In Matthew 2:1-2, we read: “Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, saying, 'Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the East and have come to worship Him.’”
First to observe the star, Belteshazzar reported it to his colleagues, the Magi. A thorough search of the ancient sacred books revealed the promise of a coming King to the Hebrews. A King and a savior. He couldn’t leave his dying father but promised to follow soon, the star still shining bright. Months later, he started out. A small caravan for protection and his fortune invested in three gifts for the King. An emerald, a ruby and a pearl--gems of great price.
Weeping and cries of anguish assaulted him as he neared Bethlehem. Soldiers moved from house to house, killing the baby boys, two years and under. He opened the door to a home, saw a mother clinging to her baby, her eyes wide in terror. He put his finger to his lips, closed the door, leaned against it. A Roman soldier walked up to him.
“Step aside. All baby boys must...” He gasped as Belteshazzar opened his hand. The brilliance of the ruby danced in the morning light. The soldier grabbed the gem, moved to the next house.
Years passed, still he searched for the King. On the Jericho road, he found a man beaten and left for dead. He put him on his donkey, carried him to an inn. “Take care of him.” When the innkeeper looked doubtful, he pulled from his purse, the emerald.
Before a family could be evicted from their home, the pearl satisfied the greedy tax collector.
Now he entered Jerusalem, heart hurting, hands empty. Caught up in the crowd, he moved with them. He saw three crosses. On the middle one, a sign read: THIS IS JESUS, THE KING ON THE JEWS. He’d missed Him. He returned to Jerusalem, shoulders slumped, head bowed, and stood by a building in the eerie darkness. The ground began to shake, buildings tumbled around him. Hit by a slab of roof, he fell to his knees. He heard the voice: “Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. ‘Enter into the joy of your lord’”
Kingdom Thinking. Like Belteshazzar, we are pilgrims, seeking the King. He promised never to leave nor forsake us. He loves us with an everlasting love. Have you seen His Star? Do you worship Him? He waits for you.
First to observe the star, Belteshazzar reported it to his colleagues, the Magi. A thorough search of the ancient sacred books revealed the promise of a coming King to the Hebrews. A King and a savior. He couldn’t leave his dying father but promised to follow soon, the star still shining bright. Months later, he started out. A small caravan for protection and his fortune invested in three gifts for the King. An emerald, a ruby and a pearl--gems of great price.
“Step aside. All baby boys must...” He gasped as Belteshazzar opened his hand. The brilliance of the ruby danced in the morning light. The soldier grabbed the gem, moved to the next house.
Years passed, still he searched for the King. On the Jericho road, he found a man beaten and left for dead. He put him on his donkey, carried him to an inn. “Take care of him.” When the innkeeper looked doubtful, he pulled from his purse, the emerald.
Before a family could be evicted from their home, the pearl satisfied the greedy tax collector.
Now he entered Jerusalem, heart hurting, hands empty. Caught up in the crowd, he moved with them. He saw three crosses. On the middle one, a sign read: THIS IS JESUS, THE KING ON THE JEWS. He’d missed Him. He returned to Jerusalem, shoulders slumped, head bowed, and stood by a building in the eerie darkness. The ground began to shake, buildings tumbled around him. Hit by a slab of roof, he fell to his knees. He heard the voice: “Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. ‘Enter into the joy of your lord’”
Kingdom Thinking. Like Belteshazzar, we are pilgrims, seeking the King. He promised never to leave nor forsake us. He loves us with an everlasting love. Have you seen His Star? Do you worship Him? He waits for you.