But now they seek a heavenly King, though they saw in Him nothing regal; yet satisfied by the testimony of a Star, their eyes were glad as they looked upon a poor little child; for the Spirit within them showed that He was a Being of awe." Saint John Chrysostomos further comments, "What moved them to venerate Him? For the Virgin bore no distinguishing mark, and the abode which would either compel them or induce them to do this...What was it then that moved them?...The Star and the Light that God had placed in their hearts led them step by step to more perfect knowledge."
The Magi Open Their Treasures
"And after they opened their treasures, they offered gifts to Him: gold, and frankincense and myrrh" (Matthew 2:11).
Then they brought forth out of their treasures. "And eagerly opening their treasures, they offered to Him precious gifts: refined gold, as to the King of the ages, and frankincense, as to the God of All; and myrrh they offered to the immortal, as to one three days dead."
What was the significance of these gifts? Hymns from the Canon of the Forefeast disclose their meaning. "The kings, first-fruits of the nations, bring Thee gifts;...by myrrh they point to Thy death, by gold to Thy royal power, by frankincense to the dignity of Thy Divinity." Furthermore, "The error of Persia has ceased: for the stargazers, kings of the east, bring gifts of gold, myrrh, and frankincense to Christ the King of all at His birth."
Saint John Chrysostomos and Saint Gregory the Great make an important observation: the Magi did not return by the same route. Saint John writes that "It was not possible that, after having come from Herod to Christ, they should return again to Herod." Concurring with this, Saint Gregory writes: "They intimate something here of great import. Our true country is Paradise, to which, having now come to the knowledge of Jesus, we are forbidden to return by the path we left." (Source: The Great Synaxaristes of the Orthodox Church)
Through the intercessions of Thy Saints, O Christ God, have mercy on us. Amen.
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"Glory Be To GOD For All Things!" - Saint John Chrysostomos
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With sincere agape in His Holy Diakonia (Ministry)
The sinner and unworthy servant of God
+Father George