Matthew 2:12

Being warned of God in. dream.

Probably they were suspicious of Herod, for they could not fail to know his character, and asked God to guide them. He did so by. dream, and hence they avoided Jerusalem on their return.

PRACTICAL AND SUGGESTIVE.

The visit of the Magi is profoundly significant. They were the forerunners of the Gentile converts, and the whole section foreshadows the reception given to the gospel in apostolic times.

The brief story contained in this lesson has furnished the basis of many curious legends that are received by the superstitious. Faith finds many lessons in it. Heaven and Earth move, as it were, about the holy child as their center. He is so remote; so hidden, so disowned, yet near, discovered, and acknowledged by those who seek him; their search is helped not only by the Scriptures, but by nature and the most imperfect science; the awakening faith of the Gentiles and the slumbering unbelief of the Jews. The Star of Bethlehem is. beautiful symbol of the nobler aspirations of heathenism and of every soul towards the whom it points, and over whom it abides.-- Schaff.

In all the ages since then the world has needed only one thing--love. It was the need of yesterday, it is the need of to-day, it will be the need of to-morrow. The Star of Bethlehem has in it the music that soothes every savage and every sensual heart.

Where is the center of the world? Bethlehem. Pilgrims traveling through life stop at the inn of Bethlehem and give greeting to the new guest, and find good fare and good company. Let all go, with the wise men, worship and make offerings to the Young Child. He is. King, our King, The King of kings.

The birth of Jesus, "born king of the Jews," is the great event of time. The spiritual darkness which had covered the earth for four thousand years was about to be rolled away. The way to pardon and peace with God was about to be thrown open to mankind. The head of Satan was about to be bruised. Liberty was about to be proclaimed to the captives, and recovery of sight to the blind. The mighty truth was about to be proclaimed that God could be just and yet, for Christ's sake, justify the ungodly. Salvation was no longer to be seen through types and figures, but openly and face to face. The knowledge of God was no longer to be confined to the Jews but to be offered to the whole Gentile world. The days of heathenism were numbered. The first stone of God's kingdom was about to be set up. If this was not "good tidings" there never were tidings that deserved the name.-- Ryle.

POINTS FOR TEACHERS.

1. Seek to give. clear idea of the time when Christ was born;--paganism save in one little spot; the Roman Empire ruling the world; the wicked Herod in Judea. 2. Point to the wise men, strangers from afar, show on the map from whence they probably came; show who they were; their object in coming. 3. Observe their visit to Jerusalem; their inquiry; the reason they asked such. question; why they and the world expected. Christ. 4. Note the answer to their inquiry. The Scriptures point the way to Christ. They always do. "They are they which testify of me." "Of him have all the prophets borne witness." 5. Call out the crafty and diabolical purpose of Herod, his deceit; his ground of hate. 6. Point to the Star, the Star of Bethlehem, the Star that guides to Christ. God still gives beacons to show the way to the arms of safety. 7. See the Magi worshiping the babe; their offsprings. The little babe on mother's lap and gray haired and dignified strangers bowing before him and paying tribute. The significance of all this. 8. Impress on all the importance of following the Star that leads to Bethlehem, of worshiping the Babe, and of the following him in life's journey. 9. Contrast the three classes of character. 1. The Christ-hating Herod. 2. The Skeptical and Indifferent Priests. 3. The Devout Gentiles from the East.