The Pulpit Commentary — Matthew — Volume 1 — Section 67

,lcricho, intending them all to be slain at bis death, that a general mourning mM1t be ,;ecured. We should bless God for our civil and religious liberties. (3) In Jerii'salem there were those vrho cc waited for the Consolation of Israel" (Luke ii. 25, 38), To these the news of the advent of Messiah would bring joy. He is not the trouble but the peace of the righteous. But how few were they? How few now, even in the Church, are cc looking for" the (second) nppearing of Christ? (4) 'l'he majority of the citizens would be troubled becnusc of their moral unfitness for the kingdom. The wicked ever have been, and still are, troubled at the thought of the fulfilment of Scrip- ture. How many Christian professors would be fearfully troubled did those signs now app,,ar in the hrnvcns which are to presage the great day of judgment (eh. xxiv. 29 30) 1 III. .As A GUIDE. 1. IJy it the Magi came to Jerusalem. (1) We do not aflirO:: that it moved before them in the h<'avens to point their way to Jerusalem. This does not appear to have bren the case. But the appearance of the star in the East set them upon trains of thought which determined them to go to Jerusalem as the place most likely in which to gd information concerning the King of the Jews. God does not work miracles to supersede the uses of reason. (2) The Magi were apprized as to the event of the Nati,;ty; now they desired to know its place. The more we know of Christ the more we want to know. The Magi supremely desired to find Mm. With knowledge concerning Christ we should never be satisfied until it leads us to himself. Has the Day-star arisen in your lwarts 1 (3) In Jerusalem they got instruction from the Scriptures. The Sanhedrin (see Bloomfield, in Zoe.), convened at the instance of Herod, turn up the Prophet Micah, who makes Bethlehem of Judah the favoured place (Micah v. 2). Thus, by the highest authority amongst the Jews was this most important public testimony borne, viz. That Jesus is the Christ. And this, too, through• the instrumentality of a tyrant who bad no such design. So God makes the wrath oi man to praise him. So does he make the selfishness of the wicked subserve his own benign purposes. 2. By it they were guided to Christ. (1) Now Che Magi are on their way to Bethlehem. What for? To find in a somewhat populous city the right Babe. They journeyed in faith, trusting that he who had hitherto prospered their way would guide them to the end. Note: Those who follow up the leadiDgs of providence will never lack a providence to lead them. (2) Behold the relief to their perplexity l The familiar star is again in sight. Lo, it moves I They follow. It stands over a dwelling. 'l'bose brightening scintillations proclaim that the heavenly Royalty is there. Note : It. was not reason that guided the Magi to Christ. Reason had its province, and will ever lia ve it. But the effectual guidance, first and last, was supernatural.. "No man can come to Christ except the Father draw him" (see John vi. 44, 45, 65). (3) "Exceed- ing great" was the "joy" of the Magi when they saw the star. It certified the Christ. Certitude to the truth-seeker is bliss. The bliss is intense as the truth is noble. Here the certainty had respect to Truth itself, essential Truth, all truth. Wise, indeed, were the men, and wise are those still, who find this philosopher's stone that transmutes all things iuto good. Good is better than gold.-J. A. M, "Vers. 11, 12.-Gentile worshippers. Guided by the providence of God, the devout scientists from the East, who inquired in Jerusalem for the King of the Jews, are arrived at Bethlehem. Now they enter the house of the carpenter. Let us also enter, that we may see and worship with them. I. Wn.a.T DO THEY BEE? 1. They behold the King of the Jews. (1) He is denoted hy tbe star. Some think it entered the dwelling and formed as a nimbus round the h.fa,,t's l,ead. This notion was ancient, and has suggested to painters their practice of depicting a glory surrounding the head of Jesus. The evidence in favour of this opinion is not very clear. The star sufficiently indicated the Prince of Israel as it stood blazing in the atmosphere directly over his dwelling. No palace was ever so- liououred as this humble residence. 'l'he "morning star" indicates the place and 1 ising of the sun. (2) He is denoted by the prophet. The passage cited from Micah Ly tbe Sanhedrin, together with the star, declared the Babe of Bethlehem to be the '' Ruler whose goings forth have been from the days of etemity." The greatness of Christ is conspicuous in his gentlenese. (3) He is denoted by the-angel. For the Magi were wnrued of God in a dream-presumably by the angel of the Lord who afterwards in a t.lr(:~m appeared to Joseph. Note: The testimony concerning the Me:.siahsbip of Jesus.  cm. 11, 1-23.] THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO ST, MATTIIEW, 55