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왕이 오셨다는 소식에 경배하러 온 이들이 있고, 경계하는 이들이 있습니다. 헤롯은 참된 왕을 죽이려고 혈안이 되었지만, 동방박사들은 큰 기쁨으로 왕을 알현하고 경배합니다.

[ 마태복음 2:1 - 2:12 ] (찬송105장)

1헤롯 왕 때에 예수께서 유대 베들레헴에서 나시매 동방으로부터 박사들이 예루살렘에 이르러 말하되 2유대인의 왕으로 나신 이가 어디 계시냐 우리가 동방에서 그의 별을 보고 그에게 경배하러 왔노라 하니 3헤롯 왕과 온 예루살렘이 듣고 소동한지라

 4왕이 모든 대제사장과 백성의 서기관들을 모아 그리스도가 어디서 나겠느냐 물으니 5이르되 유대 베들레헴이오니 이는 선지자로 이렇게 기록된 바 6또 유대 땅 베들레헴아 너는 유대 고을 중에서 가장 작지 아니하도다 네게서 한 다스리는 자가 나와서 내 백성 이스라엘의 목자가 되리라 하였음이니이다 7이에 헤롯이 가만히 박사들을 불러 별이 나타난 때를 자세히 묻고 8베들레헴으로 보내며 이르되 가서 아기에 대하여 자세히 알아보고 찾거든 내게 고하여 나도 가서 그에게 경배하게 하라

 9박사들이 왕의 말을 듣고 갈새 동방에서 보던 그 별이 문득 앞서 인도하여 가다가 아기 있는 곳 위에 머물러 서 있는지라 10그들이 별을 보고 매우 크게 기뻐하고 기뻐하더라 11집에 들어가 아기와 그의 어머니 마리아가 함께 있는 것을 보고 엎드려 아기께 경배하고 보배합을 열어 황금과 유향과 몰약을 예물로 드리니라 12그들은 꿈에 헤롯에게로 돌아가지 말라 지시하심을 받아 다른 길로 고국에 돌아가니라

[ Matthew 2:1 - 2:12 ]

1Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men 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 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.

Who is God like?

Thinking & Understanding

Jesus, who came as king of the Jews, was born in Bethlehem (vv. 1,4-6). The people who went to welcome and worship Jesus were Gentiles known as the wise men of the east. Their visit was a foreshadowing of Jesus’ rule extending beyond the Jewish world to include Gentiles (vv. 2, 9-11). Meanwhile, the Jews, who should have worshipped their king, were far from welcoming and responded with alarm. Herod even plotted to kill the newborn child. This was because he did not wish to lose his privileges (vv. 3, 7-8). But Herod’s wicked plan fell through due to God’s intervention (v. 12). 

V. 1 Jesus came to the people during an era of strict governance. Jesus was born in the outer region of Bethlehem during the rule of the tyrant King Herod and he was received by the wise men of the east. Jesus was born not as a person of power but into the midst of those who were struggling and disregarded. Are you a disciple who is following in his footsteps?

What lesson is God teaching me?

Vv. 4-6 Knowledge that does not extend to our lives is useless. The religious leaders knew exactly where Jesus had been born but they did not worship him. Is the Word that you are meditating on today simply ending as intellectual stimulation? Is your knowledge of God extending to worship and your knowledge of Jesus extending to a life of practicing love towards others?  

Prayer

Lord, help me to live worshipping you and following in your footsteps.