The Life of Christ

• Some have suggested that Ps. 68:29 and Ps. 72:10-11 prophesy of this event.

Apparently, they had been following this mysterious star for about two years, based upon the report they gave Herod in verse 16.

• "…and he (Herod) sent forth and put to death all the male children who were in Bethlehem and in all its districts, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had determined from the wise men" (Mt. 2:16).

• The star must have first appeared around the time of Jesus’ birth. It probably appeared that very night, but it was not seen by anyone in Jerusalem; only the wise men saw the star.

• The Spirit then put an understanding and a desire in their hearts to follow this star, which would lead them to the new King of Israel.

Mt. 2:2 “Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we saw His star in the east and have come to worship Him.”

What actually was the star that led the wise men to Jerusalem and ultimately Bethlehem?

• Every effort imaginable has been suggested to strip away anything that could be considered miraculous.

• The thinking man’s best effort is to suggest that this bright star was a conjunction of Jupiter with the star Regulus, which was the brightest star in the constellation of Leo. Another possible conjunction was when Jupiter and Venus were thought to merge.

• According to astronomy charts, there were indeed some unique conjunctions that did take place around the birth of Christ, but were they “the star?”

There are four reasons why a planetary conjunction could not have been what led the wise men.

• First, this star appeared in and out of view for two years. When planets converge, a brilliant celestial image only lasts for a matter of hours.

• Secondly, there is no record of anyone seeing the star other than the magi. Those who have researched this event over the centuries have been unable to produce one written account from any eyewitness to the star, other than the wise men. • A third reason why this couldn’t have been a planetary conjunction is the fact that the star changed direction. The star led them due west to Jerusalem, but on the second leg of its journey, it turned south toward Bethlehem. • The final reason why this was not a planetary conjunction is that the star became a moving object that proceeded in front of the magi. Verse 9 says, “the star went before them,” which in the Greek implies motion on the part of the star.

So, if this star was not some natural conglomeration of planets, what was it?

• It was most likely a supernatural physical manifestation of the Holy Spirit seen only by the magi. There is definite biblical precedent for the Holy Spirit appearing as a tangible object.

• When Jesus was baptized the Holy Spirit came upon Him as a dove, this time only seen by John and Jesus. We also remember the handwriting that appeared on the wall in Dan. 5:24-29, written by a tangible finger. Lk. 11:20 and Mt. 12:28 combine together to show that the Holy Spirit is the “finger of God.”

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