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.’”
“What story tonight, Grandfather? Hope it’s exciting.” Grandfather tilted his head.
“Belteshazzar reported a large star to his colleagues, the Magi. The ancient sacred book revealed the promise of a coming King to the Hebrews. This must be His Star. He couldn’t leave his dying father but promised to follow, the star still shining bright. Months later, he started out, his fortune invested in three gifts for the King. An emerald, a ruby and a pearl--gems of great price.
“Weeping assaulted him as he neared Bethlehem. Soldiers moved from house to house, killing the baby boys, two years and under.”
Timmy sat upright. “Why...?” Grandfather held up his hand.
“He opened the door to a home. A mother clung to her baby, her eyes wide in terror. Finger to his lips, he 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 dancing in the morning light. He grabbed the gem, moved on.
“Years passed in his search. He found a man beaten and left for dead. He put him on his donkey, carried him to an inn. ‘Take care of him.’ Thee innkeeper’s frown turned to a smile when he snatched the emerald for payment.
“The pearl satisfied a greedy tax collector instead of evicting a family from their home.
“He entered Jerusalem, heart hurting, hands empty. Caught up in the jostling crowd, he looked up to see three crosses. A sign on the middle cross read: This is Jesus, the King of the Jews. He’d failed. He returned to Jerusalem, shoulders slumped, and stood by a building in the eerie darkness. The ground shook, buildings tumbled. Hit by a slab of roof, he fell to his knees. Then 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’”
“Grandfather? The voice was the Lord Jesus?” At Grandfather’s nod, he took a deep breath. “Awesome, but why did He always miss the Lord. Seems like he was always a few steps behind.”
“Things are not as they seem, Timmy. We seek the King. He arranges the path.”
Kingdom Thinking. Like Belteshazzar, we are pilgrims, seeking the King. He promises never to leave nor forsake us. He loves us with an everlasting love. Have you seen His Star? He waits for you.
Retelling of The Other Wise Man by Henry Van Dyke.
“What story tonight, Grandfather? Hope it’s exciting.” Grandfather tilted his head.
“Belteshazzar reported a large star to his colleagues, the Magi. The ancient sacred book revealed the promise of a coming King to the Hebrews. This must be His Star. He couldn’t leave his dying father but promised to follow, the star still shining bright. Months later, he started out, his fortune invested in three gifts for the King. An emerald, a ruby and a pearl--gems of great price.
“Weeping assaulted him as he neared Bethlehem. Soldiers moved from house to house, killing the baby boys, two years and under.”Timmy sat upright. “Why...?” Grandfather held up his hand.
“He opened the door to a home. A mother clung to her baby, her eyes wide in terror. Finger to his lips, he 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 dancing in the morning light. He grabbed the gem, moved on.
“Years passed in his search. He found a man beaten and left for dead. He put him on his donkey, carried him to an inn. ‘Take care of him.’ Thee innkeeper’s frown turned to a smile when he snatched the emerald for payment.
“The pearl satisfied a greedy tax collector instead of evicting a family from their home.
“He entered Jerusalem, heart hurting, hands empty. Caught up in the jostling crowd, he looked up to see three crosses. A sign on the middle cross read: This is Jesus, the King of the Jews. He’d failed. He returned to Jerusalem, shoulders slumped, and stood by a building in the eerie darkness. The ground shook, buildings tumbled. Hit by a slab of roof, he fell to his knees. Then 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’”
“Grandfather? The voice was the Lord Jesus?” At Grandfather’s nod, he took a deep breath. “Awesome, but why did He always miss the Lord. Seems like he was always a few steps behind.”
“Things are not as they seem, Timmy. We seek the King. He arranges the path.”
Kingdom Thinking. Like Belteshazzar, we are pilgrims, seeking the King. He promises never to leave nor forsake us. He loves us with an everlasting love. Have you seen His Star? He waits for you.
Retelling of The Other Wise Man by Henry Van Dyke.