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T H E K I N G ' S B U S I N E S S
December, 1934
TheChristmas Quest By MERRILL C. TENNEY* Boston, Massachusetts “Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we saw his star in the east, and are come to worship him” (Matt. 2 ;2).
I nto the city of Jerusalem one day long ago rode a small group of travelers. Hot and dusty from the day’s journey, they were ready for rest; but stronger than their weariness was the urge of the quest that had brought them there. Their first concern was not for the nearest inn, but for an answer to the question: “Where is he that is born King of the Jews?” Why should they be so interested in the birth of a King to a nation that had lost its cause and practically its in dependence? What m o tiv a te d them to leave their distant homes and to travel the tiresome journey over mountain, desert, and plain to make an inquiry like this ? The quest of these men is a testi mony to the fact that man is dis contented at heart, and is seeking something or Someone outside of himself to satisfy his deepest longings. These men were Magi, students of nature and of ancient lore. They possessed w e a l t h , learning, s o c ia l p o s itio n , and power. They belonged to the priv ileged class. Some tremendous mo tive must have impelled them to this effort. Evidently, they were spiritually enlightened. Perhaps some frag ment of primitive revelation lin gered in their sacred books to in form them of God’s ancient prom ise that, in His own time, a De liverer would come forth from the home of His people. Possibly the utterance of Balaam, himself an Eastern prophet, was known to them: “I see him, but not now ; I behold him, but not nigh; There shall come forth a star out of Jacob, And a sceptre shall rise out of Israel, And shall smite through the corners of Moab, And break down all the sons of tumult.” (Num. 24:17.) Whatever the source of their information may have been, the Magi put implicit faith in the rev elation that had been vouchsafed *Assistant Professor of Greek and New Testament Interpretation, Gordon College of Theology and Missions.
to them. Convinced that the un usual star in the sky betokened the birth of the coming King, they set out on their journey to find the answer to their cherished hopes. Not contented with their learning, eminence, and possessions, they sought for Him who is the Desire of all nations, with full confidence that the search was imperative, and that it would be amply rewarded. Their quest was, therefore, A Q uest of C onviction These men were moved by the assurance that the message which they had heard of a coming King, and the portent of an exceptionally brilliant star blazing in the heavens, were both divinely sent. So certain were they of this divine origin, that they staked life and fortune on their conviction. They believed that God had a revelation for them; and with open mind and heart they re solved to trace it as far as they could, in order that the blessing might be theirs. It was a matter of tremendous consequence to them. Small as was the truth that they possessed, feeble as was the light that illumined their road, they de voted their fullest energies to this quest. So great was their longing for the realization of the purpose of God, that they could not rest un til they had put their conviction into action. Contemporary with them we find those whose quest, stimulated by theirs, was utterly different in motive and in action. To Herod, the Christmas quest was one of enmity. He sought the young Child that he might destroy Him. Under the guise of a simu lated devotion, he masked a savage hatred. The promise and presence of the infant King were gall and wormwood to his soul because they threatened the security of his throne and exposed the selfishness of his life. His sole interest was in ridding himself of a possible rival; and because of his insane jealously and murderous intent, he was ex cluded from sharing the quest of the Wise Men. This feeling, unfortunately, did not die with Herod. Those to whom the Lord Jesus Christ is rival rather
★ B EHOLD, Wise-men from the east came to Jerusalem saying, Where we saw his star in the east, and are come to worship him. And when Herod the Icing heard it, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. And gathering together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Christ should be born. And they said unto him, In Bethlehem of Judaea: for thus it is written through the prophet . . . Then Herod privily called the.Wise- men, and learned of them exactly what time the star appeared. And he sent them to Bethlehem, and said, Go and search out exactly concerning the young child; and when ye have found him, bring me word, that I also may come and wor ship him. And they, having heard the king, went their way; and lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was. And when they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy. And they came into the house and saw the young child with Mary his mother; and they fell down and wor shipped him; and opening their treas ures they offered unto him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh.
is he that is born King of the Jews? for
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