matthew 2... a different kind of king

how did they know?  have you ever thought about that?  it's a question i've always had.  these wise men were gentiles, not jews.  they don't mention anything about studying the scriptures... just the stars.  based on a star they pack up some gifts and go to find the king of the jews and worship him.  so very odd.  so little is recorded about them.  did they know who they were really going to worship?  did they keep up on current events and know what later happened to this king they went and worshipped?

although i ask these questions, i've recently wondered what a 1st century jewish man would have been thinking as he read this chapter.  what is God doing?  i mean, isn't the messiah... the king of blessing and promise... for the jews?  how can Jesus be the one if the first people who come to worship the king (as recorded by matthew) are gentiles?  what is God trying to tell me?  could i have missed it?  is his kingdom for jews AND gentiles?  is it for those close AND far away?

better yet... what was mary thinking when these guys showed up?  what was joseph thinking?  they both had visions about Jesus.  did they expect this?  what was it like having some men from the east show up with gifts and worship your child?  i would love to have seen their faces.

this chapter brings up a lot of questions for me.  but one thing is certain... this was a different kind of king... and a different kind of kingdom.

side note: anyone noticed how many prophecies have been fulfilled in just two chapters?